Board meeting to be Dist. 211 superintendent's last

Tonight's Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board meeting will be the last for Superintendent Roger Thornton.

Though the 64-year-old Thornton announced earlier this year he'd retire on Dec. 31, Friday will be the final working day of his tenure at the state's largest high school district. He'll use unused vacation days over the next two months.

Thornton's contract prohibited him from cashing in unused vacation days, Board President Robert LeFevre confirmed.

"It's not a surprise," LeFevre said. "We've certainly planned ahead ... The superintendent has taken vacation days before, this just so happens he'll take several."

Thornton called his time as superintendent, which began in May 2004, a great experience aided by great people.

"It's a good time to make the break from the 'retiring guy' to the new superintendent," Thornton said.

He added he made the decision a couple of months ago to leave early as he saw workers finish districtwide building renovations at the five high schools and district offices.

Associate Superintendent for Instruction Nancy Robb will take over for Thornton. She's been taking a larger leadership role since last summer. One of her first challenges will be negotiations on a new teacher contract. Talks should start early next year.

Thornton said Robb was ready for the job and that she has his full support.

When informing the board in January of his intentions to step down, Thornton said he wanted to spend more time with his family, including young grandchildren in Indiana and New Jersey. He said his days working full time are numbered, but Thornton added he'd consider school consulting in the future.

He lauded the District 211 community, especially its financial support.

"District 211's opportunities for students are something every parent would want for their child," Thornton said. "It was that way when I came, and I hope together we all improved on that a little bit and that the years ahead are brighter yet."