Meet Lincoln-Way D210 Board Of Education Candidate: Aaron Janik

NEW LENOX, IL — Aaron Janik is one of five candidates running for three open positions on the Lincoln-Way Community High School Board of Education. He is the current vice president for the board, and has been on the board since 2017.

Janik 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: Aaron Janik

Age (as of Election Day): 43

Town/City of residence: Mokena

School District: Lincoln-Way Community High School District No. 210

Family: Molly, Luke (Lincoln-Way Central Class of '21), Madison (second grade), and William (kindergarten).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education: B.S. History Northern Illinois University (2001), J.D.The John Marshall Law School (2008), L.L.M. -- Employee Benefits The John Marshall Law School (2019)

Occupation: Attorney, 13 years

Campaign website: N/A

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Current -- Lincoln Way 210 School Board (Secretary 2017-2019, Vice-President (2019-Present), Previous -- Mokena 159 School Board (2013-2017)

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

If I had to pick one issue that the Board needs to address it is the long-term bond debt. That being said a plan has already been put in place by the current Board to address that issue and there is a certain time frame that must be followed when addressing that issue. Following the plan that has been put in place will be key.

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

I think my background in labor relations and ability to build consensus among all constituencies is the critical difference between myself and other candidates.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I want to maintain the current reputation of the District, ensuring students receive a high quality education, while continuing to improve on the District's financial position.

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

I have been on the Lincoln Way 210 School Board since 2017. At the time I joined the Board, the District was mired in a precarious financial situation. The District was using short term borrowing (Tax Anticipation Warrants (TAWS)) to maintain operations. Over the course of the past four years the District has reduced its use of TAWS and projections point to the District not needing any TAWS in the current fiscal year. Additionally, the District has put in place a plan to address long-term bond debt over the next few years. Those financial constraints have not come at the expense of the overall level of education provided to the students. This is a testament to not only current Board members but the staff at Lincoln Way; teachers, support staff, maintenance, and administration. Moreover, the current Board is looking to move to a 1:1 model with respect to technology. The move to a 1:1 model should occur very soon. The move to a 1:1 model will ensure our students receive a high quality education which is evidenced by all three schools being rated exemplary and having some of the highest, if not the highest, test scores in all of Will County.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters only need to look at my record while serving on the Lincoln Way 210 School Board the past four years to know they can trust me to act as a good steward of District resources.

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

Moving to a 1:1 model and continuing to improve on the financial end of things.

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

As a steward of taxpayer dollars I, along with the other Board members, need to ensure we are spending those funds in a prudent manner keeping in mind we are there to ensure students receive a high-quality education.

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 individuals/organizations rights to address issues important to them in a meaningful way. When addressing those issues turns violent and property is destroyed, people are injured, and lives are lost it detracts from the overall message.

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 current board has done enough to support 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?

This has been a year unlike any other and I think the District has done a great job in working through the myriad of issues it has had to deal with. I am in favor of the current hybrid approach the District is utilizing. Masks should be utilized by everyone who is medically able to do so as we try to make our way out of this situation.

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

I believe as many people as possible should be vaccinated to the extent that they can. Staff have already been offered the opportunity to be vaccinated.

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

At this time I cannot think of a reason I would not serve my full term of office other than the health of myself or someone in my family.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Treat others as you want to be treated.