Our Viewpoint: Willey is best choice for Eden Prairie Schools

Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:53 PM CDT

Editorial endorsements are a touchy subject. Ask the odd man out of the pickup basketball game or the candidates not mentioned in this editorial: it sucks not being chosen.

A well-staffed newspaper like the Star Tribune has an editorial board that makes decisions on endorsements. That board is purposefully kept separate from the reporters who cover candidates so the institutional voice of the paper can make bold and courageous decisions and the reporters can maintain their independence.

But a small paper like the Sun-Current doesn't have that luxury, so the reporter who covers the campaign and the school board itself must also make decisions about which candidates are most worthy of the public's trust.

We tell you this because we think you should know how we came to endorse the candidate we have chosen. The Sun-Current is fully aware that this makes future coverage of the school board at least slightly more difficult.

In the end, newspapers don't vote. If you agree with our endorsement, great. If you don't, it's just as well.

The people of Eden Prairie have the responsibility and privilege of choosing their leaders, and we hope they take the time to make an informed decision. That's why we do the Voter's Guide.

Having said all that, the Sun-Current believes there are no bad candidates in this race, but Rob Willey would best serve the people of Eden Prairie.

The differences between the eight other candidates are minimal. They all say the right things and the ones who are elected will be fine additions to the Eden Prairie School Board.

But none of them, in interviews with the Sun-Current, could match Willey's clear-eyed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the district or the challenges it will face in the coming years.

Willey said it best: "If you are happy with the system and want zero changes to it, and the role of the board is to rubber stamp the administration, you do not want to vote for me. If you want critical questions - not being critical - thoughtful questions, deeper debate, more transparency, more accountability, then you would vote for me."

The Sun-Current feels very strongly that Willey is the best choice among a field of nine strong candidates. Many candidates will tell you they're "outside the box" thinkers; Willey proved it moments into the conversation. His refreshingly forward-looking ideas will challenge the status quo in a constructive and productive way. Eden Prairie is fortunate to have him as a candidate.