New U-46 superintendent gets $281,000 package

Elgin Area School District U-46 Monday officially netted a new superintendent.

One who netted himself a significant raise.

Jose Torres, 48, will earn $220,000 when he takes the helm of the state's second-largest school district July 1.

With benefits and perks, Torres' package totals at $281,000 this year.

According to Chicago Public Schools, Torres' current salary is $144,000 as regional superintendent for Area 14, a group of 26 Southwest side elementary and middle schools.

More Coverage The Full Report U-46 Superintendent's new contract

Perks of Torres new four-year contract, approved unanimously by school board members, includes a $22,000 yearly retirement contribution by the district.

For his travels, Torres will receive a $650 monthly car allowance, which over 12 months totals $7,800.

As a U-46 superintendent is required to live within district boundaries, the district will pay Torres' moving expenses -- up to $6,000 -- from his Chicago residence.

Also on the district's tab are personal technology costs and membership dues to local civic organizations.

Torres will receive 15 paid sick days per year, and 25 vacation days per year.

Included in the contract are several new provisions that have not been used in previous superintendent contracts, school board president Ken Kaczynski said.

If Torres decides to leave the district within the first two years of his tenure, he must pay the U-46 $25,000 "to help defray the costs of finding his replacement," Kaczynski said.

In turn, if board members would want to fire Torres before his term is up, it would require the approval of five of the seven board members, not a simple majority, Kaczynski said.

When former superintendent Connie Neale joined the district in 2002, she earned a $200,000 base salary. With benefits and perks, her initial pay package totaled around $250,000.

In six years time, Neale's compensation ballooned, this year costing taxpayers more than $535,000.

Neale officially retired Feb. 25. In September, just months after negotiating a $60,000 pay raise, she went on indefinite sick leave, moving to a home in Joplin, Mo., at the district's expense.

Torres has worked in the Chicago Public Schools since 2005.

Before that, the Puerto Rican native 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 San Diego. In June 2002, after just six months at the 5,700-student district, the school board fired Torres, claiming his leadership style was problematic.

The U-46 board introduced Torres as their sole finalist May 5.

All seven members of the U-46 board felt Torres was the top choice, board President Ken Kaczynski said.

"We're very pleased to present this," Kaczynski said.