Tom Kostes presided over his final North Palos Elementary District 117 Board meeting last week, ending more than 50 years of affliation with the district that began as an assistant superintendent and ended as board president.

Kostes bid farewell to a standing room only crowd of friends, colleagues and well-wishers, including his wife, Carolyn, his adult children and his best friend and longtime colleague Ken Geraghty, his successor as District 117 superintendent.

Geraghty called Kostes a strong leader and great communicator.

“Tom always told me that you can tell a person anything, but the key is in how you tell them,” Geraghty said.

He said that while he and Kostes worked great together, there were times the two would disagree.

“I’ll always remember Tom telling me that if we both agree on everything, then one of us isn’t needed,” Geraghty said. “We had our discussions and our share of disagreements over the years but we were able to resolve them amicably and always based on what was best for the students.”

Kostes said he was honored and privileged to have been part of the school district.

“There were some lean times when we tried to pass a referendum. 11 times without success. But we never gave up and we finally got one passed,” Kostes said. “I truly loved being part of the negotiating team.”

The 88-year-old Kostes, who turns 89 in June, said his mandate was to always do what was best for the students.

“That wasn’t always easy when money was tight, but we did,” he said.

Kostes arrived in District 117 in 1973 as an assistant superintendent under then-Superintendent Chuck Feigl. Three years later, after Feigl’s death, Kostes was named superintendent, a position he held until 1994.

Kostes said things were so bleak financially, the district considered selling its buses to put money into its education fund.

“That’s how desperate we were,” he recalled.

Kostes said he would visit each of the schools every month to observe and talk to teachers and principals.

Kostes retired in 1994 and Geraghty took over as superintendent. Kostes stayed on as a consultant through 2003. After a three-year break, Kostes was asked by then-Superintendent Ken Sorrick to fill an unexpired seat on the school board.

Kostes was elected to the board in 2007 and was reelected for each term since. He has been board president for the last 12 years.

He said he was most proud of the fact that “we were able to keep the district afloat financially during those tough times. It wasn’t easy but we did it. I’m proud of everyone in the district who never quit focusing on what was best for the children.”

As he departs, he looks back on the great teams the district had over the years that led to five National Blue Ribbon Awards. He said that is a reflection of the commitment and effort of teachers, staff, parents and students.

Superintendent Christine Droba said she hopes to continue the legacy of excellence established by Kostes and the superintendents who followed him.

“The goal here is and always will be for students to receive high-quality educational experiences,” Droba said. “We all believe in the motto of Investing in Our Future: One Child at a Time.”

Colleagues on the board lauded Kostes.

“Your leadership truly is exemplary and you have so much compassion,” said board member Debbie Groark.

Board member Debbie Chafee said Kostes’ dedication to the community made this school district what it is. And board member Ron Moran said “Thank you for being Tom!”

Jim Hook is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. He previously was director of public relations for District 117.