New District 207 superintendent shares vision for future

Maine Township High School District 207's newly appointed superintendent Ken Wallace says meeting the needs of a diverse student population, retrofitting outdated classrooms, and maintaining core programs are among his top goals.

After a national search drawing more than 40 applicants from 10 states, the District 207 school board this week named Wallace as successor to Superintendent Joel Morris, who is retiring after three years with the district.

Wallace's first day is July 1.

Yet, he says he's already been working in the trenches as District 207's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction since 2005. His relationship with district teachers and administrators may also have given him an edge in landing the job.

"We looked all over the country to find the best and brightest," said school board President Joann Braam. "It's no surprise that we found that person right here. We know him well. He is a bright, accomplished leader with a proven track record."

Wallace's annual salary will be $195,000 and could go up by $25,000 if he meets the board's performance goals.

Wallace, 47, of Park Ridge worked for eight years as an assistant superintendent, high school principal and assistant principal in Indiana. He taught high school English and journalism, and was a head wresting coach and middle school computer science teacher.

Wallace said his educator background affects how he views his new duties.

"I am very passionate about teaching and learning," he said. "I have a very good working relationship with our teachers."

Yet, when it comes to making tough decisions, such as negotiating teacher contracts, Wallace said he recognizes the importance of managing taxpayers' resources wisely.

Wallace said District 207 is better equipped than most school districts to meet the challenges of the current economic downturn.

The district has a $100 million cash balance, roughly 90 percent of its annual operating budget of $112 million, at a time when many districts are cutting staff and programs.

"There aren't many out there better than that, and that's through prudent management," Wallace said.

The district, which has three high schools, has upcoming building projects including the total rehab of plumbing and windows at Maine East High School planned this summer, and it may spend $40 million to retrofit classrooms districtwide over several years for multiple uses.

"We're really stretched in each of our campuses to meet the needs of all of our extracurricular activities," Wallace said. "Our newest buildings are three or four decades old."

Funding for such projects may come from reserves or as part of yearly capital expenses for each school. The school board will begin considering longer-term building projects over the next six months.

The greater challenge the district of 6,900 students faces is adapting to changing demographics.

Maine East's student population speaks more than 60 languages. At Maine West, 35 languages other than English are spoken, and the Hispanic population at Maine South has doubled over the last 7 years.

"We have a student population that is increasingly diverse and it's actually poorer than the student populations that have come before it," Wallace said. The district needs to partner with elementary districts and Maine Township to link immigrant students and their families with support and guidance services, he said.