District 203 says goodbye to retiring superintendent
Alan Leis almost didn't get an interview six years ago for the role of superintendent in Naperville Unit District 203.
But his persistence paid off and, on Friday, the District 203 community celebrated Leis' leadership as it bid farewell to the retiring educator.
He "has moved our district to another height we could not have realized without his leadership," said community relations director Nina Menis.
Leis, 60, has spent roughly 40 years in education, including the past six in District 203 and three decades in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia.
His retirement takes effect July 1 when he hands off the district's reins to Seattle-area educator Mark Mitrovich.
Friday's celebration was dubbed, "This is Your District 203 Life Alan Leis."
Organizers took a cue from the 1950s TV show, "This Is Your Life" by arranging surprise appearances by members of the school board, staff and community, government and civic groups.
Melanie Raczkiewicz, associate superintendent for operations, joked that Leis is like the cartoon character Roadrunner, always moving quickly from task to task.
"While others are still thinking about what to do, you do it," she said. "It is your passion for your work and your compassion for people that make you an extraordinary educator and human being."
Among Leis' accomplishments is getting community support for a $43 million tax hike to fund $115 million in facilities projects. He also has been a driving force behind a dual language program for elementary students and a districtwide e-mail system to keep parents in the loop, as well as overseeing several of the district's highest-achieving graduating classes.
School board President Mike Jaensch said the great leaders he saw while serving in the Air Force embodied the values of "integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do" and that Leis does the same.
"I have never met a person with a higher level of integrity, honesty and loyalty than Alan Leis," he said.
During his time in Naperville, Leis has gotten involved with a number of community groups. The city has designated May 22, 2009, as Dr. Alan Leis Day in Naperville.
"We are grateful and applaud your contributions and recognize Naperville is a better place because of you," said Bill Garlough, president of the Rotary Club of Naperville.
Howard Crouse, retired superintendent of neighboring Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and a close friend of Leis, gave him a preview of what to expect in retirement, including sleeping in on snow days and not having to read blogs or newspapers to see what was written about him.
"I think you see into a person's soul most when there's a crisis to be solved or a difficult problem to be addressed," Crouse said, changing tones. "What I've seen, Alan, and what I've admired most is the way you've addressed those problems ... in such a professional, caring, well-thought-out manner."
The community bestowed a number of gifts upon Leis from the serious - an engraved clock and an American flag that flew above the district's administrative center - to the humorous: a piece of synthetic turf from the facilities and referendum committees and a "portable garden plot" from the park district.
Leis said his impending retirement is bittersweet and thanked his family, friends, staff and students. He called the district "amazing" and said it exceeded his expectations.
"'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened,'" Leis said quoting Dr. Seuss. "That's the way I'll always feel about Naperville."