Lingleville ISD Board Member Sonya Koke is running for re-election in place 1, facing challenger Andrew Grimm in the Nov. 5 general election. Koke, who has served for eight years, first decided to run for school board because she advocated for children as a mother of six.
“The teachers and administration knew who I am because I am invested in our children,” said Koke. “I truly saw the teachers, students and myself as a team that our goal is for our child to succeed. If one doesn’t apply themselves we are not going to win or succeed. So why not be invested for all the children in Lingleville ISD and make a great team that has the best for children, school and our community.”
“I can’t fix everything that comes my way from the school, families and our community but I am sure going to ask questions and willing to see what can be done,” she added.
Koke’s care for the community and area is tied into the work she does with her husband, Johan in managing a dairy.
“For 30 years I have been fully integrated in our family dairy,” she said. “We are care takers of our business, the land and each other.”
Koke said they strive for excellence in their work and in the way they interact with others.
When asked what board accomplishment she was most proud of during her tenure, Koke said it was probably the speed and manner in which the district adapted to the covid regulations and after the changes. Koke said she is proud of the school for “coming back with strong plans for the safety physically and health” and “taking the input from our community that they wanted their children in school safely.”
She is also proud that the board “worked well together and came out of every meeting with respect for each other.”
Koke says she has several goals if re-elected including making sure students have the technology to succeed in school and beyond, teachers get the tools they need to ensure student success and encouraging students in sports that the community can come see and enjoy.
When asked about the best aspects of living in and serving the Lingleville community, Sonya said: “I love getting to know our staff and that we get to see our neighbors and actually know them since it is a small community.” She also pointed out the quality education her have received and are receiving at LISD.
“If re-elected, I will continue to hold our district accountable, ensure transparency in spending your tax dollars, and set goals that benefit our school and community,”Koke promised. “I am committed to ongoing education and training as a trustee and to being a bridge between our school and the wider community. I’ll advocate for a curriculum focused on education, not politics, and ensure our students graduate equipped to become productive and engaged citizens. Lingleville has been our home for the past 26 years. It has been a wonderful place to raise our six children and operate our family business, and I love this community deeply.”