Jon Cokefair: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Lake VillaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake H.S. D127Age: 47Family: Married 25 years,3 children 2 in college, 1 child in our high schoolOccupation: Battalion Chief for the Grayslake Fire Protection District where I have proudly served for the last 20 years.Education: Some College, Illinois State University and CLC.Numerous State Certifications in Firefighter, Specialized Rescue,EMS and Command Operations.Civic involvement: In the past I have enjoyed coaching youth sports for Grayslake Colts and Grayslake Youth Lacrosse groups.Elected offices held: I have served on the District 127 school board for the last 3.5 years (1 full term)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I would have to say I have no issues, just goals. Most importantly is maintaining a SAFE positive environment that supports a progressive learning atmosphere.Key Issue 2 My second goal would be to encourage our community to make a point to come to a board meeting to listen, speak, and try to understand the process. Don't hide behind your blogs and anonymous comments, take the time to be apart of the solution.Key Issue 3 Third goal, maintain our staffing levels while keeping our expenditures to the minimum.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?Thanks to our teachers,staff,and students we have a fantastic program that helps transition our students from elementary to high school. As for moving forward to post high school, I feel we can't do enough to prepare our students for the future. I believe our teachers and staff do their best to prepare our students in the ever changing post high school environment.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?Our biggest issue is the states inability to pay us on time. Recently they have been better, but we all are aware of the state of our state. Funding can be CUT or DELAYED at any time. Our current board and our administration have maintained a near zero spending increase.In these times we are just maintaining the essentials. Finally,I would support a tax increase if it was required to maintain the educational level our children are receiving.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.We have so many great teachers in our district. These are people, leading our children into so many different aspects and adventures dealing with their future. Both experienced and new have so much to offer. Our teachers and staff are in a union. I support our teachers and staff.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?As a current board member, it is not our practice to discuss any contract talks.Just know that I will do my best to do what I feel is right to protect our district and community.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?I would say I would deal with any retirement within the boundaries of the state laws.