School board endorsements: Linn-Mar

Linn-Mar Community School District voters have a very tough decision among high-quality candidates on Tuesday to fill three school board slots.

We believe incumbent Bob Crawford and board newcomers Tina Patterson and Todd Hutcheson are the best choices.

Crawford has served nine years on the board and makes a compelling argument that he still has many goals to accomplish, including playing a key role in guiding the creation of a new strategic plan for district academic standards.

With two other incumbents leaving the board, Crawford's experience, including three years as board president, will be valuable.

Crawford's rival candidates said repeatedly during our interview session that the current board has made sound decisions for the district. That only enhances Crawford's case for re-election.

Patterson has been involved with Linn-Mar schools for 15 years through an impressive list of volunteer efforts, including service as executive director of the Linn-Mar School Foundation and as a substitute teacher.

Patterson clearly knows the district inside and out, is committed to sustaining its “hometown feel” and high standards and wants to see Linn-Mar match its curriculum with students' needs in a changing world.

Hutcheson, who has worked in various capacities at Rockwell Collins for 25 years, brings an outsider's perspective as a human resources executive who wants students to be well equipped for a competitive global economy.

Hutcheson also has been active in the school district, including as a PTO president, and comes from a family with what he calls “a passion” for education. His father, mother, brother and wife each worked as teachers.

Hutcheson advocates for breaking down “old boundaries” to alow greater cooperation with other educational and community institutions.

And he scored points by arguing that the board should opt for openness when faced with difficult decisions.

All three candidates, based on our interviews, would provide prudent, steady leadership to a district that's already well positioned academically and financially.

To their credit, Crawford, Patterson and Hutcheson also are not content to maintain the status quo.