Itasca school board fills vacancy with 'real deal'

The bar has been set high for Itasca School District 10's newest board member.

Charles Sprandel's new colleagues already are calling him "the real deal."

The 39-year-old Itasca resident was appointed Wednesday to fill the seat left vacant by last month's resignation of longtime board member James McCann.

Sprandel was chosen over eight other candidates who interviewed for the position.

"Based on the interview process, we all strongly believe that Charles is the guy," board President Nancy DiCiolla. "He is impressively the real deal.

"He has the analytical skills and the intelligence level to deal with any situation that this board could ever face," DiCiolla added.

Sprandel, the math and science curriculum coordinator for Elmhurst Community School District 205, said he was proud to have been selected and is anxious to be seated.

Previously, he worked as a chemistry instructor at Glenbrook South High School from 1998 to June 2007 and taught chemistry and honors chemistry at Indian Prairie School District 204 from 1994 to 1998.

"I spend my day working with kids and trying to improve education in other districts," said Sprandel, who has lived in Itasca for seven years. "This gave me an opportunity to have a direct impact where my own children go to school."

Sprandel acknowledged the district's members will be busy with a superintendent search and hammering out a new teachers contract this year. He hopes to contribute to both.

"I don't have any particular issues that I'm looking to drive as part of the board," he said. "I'm more looking to see where my background can play a role and provide a perspective to this board as we make decisions."

Sprandel will be sworn in during the Oct. 10 board meeting. He and his wife, Theresa, have four children, two of whom attend District 10 schools.