Meet CHSD 218 School Board Candidate Bob Stokas

OAK LAWN, IL -- Robert “Bob” Stokas is seeking reelection to the CHSD 218 Board of Education, in Subdistrict 6, which covers a portion of Oak Lawn. Stokas is a hearing officer in the domestic relations division at the Sixth Municipal District Courthouse in Markham.

Dist. 218 oversees Richards (Oak Lawn), Shepard (Palos Heights) and Eisenhower (Blue Island). A new school board will be chosen in the April 2 municipal elections. Following are Stokas’ answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire.

Name: Robert “Bob” Stokas
Age: 41
Education: B.S./Bachelor of Science (cum laude), 1999, Loyola University Chicago. J.D./Juris Doctor, 2002, Loyola University Chicago School of Law LL.M./Master of Laws in Child and Family Law, 2003, Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Occupation: Attorney. Currently serving as a Hearing Officer for the Circuit Court of Cook County/Office of the Chief Judge in the Domestic Relations Division at the Markham Courthouse. Former Prosecutor/Assistant State's Attorney at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (where I advocated for the support of children and families as a supervising attorney).

Activities/civic Involvement: Manager/Oak Lawn Baseball; Official Timer for NCAA basketball games at Loyola University; Men's Club Member at Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Guest Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Family background: Wife: Rachael (Attorney), Children: Mary, 10 and Jimmy, 8

Campaign Contact: reelectbobstokas218@yahoo.com or 708-822-0674

Why are you running for the Dist. 218 school board? What skills, qualifications and experience do you bring to the office?

I am running for re-election to the CHSD 218 Board of Education to continue to represent all of our residents with competence, conscience, and compassion. I am a licensed attorney, and currently work for the Circuit Court of Cook County/Office of the Chief Judge as a Hearing Officer in the Domestic Relations Division at the Markham Courthouse. I previously was a Prosecutor/Assistant State’s Attorney for twelve years in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office where I advocated for the support of children and families as a supervising attorney. From an early age my parents instilled the importance of education in me. I was the first person in my Union family to attend college and law school. I bring four years of hands-on experience on this Board. I understand that quality schools equals safer neighborhoods and higher property values. I have worked hard to fight for our students, families, and taxpayers, and want to continue working on behalf of all of our residents. I am proud to be endorsed by the CHSD 218 Teachers' Union and Custodial/Maintenance Workers' Union.

What do you see as the board’s role and responsibilities?

A School Board’s role is to establish rules and policies for the governance of the School District. The Board also clarifies for the Superintendent, the intent of the Board and actions necessary for implementation of Board policy. A School Board’s only hire is the Superintendent. The Board has a responsibility to evaluate the Superintendent, and pass a balanced budget. At CHSD 218, we have a long list of “goals” for our Superintendent that he must meet. It is the job of the School Board to hold the Superintendent accountable. Thankfully at CHSD 218, we have a tremendous and caring Superintendent, who has a great team of administrators working with him. A major responsibility of the Board is to establish priorities for the financial management of the District. As a Board Member, I have fought and voted against tax increases and bloated budgets. I recently spearheaded the property tax relief grant that will save our taxpayers nearly $6 million.

What role does policy play/have in the functioning of the board?

The CHSD 218 Board of Education has a comprehensive board policy that can be found on the CHSD 218. Policy is set by the Board of Education and implemented by the Superintendent and his staff. At CHSD 218, our Board and Superintendent work very well together as a team. One of our policies is educating the “whole child.” At CHSD 218, we are elected from subdistricts, but represent the entire District. Any policy decisions must be made in the best interests of all of our constituents.

Do think board members/the board should have a role in the day-to-day operation of the district? Can you/should you support a board decision that you were not in favor of?

No. One of first things a Board Member learns in “new Board Member training,” is that a Board Member should watch from “the balcony.” A School Board Member should provide leadership to the Superintendent and staff, and establish policy for the District. A Board Member should not step into the role of an administrator. A Board and Superintendent have clearly defined roles, and those roles should be respected for proper governance of the District. Our Superintendent does a tremendous job of keeping the Board updated of any issues that we need to be aware of. Moreover, I personally visit the schools, and have an open line of communication with various stakeholders.

What is your vision for education in the D218 community?

My vision for the District is clearly stated in the Strategic Plan that I worked on with my fellow Board Members and approved. The Strategic Plan is a comprehensive document that represents the District’s mission, objectives, strategies, values, and beliefs. It is a guiding document for all decisions made in CHSD 218 – a road map for where we want to be in the future. The CHSD 218 strategic plan is available here.

Do you think Dist. 218 is on the right track? Why or why not?

Absolutely. All of our three major high schools are ranked in the top 100 in the State of Illinois. Our Board and administration have plans to improve, and this is set forth in the Superintendent’s goals and our strategic plan.

If elected, what three steps would you take to put the school district on firmer financial footing?

Our District has received the State’s highest financial rating for the past 14 years.

1. Continue to employ a competent and knowledgeable Business Manager. Our Business Manager is a tireless worker, who has a sound understanding of school finances.
2. Continue to fight and vote against bloated budgets, and the automatic yearly tax levy increase.
3. Explore alternative sources of funding for our District (such as our recently approved property tax relief grant that we were awarded, in the amount of nearly $6 million), and work with our State Representative, Kelly Burke, to keep the tax relief in place for years to come.

What would you do to make the school district more accessible to parents, students, faculty and community members? How would you involve stakeholders in the district’s decision-making process?

I believe that the community needs to be more informed of District meetings, and especially budget hearings. Every year, our public budget hearings are not well attended. We will work with our local press, social media, and local elected officials in our Villages to publicize these meetings and encourage the public to take a more active role. Our taxpayers are being taxed out of their homes, and yet, no one shows up for our public budget hearings. We need to better utilize the press, social media, and the school digital signs to promote important events. Schools need to balance accessibility with safety. We need to make sure that every person in our school has a legitimate reason to be there. Our Board recently approved new security entrances and new state of the art security cameras.

How would you handle teacher-contract or other union negotiations as a school board member?

Very simply, by continuing to employ competent, ethical, local, cost conscious attorneys, who negotiate with the various collective bargaining groups and non-represented groups. An open line of communication between the Board and the various Unions is essential. The Board and staff must work together to provide quality education, while being fiscally responsible. I am proud to have voted against tax increases, and still received the endorsement of our teachers’ union and maintenance and custodial workers’ union. One can be Union strong and fiscally responsible. I am proud to be both.

If you could change one thing about district policy, what would that be?

That we STOP the cycle of automatic tax increases every year. I truly feel that there should be a greater effort to reduce our spending. Our District and other government are under the belief to “spend the same as last year PLUS.” While tax increases may be necessary as costs increase every year, there is no need to raise the levy to the highest amount possible every year. I have voted against this and will continue to do so. To see my history of speaking out against this practice, please refer to prior board meeting minutes and/or search my name on the internet to view media stories that quote me standing up for you, the overburdened taxpayer.

What do you consider to be Dist. 218’s greatest assets?

The “family” of CHSD 218 – the parents, students, teachers, administrators, staff, alumni, coaches, and community members. Our District is made up of people that truly care about our schools. We have been very fortunate to keep politicians and politics out of our schools and out of our administration. CHSD is truly a special place to work and learn.