New U-46 chief has a tall order to gain taxpayer trust
"Habemus super"; we have a superintendent.
Though without the regal traditions used at St. Peter's Square in Rome, naming a new U-46 superintendent this week seemed like the local, educational version of the Vatican's welcoming a new pope.
A former reporter for a Catholic newspaper, I'm treading a fine line between being humorous and sacrilegious here, I know.
Still, listening to the unbridled excitement of U-46 board members at a Monday press conference, I couldn't help but connect this May announcement with another one three years ago this month.
Like the buzzing anticipation of Catholics worldwide of the May 2005 decision of the College of Cardinals, the U-46 community has long speculated whom the board would choose to replace the district's former superintendent, Connie Neale.
Unlike in Rome, here in Elgin there was no white smoke emanating from the Educational Services Center, signaling the selection of a new leader.
Yet board president Ken Kaczyinski's announcement of Jose Torres, a regional superintendent for Chicago Public Schools, to lead the district brought a rush of excitement, relief, and questions from community members.
A native of Puerto Rico, Torres first learned English in fifth grade and is 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 Monday. "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.
At these forums, community members repeatedly stated they felt burned by Neale's deal.
"We need a superintendent contract with no incentive to retire," Elgin resident Clarence Hayward said in January. "Having lifetime medical benefits is an incentive to retire, not work."
Gaining trust in U-46 will be no easy task for Torres. Still, he seems to understand the challenges that lie ahead in winning the support of many livid taxpayers.
"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.
A host of decisions in the next few months will set an important precedent for Torres. Contract negotiations, community relations, and financial decisions top the list.
It's too early yet to predict how he'll do. Still, it's awfully nice to say habemus super.