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For D.C. Board of Education

Despite disappointing performances by both sides of the sharply divided D.C. Board of Education, the 11-member body nonetheless is a key to turning around a troubled school system. With two at-large seats and seats in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6 up for grabs, Tuesday's general election offers District voters a chance to select a better caliber of board members. In our view, the city will be best served by electing Tonya Kinlow and Robert Childs to at-large seats, Wilma Harvey in Ward 1, Don Reeves in Ward 3, Janice Denise Smith Autrey in Ward 5 and Benjamin Bonham in Ward 6.

At-Large (vote for two): These two seats are being vacated by school board President Karen Shook and member Valencia Mohammed -- leaders of opposing wings of the board. We have supported Mrs. Shook in all her previous election bids, and we often have differed with Mrs. Mohammed's stance on important educational issues. But in this instance, we think both are doing the right thing in leaving the board. Mrs. Shook's uncritical embrace of Superintendent Franklin Smith's every action and her open disdain for the board's minority came to severely limit her effectiveness as board president. Mrs. Mohammed's inclination to often view issues through a racial prism have done neither her nor the school system any good.

Tonya Vidal Kinlow and Robert Childs should be outstanding replacements. Mrs. Kinlow is a reform-minded parent, former PTA president and experienced policy analyst who knows her way around educational issues and the city's political and public-affairs community. The Rev. Childs knows the city's schools as a parent, volunteer, religious and community leader. Both have balance, vision, a commitment to public education and broad local support.

Ward 1: Wilma Harvey, the incumbent, is far and away the superior candidate in this two-person race. That is especially true given her opponent's complete lack of experience. While often found on the other side of the reform wing, Mrs. Harvey nonetheless is a hardworking board member who deserves reelection. She is hardly the disruptive, figure of fun her reform-wing opponents have unfairly made her out to be.

Ward 3: Don Reeves, educator and parent, stands out in a very competitive three-way race to fill the seat being vacated by Erika Landberg. Mr. Reeves has the hands-on school experience of opponent Howard Grimmett and the enthusiasm and savvy of challenger David Yassky. Ward 3 council member Kathy Patterson recognizes that potent combination and has endorsed Mr. Reeves. He's a good choice.

Ward 5: Janice Denise Smith Autrey. The general feeling is that incumbent Angie Corley, after many years of pedestrian service, has run out of steam. Parents and children in the ward need an active representative who is up to date on the school system's problems and how to solve them. While Mrs. Autrey did not display the sense of urgency we expected in a challenger, we believe her commitment to educational reform and willingness to work for it gives her the nod over Mrs. Corley.

Ward 6: Benjamin Bonham. Voters will do themselves and District children a big favor by replacing incumbent Bernard Gray with Mr. Bonham. Mr. Gray has spent his time on the board behaving as if "cooperation" and "consensus" are dirty words. He takes pride in having been on the losing side on many important issues. Mr. Bonham -- a District native, former high school All American, honors graduate of Southern University, parent of school-age children and community leader -- brings a different approach. He is interested primarily in holding the system accountable for preparing District youngsters to get ahead in today's competitive world. Mr. Bonham was a unsuccessful challenger before, this time we hope he makes it. The board can use his leadership, experience and vision.