Meet Jeff Tucka, Subdistrict 4 candidate for District 186 board of education

Editor's note: This is part of a series of articles previewing candidates vying in the April 4 consolidated election. Early voting is underway.

Jeff Tucka said he has a mind for public service. That's why he sought an appointment to the District 186 board of education in November after the death of longtime educator and school board member Mike Zimmers.

"(My wife Gretchen and I) have two kids in the district, so I have a vested interest in making sure the schools they go to are good and really all of the kids in the district, that they have good schools and that we're trying to improve them," Tucka said.

In his short time on the board, Tucka, a chemist for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, said one of his main focuses has been advocating for STEAM curriculum and making sure the district "maintains the partnerships and the pipelines with community employers.

"My daughter was doing the Physician Pipeline Preparatory Program (at Springfield High School). Programs like that are important."

The after-school program is sponsored by SIU School of Medicine in partnership with District 186 and the Sangamon County Medical Society.

Tucka said his time on the board has "definitely been interesting" and even at the time of his appointment, he had an idea of running for a full four-year term.

While the makeup of the board has been "relatively constructive and friendly," Tucka said it should be reflective of the community, not "made up of people who are sort of entrenched in the administration. (Subdistrict 4 candidate Ken Gilmore is) coming directly from the district." Tucka also faces Donna Hopwood.

Jeff Tucka

Age: 47

Occupation: Chemist for Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; lead AFSCME union steward for the agency.

Family: Wife, Gretchen; two children, Jackie, 16, attends Springfield High School, and Dylan, 12, attends Lincoln Magnet School

Political experience: Appointed to Subdistrict 4 seat on Nov. 15, to fill vacancy left by late Mike Zimmers

Education: Bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; post-graduate work at SIUC

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Jeff Tucka is seeking first full term on the District 186 school board