Familiar face taking helm at District 10

The new superintendent in Itasca Elementary District 10 won't have much of a learning curve when it comes to the community's three schools.

She knows them from the inside out.

Marcia Tornatore started out 22 years ago as principal of what is now Benson Primary School, then moved up to become the district's assistant superintendent.

On July 1, she'll take the helm from retiring Superintendent Kenneth Cull.

School board members unanimously approved a four-year contract Wednesday, hiring Tornatore at a starting base salary of $132,700.

"Dr. Tornatore can continue (our) academic excellence," board President Nancy DiCiolla said. "She's a very hard worker, and she appears to be loved in the district."

The district conducted a national search for a top administrator and received 45 applicants, 25 of whom had the proper certification and were qualified. Search firm BWP & Associates narrowed that field to six candidates who board members then interviewed.

"I'm very excited," school board member Fred Maier said after hiring Tornatore. "I'm very, very happy about this."

Tornatore said she's thrilled to follow both Cull and former superintendent Glennon Acksel, who she described as being great models of leadership.

She's also excited to continue working with what she described as a "strong professional staff".

"You only have to visit our schools to feel the warm, educational environment," she said.

Her contract is performance-based, meaning that her subsequent raises will be based on how well she meets goals set by the board. A rating of "meets" goals will produce annual raises of 3 percent, while an "exceeds" rating will mean raises of 5 percent.

The district also agreed to pay her full contribution each year to the Teacher's Retirement System. She gets four weeks of vacation each year, of which she can cash in one week annually.