Use more scrutiny to fill school jobs

The story of Grayslake Elementary District 46's inept hiring of Edward Towle should be an employment lesson for school officials everywhere.

A mix of deception, lack of candor and failure at due diligence resulted in a candidate with unspecified questionable baggage being hired to run the district's financial operation.

Daily Herald staff writer Bob Susnjara's series of On Guard stories has examined how the Grayslake district learned after hiring Towle that he's been on paid leave for 14 months at the suburban Milwaukee school district where he works.

Towle and his boss, Brown Deer School District Administrator Deb Kerr, were less than forthcoming during the hiring process.

Towle, 53, never mentioned his job status, and Kerr wrote a glowing recommendation about him. Later, she said "serious concerns" about his job performance led him to be placed on leave in February 2009. Kerr has refused to elaborate.

But the buck stops with Grayslake elementary school officials, and they need to take a hard look at how they vet job candidates - as should any other school district in the area that may have substandard procedures at the moment.

Superintendent Ellen Correll has admitted officials need to be more thorough in Internet searches of candidates and ask more pointed questions during interviews.

The highest profile reference on Towle's resume - former University of Wisconsin basketball coach Dick Bennett - wasn't called. It was the only reference listed without contact information, a potential red flag.

Bennett told Susnjara he hasn't heard from Towle in at least 10 years and doesn't know what he's been doing professionally.

Bennett agreed to be a reference when Towle "was a young adult" but didn't know he was still listed on Towle's resume.

Checking those points is the least taxpayers can expect, especially to hire the person to oversee district finances.

What happened isn't unthinkable.

A case in Grayslake High School District 127, with details very similar to this one, surfaced late in 2009 and led to the firing of former Grayslake North Principal Eric Vance. It should have been enough to put area school officials on notice.

There are many questions in need of detailed answers before Towle's scheduled July 1 start.

Towle's attorney, Robert Shumaker, said his client was "absolutely honest" in applying for the job and has done nothing wrong. He understands the scrutiny, but hopes taxpayers don't judge him on unfounded speculation.

Towle is set to visit the District 46 board May 10, when hopefully he'll provide some satisfactory answers.

What District 46 must determine is why these questions weren't addressed before now.