Troy 30-C appoints new school board member

The Troy Community School District 30-C school board has appointed Shorewood resident and Joliet attorney Robert Bodach to its school board, replacing member Catherine Besler, who resigned over the summer.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome a board candidate like Mr. Bodach to our district," said School Board President Mark Griglione. "He will definitely be a great asset to our board."

Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl agreed.

"We are very pleased that Mr. Bodach has chosen to join our district," Koehl added. "He will bring to our district leadership team a servant approach, a clear sense of community and a strong sense of purpose. We feel fortunate to live in a community where leaders rise to the challenges of the day."

Bodach said he looks forward to the opportunity.

"I think that serving on a school board is the purest and the most impactful form of community service you can do," he said. "I believe I can have a significant impact on the community by serving the Troy 30-C School District and furthering the opportunities for growth and education of our young people."

After earning his business degree with an accounting major at Illinois Wesleyan University and working as an accountant, Bodach earned his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of St. Francis, then a law degree at the Southern Illinois University School of Law.

His positions as attorney have included prosecutorial with the Jackson County State's Attorney's office, advocating for social security and disability rights with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and as a public defender at the Office of the Will County Public Defender. Bodach currently practices law with The Tomczak Law Group in Joliet.

He is also the president of the Will County Bar Association and past director of the JCA Alumni Association.

Bodach said among his first goals as school board member are to learn as much as he can about the school community; visit the schools and meet the administrators and staff; attend events to meet parents and students; and continue to grow the educational success of the Troy schools.

Bodach describes himself as a lifelong learner.

"I think it's really important to keep your eyes and ears open and continue learning throughout your life," he said.

Bodach grew up in Lockport and attended Kelvin Grove Elementary School and Joliet Catholic Academy. He lives in Shorewood with wife Tracy Caswell, who attended Troy 30-C schools growing up and is a Shorewood-Troy Public Library Trustee.

He enjoys such outdoor activities as hiking, biking, fishing, cross-country skiing, participating in ski races and working in his yard.