Changes are coming to the Heartland Community College Board after the April 7 election. The two incumbents whose terms are expiring, Cindy Brand and Christina Rogers, are not seeking re-election.

Three challengers are vying for those two seats - Terry Baggett of Bloomington, John Copes of Heyworth and Craig Gatto of Normal. The district includes parts of McLean, Logan, Livingston, DeWitt and Ford counties.

It is good to see voters presented with a choice in this election.

The three candidates have different perspectives and different outlooks on the future of Heartland. Members of The Pantagraph Editorial Board met with each candidate individually before deciding to endorse Copes and Gatto for Heartland Community College Board.

Copes, a retired Navy commander working as a building operating engineer at Illinois State University, will be a good steward of the taxpayers' money while also focusing on keeping Heartland affordable for its students.

He has done his homework on budget issues. His understanding of those issues and his demonstrated ability to keep an open mind - making decisions based on facts - are assets in a board member.

He also wants to see more openness, accountability and public discussion on the board - which is overdue. Noting the time spent in closed sessions, Copes said, "this isn't national security."

Gatto, a professor of biology at ISU, is upfront about his priority being "what's best for the students." He describes himself as a strong supporter of the college and has been pleased with the level of preparation he has seen in students who have transferred from Heartland to ISU to continue their education.

With the recession, he expects even more students to turn to community colleges such as Heartland and wants them provided with the best educational environment while also keeping education costs down.

Baggett taught computer science at Heartland for 10 years and was heavily involved with the adjunct professors' union, including two years as its president. He is no longer affiliated with the college.

He seems to have a negative attitude toward the college and expressed a desire make a "clean sweep" of the current administration from top to bottom, starting with President Jon Astroth.

Baggett refers to the college straying from its "core mission" but he defines that mission very narrowly. Having strong opinions without a willingness to listen to other points of view is not beneficial.

The public would be best served by the election of John Copes and Craig Gatto to the Heartland Community College Board.