Six running for Hononegah High School Board of Education seats

By Jean Seegers and Marianne Mueller
REPORTERS
Six candidates are running for one of four seats on the Hononegah Board of Education. Four are seeking reelection; each with terms expiring in 2017. Two newcomers are hoping to gain board seats. Dave Kurlinkus will remain Board of Education President until his term expires in 2019. Mary Lewis retains her seat until 2019.
Diane LaForge
LaForge has been a member of the school board for 12 years. She is currently chairman of the Building & Grounds Committee. LaForge said her short-term goal is the construction and completion of the fieldhouse. “There is a continuing need for repairs and upgrades to the building,” she said. “The student population continues to grow, and our physical facility is aging.”
LaForge decided to run for a position on the school board after the 2004 teachers’ strike. “It got me riled up,” she said. “I decided to stop complaining and do something about it.”
LaForge was born and raised in Orangeville, Ill. She and her family moved to Rockton because of the superior education opportunities. Her three children are graduates of Hononegah High School. She recently retired from a 23 year career as a Rockton School District Nurse.
Since her retirement, she and a group of friends have been involved in creating 55 North, a community center for active seniors.
LaForge said she hopes to continue her commitment to the district for another four years.
Scott Wallace
Wallace has been involved in local government for several years. From 1999 through 2008, he served on the Rockton Village Zoning Board and the village board. He said he is running for a position on the school board because he wants to contribute his experience, knowledge and depth in community and tax-funded entities. “I have always had an interest in Hononegah High School. “It’s a great school. I am a Hononegah graduate, as are my kids.”
“I am concerned about how the school is moving forward,” Wallace said he supports the referendum and has no problems with the other candidates. “I want to become part of the solution. I believe the district needs fresh eyes, fresh ears and fresh ideas.”
Wallace is an adjunct professor at Rock Valley College, teaching Tech Works and CNC Machining and is a property manager in Rockton.
Tim Mazurkiewicz
Mazurkiewicz and his family are residents of Roscoe. He decided to become a candidate for the Hononegah School District Board because he believes he could make positive changes.
“I have been doing a lot of research, and I believe there are ways to do things more efficiently,” he said. “I am also a strong advocate of term limits. The school district needs younger people who are involved with the community,” Mazurkiewicz said.
Mazurkiewicz is a retired fighter and kick boxer. He has won Toughman competitions and Golden Gloves championships and was the Ambassador of Sports for Team USA. He currently runs a construction company.
A few years ago, he and his family moved from Freeport to Roscoe because of the area’s quality education opportunities. His five children attend schools in the area, ranging from pre-school to college.
“My goal in running for the school board is to add new ideas and continue Hononegah pride.”
Sandy Fordell
Fordell has served on the Hononegah High School Board of Education since 2005. Fordell is currently in her third term and if she is elected will begin a fourth. Fordell serves as Finance Chair and Co-Chair of Co-Curricular.
“I believe that Hononegah is entering a new and exciting phase seeing the potential of a new building and new construction. I believe there is still some work that needs to done. “Making and maintaining policies are of the upmost importance,” says Fordell.
Fordell knows first-hand the impact that Hononegah High School has on its students as has a child who is a sophomore at Hononegah.
“I hope the community sees the effort that we have put together as a board. We have an eclectic mix of board members, but still manage to build a consensus on issues, “said Fordell. I enjoy my fellow board members.” Fordell works at Beloit College.
Robert Geddeis
Robert Geddeis began his time on the school board in 2009. He is running for a third term and is the Legislative Chair and Co-chair of Enrollment, Growth and Development. He is also a Delegate to the Special Education Cooperative Board.
“Originally my whole career was international business, and I held a position as Director of International Sales at Greenlee Textron,” shares Geddeis. “After I retired I had time and wanted to become involved in my community. Mary Lewis encouraged me to run and felt I would be a great addition to the board.”
“I am very interested in young people. The kids will be our future leaders. I like to teach them to be educated and to think carefully; not to be told what to think but how to think critically. “
Geddeis has been a Rockton resident for 20 years.
“This is an exciting time for HHS,” he said. The school has a very proud history. I am hoping to assure that the future is good or better than the past.”
“Schools are so important to employers in attracting good employees. We have an eclectic board with a wide range of experience and backgrounds. We are not a rubber stamp for each other. We are a team who knows how to arrive at a compromise. The main goal of all of us is the kids.”
Marc Kuney
Marc Kuney is running for a second term and serves as the Education Chair and Finance co-chair. “I wanted to stay involved with the school after my children were done there,” said Kuney. “I was coaching football and basketball nine years and I love the kids.” Kuney works at North Star Radioisotopes in Beloit. He is the Manager of Logistics and warehouse.
All Hononegah School Board members serve strictly on a volunteer basis.