U-46 picks CPS official as superintendent

A Chicago Public Schools official has been selected as the next superintendent of Elgin Area School District U-46.

Jose Torres is regional superintendent for Chicago Public Schools Area 14, a group of 26 elementary and middle schools on Chicago's Southwest side.

The area serves the Englewood, West Englewood, Chatham, Grand Crossing and Auburn Gresham neighborhoods, where 98 percent of its 14,500 students are black. More than 90 percent are considered low income.

Credited with raising Area 14's Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores 18 points during his two-year tenure, Torres said at a Monday news conference he has three main goals in assuming a new position at U-46.

"We need to raise the bar, close the gap and cultivate relationships," Torres said.

More U-46 elementary students, Torres said, should be aiming not just to meet but exceed state standards.

Calling achievement at the district's middle and high schools "flat," Torres said he'd like to see more students completing Advanced Placement courses.

More teachers, Torres outlined, should be striving for National Board of Education certification.

He also cited hopes to instill "ganas" -- a Spanish term for heart, desire and will -- into the U-46 community.

Born in Puerto Rico, Torres first learned English in fifth grade.

A Chicago resident, Torres holds a doctorate of philosophy in educational administration from the University of Maryland.

Before joining Chicago Public Schools, Torres served as assistant superintendent of student support services for Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland, a district of 75,000 students.

He briefly served as the superintendent of the San Ysidro School District near the Mexico border in San Diego County, Calif. In June 2002, after just six months at the 5,700 student district, the San Ysidro school board fired Torres, claiming his leadership style was problematic.

"Early on in my career, it was a hard lesson," Torres said. "The experience taught me to listen between the lines."

The U-46 school board first began its search last fall, after then-Superintendent Connie Neale went on indefinite sick leave, moving to a home in Joplin, Mo. She stayed on the district payroll until Feb. 25.

Milwaukee-based search firm ProAct Inc. conducted nine community forums, 55 group sessions and a widely circulated survey in January in its quest for a new U-46 leader.

According to ProAct consultant Nancy Noeske, community concerns included academic accountability, staff morale, a lack of discipline, a need for smaller classes and bitterness over outgoing Superintendent Connie Neale's retirement.

This school year, Neale's compensation package, with salary and benefits, totaled slightly more than $535,000. Adding in interim Superintendent Mary Jayne Broncato's per diem rate of $1,100, Neale's total cost to the district this school year was about $750,000.

"Trust has to be gained, based on actions," Torres said. With time, he said, he hopes the people in the community will learn to trust him.

U-46 has not yet written a contract for Torres, board President Ken Kaczynski said.

At Monday night's meeting, the board approved a letter of intent to have a contract drafted.

Torres' contract will be presented for approval at a board meeting in June, Kaczynski said.

Tim Davis, president of the Elgin Teachers Association, called the news conference "a good first impression."

"As he stated, it's going to take a while to establish relationships ... obviously that's the key."