Orland 135 United Party Announces Slate of Candidates

Current School Board President Joe La Margo, School Board Member Gregory Okon and newcomer Angie Sexton are running as a slate and vying for three seats on the District 135 Board of Education in the upcoming April election.

“We hope to continue forward with the positive momentum that we have built,” said La Margo. “ I would be honored to continue helping to sustain the progress of the district by remaining part of the school board.”

Joe La Margo was elected to the Orland District 135 School Board in 2011. He has served as board president since 2013.

During his first term, La Margo was instrumental in opening the lines of communication with parent organizations, creating parent advisory boards for technology, food and wellness and special education, expanding the district’s safety initiatives, establishing a fund balance policy, implementing one-on-one technology for students and has become known for his insistence on never voting to increase taxes for residents.

“It’s simple,” said La Margo, “We have always had a more than plentiful fund balance, so I saw no reason for increasing the levy and demanding more funds from taxpayers.”

La Margo has more than 20 years of government experience on the state, county and municipal levels of government. He currently serves as the Public Information Officer/Deputy Village Clerk for Orland Park. He holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership in Public Policy from Lewis University and a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Economics from Loyola University. He is a graduate of Marist High School. La Margo and his wife, Melissa, have four children, two of whom currently attend District 135 schools.

Gregory Okon will run alongside La Margo. Okon was appointed to the board in 2013 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of former board president John Carmody and hopes to remain on the board for another term. This is Okon’s second time around on the board where he served from April 2007 through April 2011.

Okon is currently the Director of Public Safety for Palos Community Hospital after retiring as an Orland Park Police Commander, providing over 30 years of service to his community.

“I enjoy making a positive impact on the community in which I live,” said Okon. “The safety of the children while in school is a top priority for the school board and I am glad to be able to bring my expertise in public safety to the table.”

Okon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Social Justice and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management from Lewis University.

Okon and his wife of 40 years, Mary Kay, have four grown children who all attended District 135 schools and are the grandparents of six.

Newcomer Angie Sexton offers a wealth of public school related knowledge and experience. As an educator, educational consultant and early interventionist, Sexton has a unique perspective regarding children’s educational and emotional needs.

“As a parent and community member of District 135, I have been very pleased with the direction and vision the board has adopted over the past two years,” said Sexton. “My husband, Eddie, and I made the choice to move to Orland Park as our children were approaching school age. Our biggest priority was to have access to quality education for them, in turn, leading us to District 135.”

Sexton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, licensure in both Elementary and Early Childhood Classroom Teaching and a credential for developmental therapy in the Illinois Early Intervention System.

Sexton and husband, Eddie, have three children currently attending District 135 schools.

“As a parent, educator and taxpayer I am fully invested in ensuring that all of our children get the education they deserve, teachers get the resources they need and our community has an educational system to be proud of.”

Questions regarding 135 United can be directed to 135united@gmail.com