U-46 extends Torres' contract through 2014

After a year at the helm of the Elgin Area U-46 School District, Superintendent Jose Torres received more than a vote of confidence from the school board Monday night - he landed a two-year extension that will run through 2014.

"I continue to be determined to improve the performance of our students," said Torres.

"Last year I remember saying that I have adopted 41,000 students."

Last year, Torres initially signed a four-year deal. The school board prefers to ink five-year pacts, so Monday's action essentially grants Torres the five-year deal after a one year tryout.

"I am excited about the future," said board President Ken Kaczynski.

Under the contract, Torres' yearly raise is tied to the average annual raise in the teachers contract. Next year, Torres will earn $228,140 - a 3.7 percent increase from his $220,000 salary this year.

His ending salary in 2014 has yet to be determined. U-46 teachers are in the midst of the three-year contract that expires in August 2010.

Tim Davis, the teachers union president, said he supported Torres' extension.

"He's off to a good start," Davis said. "You have to contrast (the extension) with what they offered to superintendents in the past. It's right in line with that. He has a very strong work ethic. He's worked very hard to listen to the different constituent groups and provided great support for the teachers appraisal plan."

The contract also increases Torres' car allowance from $650 to $800 a month and allows him to be compensated for up to 15 unused vacation days at the end of each year, a rise from 10 days under his original deal.

There also are some new requirements to his deal. Torres is charged with coordinating the implementation and development of the district's improvement plan and must establish educational bench marks and targets.