CHSD 230 Board Of Education Candidate Lukas Verzbicas: 2025 Election

Your Name

Lukas Verzbicas

Campaign website

inspire230.com

Campaign social media

Facebook Inspire 230 - District 230 Candidates

Town/city of residence

Palos Heights

School district

Consolidated High School District 230

Family

Lukas Verzbicas, living with wife Gabriella Verzbicas

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Education

• Carl Sandburg High School
• California State University East Bay (Bachelor of Science in Business)

Occupation. Please include years of experience:

• Founder/Partner, Logistics Consulting Firm "Senle" (2023 – Present) Specializing in optimizing supply chain strategies. Industry experience since 2021.
• Previously, Professional Athlete representing the USA Men’s Triathlon National Team in international competitions.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None

The most pressing issues facing our district are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them:

The most pressing issue facing our district and future generations is the rapid acceleration of technological advancement. It’s not just Artificial Intelligence (AI)—quantum computing, regenerative robotics, and gene manipulation are transforming our world at an unprecedented pace. Young Americans today face significant economic and social pressures. In the next 4-6 years, AI will replace most entry-level jobs in administration, management, and tech. To ensure our young people aren’t left behind, we must equip them with the skills to harness these technologies and become the innovative leaders of the future. This means updating the curriculum to include coding, basic software engineering, and graphic design. At the same time, we must prioritize trades and vocational training, empowering students to become artisans and builders, not just consumers. I believe in fostering American innovation, with career paths that begin in our public high schools—where research, development, and skilled manufacturing thrive in unison, offering strong, reliable career opportunities.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have an Olympian mindset, driven by the belief that while the pursuit of excellence may not always lead to perfection, it is only by going beyond the status quo that we can achieve meaningful progress. This mindset of always improving, staying resilient, and setting big goals shapes how I approach problem-solving and leadership. It’s what makes me different—my drive to push boundaries and motivate others to do the same.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

• Lack of Accountability to Taxpayers and Parents: The teacher’s contract, which required federal mediation and took over nine months to negotiate, still has not been made publicly available. Parents and taxpayers must specifically request the details to uncover crucial information, such as the 19% raise granted to teachers. Additionally, despite concerns from a large group of students about a religious holiday conflicting with the finals schedule, the board ignored their pleas and approved the schedule anyway. It wasn’t until parents voiced their concerns at a board meeting that the board even considered revisiting the issue.
• Declining Student Performance: Academic performance has steadily declined, with SAT Math and ELA scores falling behind neighboring districts like Lincoln Way, Lockport, Lemont, and Downers Grove—by more than 10% in some cases. Parents are asking why they should move their kids to a district with such declining academic standards.
• Irresponsible Stewardship of Taxpayer Funds: According to the annual TIF reports, District 230 failed to submit reimbursement requests on time, resulting in millions of dollars lost to the district. The Triangle TIF alone amounts to over $1 million in missed student reimbursement funds. Instead of owning up to this mistake, the board chose to waste even more taxpayer dollars by litigating against Orland Park, rather than negotiating a solution.

Other Issues Defining My Campaign Platform:

The current board has previously run unopposed, with new members appointed rather than elected by voters. Since 2022, the board has seen a revolving door of leadership, with three members departing and three new ones appointed. This lack of stability and accountability has created an environment where responsibility is often overlooked, leaving the board increasingly disconnected from the community it serves.

Our Inspire 230 Slate—Tim Danlow, Mike Martinez, and myself—have a clear vision and plan to transform District 230 into a premier, top-performing school district, aiming to be ranked among the best public high school districts in the state by all metrics. To achieve this, we pledge to serve our full terms and remain fully committed to the success of our students and community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a former professional athlete representing Team USA, I gained valuable experience in perseverance, discipline, and managing high-pressure situations while competing globally. Transitioning to entrepreneurship by founding and running a small business two years ago has provided me with a practical and modern perspective on the challenges students face as they enter the workforce, as well as the concerns of taxpayers. This combination of global experience and business insight allows me to offer innovative, effective solutions to the evolving challenges in education, workforce development, and fiscal responsibility.

