Meet Lincoln-Way D210 Board Of Ed Candidate: Joseph Kosteck

FRANKFORT, IL — Joseph Kosteck is one of five candidates running for three open positions on the Lincoln-Way Community High School Board of Education. Kosteck is an attorney, and has served as the board president since 2019.

Kosteck recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: Joseph Kosteck

Age (as of Election Day): 48

Town/city of residence: Frankfort

School district: Lincoln-Way District 210

Family:

Cooper, 14 a freshman at LW East and Allison, 13, an 8th grader at Hickory Creek Middle School in Frankfort

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

B.A. in Finance Loyola University 1990, J.D. The John Marshall Law School 1997

Occupation:

Attorney for the past 23 years

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

I was appointed to the Lincoln-Way District 210 School Board in 2016. I was elected in 2017 and served as Vice President until 2019. I have served as School Board President since 2019.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the single most pressing issue facing the district is the need to restructure existing bond debt. In the coming years, the tax burden will increase to our community as we pay off the bonds used to finance the expansion of Lincoln-Way Central and East, and the building of Lincoln-Way North and West. With our favorable interest rate environment, coupled with our improved bond rating, we continue to work to restructure the debt in such a way that we can lengthen the time to repay the bond debt without increasing the overall debt to the taxpayers. We have already begun this process but the next round of bonds to be restructured is coming up in the next year or so.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe the critical difference between the current board members, including myself and the challengers is that the current board has proven its ability to get the job done. Our record speaks for itself. We have worked to fulfill our promise to the community. I will continue to do so if re-elected. My skillset as an attorney with a background in finance lends itself well to many of the board's most pressing issues.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I continue with the same promises and platform since first seeking and winning election to this board. I wish to do my part to maintain and improve our academic excellence, promote fiscal accountability, and preserve the district's excellent reputation.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The progress that I, along with the rest of the board, have made during the last four years in restoring fund balances, running budget surpluses, eliminating the need for tax anticipation warrants, the restructuring of long term debt, coupled with the improving academic excellence we enjoy in district 210 is ample evidence that I can continue to handle this job as I have for the last five years.

Why should voters trust you?

The voters should trust me because I have done my part over the last four years to do exactly what I said I would do. I have worked to maintain and grow our academic excellence, promoted fiscal accountability, and maintained the district's excellent reputation. Four years ago the district was borrowing money (tax anticipation warrants) just to make payroll. I, along with the rest of the board, faculty, and staff have worked tirelessly to restore fund balances, eliminate the need for tax anticipation warrants, drastically improve our bond rating, and run budget surpluses. We were able to do this all while not only maintaining, but improving the academic excellence we enjoy in District 210. I am proud to have done my part to contribute to the progress this district has made in the last four years. I believe the voters see the progress from where we were four years ago to where we are now. I hope they will trust me to continue to do my part to stay on this positive path.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

In addition to the completion of our fiscal recovery, the successful return of students to full in person learning while implementing 1 to 1 technology would make this term a success.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

As a board member, I am a steward of the taxpayer dollars. It is important that every dollar we spend is done so in such a way that promotes fiscal accountability. The voters only need to look at the financial picture of our district from four years ago compared to where we are now to see that I, along with the rest of the board, have acted responsibly with taxpayer dollars.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support every person's and organization's right to free speech and to peacefully protest. However, I do not support any demonstrations that break down into violence and property destruction.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I believe the board has done enough to promote racial equality.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

I believe the district has done its absolute best to adhere to the guidelines established by the CDC and the IDPH. I would like to see all students return to in person learning as soon as we are safely able to do so. I believe everyone who is able should wear a mask to help stop the spread of the virus.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I believe people should be vaccinated if they can be. The faculty and staff at Lincoln-Way District 210 have already been offered, and most have received the vaccine.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Show up and do the work.