U-46 candidates talk about superintendents staff cuts

Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres' January decision to remove nearly two dozen administrators from their current positions displayed a markedly different leadership style than his predecessor, Connie Neale. And, unlike the reconstituting seen in Chicago Public Schools, Torres' housecleaning is an action relatively foreign to suburban districts. In a recent round-table discussion with the Daily Herald's editorial board, school board members seeking re-election Joyce Fountain, Dale Spencer and Donna Smith and challengers Kevin Echevarria and Gary Percy were asked about their takes on such bold moves. Challenger Ed Stade did not attend the session.

Q. Jose Torres' recent actions, including removing seven district administrators, Larkin High's principal and 12 department heads and Canton Middle School's principal and vice principal, are a significant departure from the leadership style the district has seen in the past. Is this good for U-46?

Spencer: I believe so. I think it would be a different story if Dr. Torres came in and made these changes within the first 90 days. I think he listened, learned and assessed where the district is and where it needs to go, and has made great changes with our blessing, including the reclassification of certain administrators.

Echevarria: He put out a very bold statement to all administrators, all staff. I think we're now geared in the right direction. However, it's time to sit back and look at those decisions, analyze them and hear the feedback. A lot of (U-46 employees) are worried about not being called back next year. A fear of being let go and not coming back is running throughout the staff. That can boil into the classroom. We need to make sure it does not happen here.

Percy: I think that the fear of losing one's job would be there in the current economic situation no matter what moves a superintendent made. I've been so impressed with the man, and the direction he's taken the district.

Fountain: The nature of the work and the reality of the work that is there will not be this unanimous opinion of the direction of the district. One of the earmarks is certainly listening. I know Dr. Torres has done that. It's nice to have consensus, but you're not always going to have it. Effective leadership is part vision, part listening, and part making very difficult decisions in the midst of other opinions. I think it's great and very clear he has the support of the community right now. As he continues to do his work, as we continue to move forward, it's not always going to be this way.

Smith: I think communication is the biggest part of any issue, any change that you have. And how much you communicate with those in the district. Transparency creates trust.