College student poised to join Kaneland school board after leading write-in vote tally

A 19-year-old college student likely will join the Kaneland District 302 School Board, along with two other newcomers.

Edmund Koch is leading the vote-getters among the write-in candidates, according to unofficial results from the April 4 consolidated election. As of April 10, Koch has 291 votes. Meg Junk and Pedro Rivas have 251 votes and 137 votes, respectively.

“I’m very thankful for the huge turnout for a write-in candidate,” Koch said. “I’m proud that people can elect someone as young as I am with little past experience, but with some new ideas and different perspectives since I’ve been in school so recently.”

There were four seats up for election. Koch likely will join fellow newcomers Aaron McCauley with 2,984 votes and Ryan Joseph Kleisner with 2,782 votes and incumbent Bob Mankivsky with 2,917 votes on the school board.

“I’m very thankful,” Koch said. “I have lived here my entire life and will reflect the community’s values while using technology and other new education tools to the best use that I can.”

While change is coming to the school board, it appears there may not be too many changes to the Kaneland High School building after the district’s referendum failed.

Voters rejected a $57.5 million plan to make significant improvements at the high school to make it safer and more efficient while modernizing learning environments, improving athletic facilities and providing more student resources.

“We have heard you and we will be re-engaging with you in the near future to gather feedback on the results of this referendum,” Superintendent Todd Leden said. “We will continue to work together and support each other to deliver the highest quality education to our students despite the challenges we face.”