Joel Funk, candidate for Mascoutah 19 School Board
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Name: Joel D. Funk
Political party (if applicable): N/A
Age as of April 6, 2021: 37
Campaign website or social media page: facebook.com/JoelFunk4IL
Office seeking: Member of the Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: Illinois’ 12th Congressional District
Occupation: Farmer and Financial Professional (Entrepreneur)
Education: 2 - BAs: Political Science/Modern Languages (German) from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina; MA: Security Studies from Kansas State University
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: I am a member of multiples organizations within Mascoutah to include the VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge, and I am an officer holder in Douglas Lodge #361A.F. & A.M. I am a life member of the Night Stalker Association and alumni of the Special Operations Transition Foundation.
As a disabled combat veteran and native of the community I advocate and mentor others within the community and around the world to connect them to opportunities and benefits to enhance their lives.
As a young entrepreneur I am spearheading into new industries and business models to help grow our local economy. Providing services and products to the local community is just the beginning. As operations expand I intend to add educational and employment opportunities to our community.
Why are you running? Education and fostering it within our community is something that runs in my family and is near and dear to my heart. The opportunities afforded to me, the path I have trod, and a large part of who I am is a direct result of the education provided to me. Mascoutah is a special community and much of that is due to our excellent education system and the relationship we have with Scott AFB. That relationship is something I cherish and want to grow even stronger. I am committed to making that happen and will achiever that as a member of the board.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The most pressing issue for all of us both economically and from a public service standpoint is how we bounce back from the pandemic. We must continue to balance the needs of our public health with everything else. Parents and children have endured much this last year and we are still trying to figure it all out. Balancing the needs of all parties is the hardest and most pressing issue of our time.
We have lost time and childhood development to the pandemic. As me go forward me must continue to adapt and advocate for our children to make up for the time we lost. I will address these stresses with reason and leadership. Providing our teachers with what they need to both be safe and effective is key. When our teachers have what they need, their students do better, and our community benefits.
Education is long-term investment. What we do now we will reap downstream both good and bad. Paying it forward is what out parents did. It is incumbent on us to do the same now.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me, because I know how to lead and my diverse background puts me in a unique position to speak to and advocate for our diverse community. My family has been in the community and has supported education longer than Mascoutah has had a unified school district. My ancestors helped finance the local Funk Schoolhouse long before schooling was centralized in town.
I was raised a farm boy, but spent most of my adult life as a fly boy in the U.S. Army. Until I graduated MCHS in 2002 and went to military college, my entire educational experience was in Mascoutah’s public school system. I’ve been the student whose friends were the children of service members and veterans, learning from them and their unique experiences and backgrounds. I’ve also been that military parent hoping that my next assignment wouldn’t hamper my children’s education. As a member of the board I will bring to the table a set of unique experiences and capabilities that will enhance and strengthen the linchpin of our community, our school system.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 4:24 PM.