Why should voters trust you?

I have a genuine stake in this community and am held to a higher standard. From representing the Sandburg Eagles as a champion athlete growing up to now running a business and raising a family here, my deep connection to Orland, Palos, and Tinley drives me to work toward their continued growth and success. It's my responsibility to ensure that future generations have the same, and greater, opportunities than I had.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?
Over the next four years, my goal is to see District 230 ranked among the top three public high school districts in Illinois based on student achievement. Additionally, I will work to ensure the school board collaborates effectively with local municipalities to maximize available funding, preventing the need for further property tax levy increases.

What guidance should staff be given for dealing with potential ICE enforcement at schools?
Staff should follow the Illinois TRUST Act, and VOICES Act when dealing with potential ICE enforcement at schools. These laws say that schools are considered 'sensitive locations,' which means ICE should generally not arrest or surveil people on school grounds unless there's an emergency, like a national security threat or immediate safety concern. Staff should be aware of these laws to help protect students and maintain a safe school environment.

Should cell phones be banned during school? Why or why not?

Teachers should have the authority to manage cell phone use in the classroom to maintain a focused learning environment. If they choose, they should have the right to collect and store phones in a designated, agreed-upon location during classroom discussion. This approach ensures students remain engaged while still having access to their devices when appropriate. Phones would be returned at the end of class or at a reasonable time determined by the teacher.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not?

Illinois law mandates the inclusion of an LGBTQ+ component in sex education. However, I believe the focus should remain on providing science-based information about human anatomy, reproduction, and health. What is taught must be factual, medically accurate, and developmentally appropriate. Just as schools should avoid endorsing political ideologies, they should also refrain from delving into personal topics related to sexual orientation and identity.

Is the high school teaching critical race theory, Marxism, or any other ideologies and what should be done about it?

The current executive order defunding public schools that implement CRT or DEI policies is a mandate the district should uphold. However, in a historical and educational context, political ideologies such as Marxism, socialism, and fascism should be taught to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of their origins, impact, and significance. Teaching these topics in a neutral, historical context helps students think critically and form their own opinions.

Do you think property taxes are too high, too low, or just about right?

Property taxes in Illinois, and specifically in our district, are too high compared to neighboring states and nearby school districts like Downers Grove and Lemont. These districts achieve higher performance with similar or even less funding. In District 230, there has been a pattern of approving near-max tax levies every year with little regard for taxpayers.

How do you feel about TIF districts? Do they hurt or benefit schools? Explain.

School boards cannot initiate or end TIF districts; that authority lies with municipalities. Therefore, to benefit the schools, it's crucial to collaborate with municipalities to ensure our district receives the necessary funding while still fulfilling the TIF’s purpose of expanding the taxpayer base through investment. There needs to be an easily accessible public database that tracks available TIFs. It should include key information such as each TIF’s inception year, expiration date, initial Equalized Assessed Value (EAV), current EAV, and any associated Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs). Transparency is essential, and this will help us accurately track the revenue owed to the district each year. We cannot afford any more instances like the Triangle TIF, where the school board failed to make the necessary annual request before the expiration date, costing the district over a million dollars in tuition reimbursements.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

District 230 excels in fostering the best school culture in suburban Chicago. Our entire community takes immense pride in our Eagles, Chargers, and T-Bolts, always showing up to support them at school-related events. By continuing to nurture this strong sense of pride and identity, we can keep students motivated and excited to strive for excellence.

However, our SAT Math competency is just 31%, and SAT Reading and Writing is at 36%—over 10% behind neighboring districts. To address this, we should leverage technology to help improve learning outcomes. A recent Harvard study found that students using an AI tutor learn twice as much as those in traditional classroom settings. By acting as a personalized tutor, AI can adapt to each student’s individual pace and skill level, ensuring that students spend more time on challenging concepts and progress quickly through material they already understand. Implementing this program would be feasible within the district’s current budget and technological capacity.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

I commit to serving my full term.