World-Herald editorial: A ‘yes’ to Chang

In District 3 of the Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community, residents will be voting for one candidate. Once the ballots are totalled, the top two vote-getters will be seated on the Learning Community Coordinating Council.

Four people are competing in District 3, which includes all of the Westside and Ralston school districts and part of Omaha Public Schools.

We give one candidate — Lorraine Chang, an incumbent — a very enthusiastic recommendation. Chang, a former attorney with Union Pacific, ranks as perhaps the hardest working member on the council. She is energetic and thoughtful and explains issues in clear language.

Chang provides the strongest analysis and recommendations we’ve heard from a candidate in regard to the elementary learning centers. She explains that the centers are to be flexible and bring together a variety of services to aid students and their families.

Chang focuses on having the learning community identify best practices that are proved to encourage improved student achievement.

Two other candidates in this contest exhibit positive qualities, but we find these two candidates to be a toss-up.

Jack Heidel, the head of the math department the University of Nebraska at Omaha, deserves strong praise for putting together a tremendously impressive candidate website. For weeks, Heidel jotted down questions from voters during his door-to-door visits. He then put those questions online at his website and provided his answers.

We find Heidel to have a commendably balanced approach to the learning community — he supports it but is firm in pressing for efficiencies. At the same time, we find his ability to communicate his thoughts orally to be less than stellar.

Candidate Patrick McPherson, in contrast, demonstrates excellent communication skills in analyzing issues, and he has an impressive background of energetic, capable service on civic boards. At the same time, if he is elected it’s unclear whether he would seek to help or undermine the learning community.

In the District 3 contest, therefore, the one candidate we give unqualified support to is Lorraine Chang.

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