5 Candidates Face Off In District 203 Race: Election 2023

NAPERVILLE, IL — Five candidates are in the running for three seats that are available on the Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education in the April 4 election. Voters will head to the polls between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. to cast their votes, choosing from a field that includes two incumbents.

Kristine M. Gericke (incumbent)

Kristine M. Gericke was elected to the District 203 Board of Education in 2017 and is currently seeking her second term.

Gericke earned a bachelor's degree in history with a focus on secondary education from North Central College, according to her District 203 profile. She and her husband, Jeff, have two children who graduated from Naperville North.

On her District 203 member profile, Gericke writes, "It is important to foster curiosity and the love of learning regardless of a child’s age. From the very beginning, families and communities share the responsibility to ensure that children are encouraged to explore, question and interact with their world. We need to help children find their individual passions that will lead them toward productive and happy adult lives. Above all, we must demonstrate that learning is a lifelong endeavor that should be pursued and enjoyed no matter one’s age."

Joseph (Joe) Kozminski (incumbent)

Elected in 2019, Joe Kozminski is seeking his second term as a District 203 board member.

Outside of District 203, Kozminski works as a professor and chair of the physics department at Lewis University. He has three children who attend school at District 203.

Kozminski's District 203 profile states that his educational philosophy is,

"The goal of our educational system should be ensuring that all students receive a solid academic grounding in core areas (e.g. science/technology/engineering/mathematics (STEM), English and language arts, social science/history/civics) and develop essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication while helping them find and develop their interests and passions and preparing them for success in whatever path they take. Since students bring different experiences and backgrounds to the classroom, students should be met where they are at, challenged appropriately, and provided resources, opportunities, and support to help them achieve. Students also need programming and instruction that help them build social-emotional skills like developing character and empathy, respecting and celebrating diversity, and building community. Students learn best in a safe, welcoming, inclusive learning environment where they are actively engaged and are supported by the teachers and school staff and by their peers. The district plays a central role in preparing students, academically and socially, to be lifelong learners and informed, responsible citizens able to critically evaluate information, ideas, and opinions and to contribute to a diverse, global society."

Gilbert R. Wagner

On his campaign website, Gilbert Wagner writes that "[b]eing a blue-collar worker for most of my adult life, I bring a different perspective to the school board." Wagner formerly served on the West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Board of Education as a member, secretary, vice president and president, per his website.

Wagner writes, "When elected I promise to be a sounding board for every stakeholder in our community, especially the students and parents."

Per Wagner's Facebook site, his priorities include hiring more support staff for teachers and addressing mental health issues and bullying in district schools.

Ronald Amato

Ronald Amato is a member of the board of directors at Kids Matter. His public service experience also includes serving as a Trustee of the Naperville Firefighters Pension Fund and as President of the Exchange Club of Naperville.

Amato supports using District 203 resources to fairly compensate teachers and attract additional staff. On his campaign site, Amato writes, "While the District faces rising costs, so do families who are already saddled with high taxes. The District must work to strike a balance between maintaining excellent schools and respecting the taxpayer."

Melissa Kelley Black

Melissa Kelley Black holds a bachelor's degree and master’s degree in education. Black's website explains that she understands the importance of IEP education opportunities because she is the mother of children with special needs.

Black states on her site that there are "large student achievement gaps between different student groups that need to be addressed" in District 203.

Per the ongoing teacher shortage, Black's campaign site states, "Policies like encouraging our current students to become teachers or only offering pay that is average will not result in immediately attracting the best applicants or fill the 70 plus vacancies we currently have in our schools."