Dist. 200 likely to tab former principal to serve as interim superintendent

When Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 school board members decided to part ways with Superintendent Richard Drury, they needed someone to lead the district until a permanent replacement could be found.

Charles Baker was their guy.

With 37 years of experience in the district, including 12 as principal of Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Baker is "the ideal" person for the acting superintendent job, school board President Andy Johnson said.

"He's got the passion and love for the district, the knowledge and the intellect," Johnson said, "everything we would want to fill this role."

Baker's already on District 200's payroll. Since retiring in 2004, he's been working part-time as interim director of secondary education.

Baker says he's "excited and eager" to take on his new role.

"I really want to get going," said Baker, a 60-year-old Naperville resident. "We have significant challenges in this district and first and foremost among them is reminding people of what our mission is: It's the welfare of our students. So let's get on with that business."

The school board is expected to formally approve Baker's appointment this week. His $75,800-a-year base salary will remain unchanged.

Baker said Johnson offered him the acting superintendent position on Thursday afternoon. He admits he wasn't entirely surprised.

"I have a long history in this district," Baker said. "I know so many people by name. I know the schools. I have some knowledge of the history of almost all of them. In addition, my children went to these schools."

Board member Joann Coghill said Baker's appointment makes sense because it allows someone with a wealth of experience to aid with the transition to a new superintendent.

"We just knew that he would be able to reach out to the different schools and work with the administration," she said. "Now we don't feel rushed at all (to find a new superintendent)."

Still, the goal is to have Drury's replacement named by March. The new person would start with the district in July.

The board is considering the possibility of hiring the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates - the same consultants that found Drury.

When asked what qualifications the board is looking for in a permanent superintendent, Johnson said the hope is to find someone with the proper educational background and the experience of leading a large school district.

"We want somebody with the passion and the vision to continue moving things forward," he said.

In the meantime, Baker said he simply wants to do what he can to help.

"I'd like to see that next superintendent come in here with all the vigor ready to go to lead us into that next generation of education," he said.

As for being entrusted with the transition, Baker said it's humbling. "I just hope I can meet the expectations of everyone," he said.

Baker joined District 200 in 1972 as a teacher at Edison Middle School. He spent 13 years in the classroom until becoming an assistant principal at the former Wheaton Central High School in 1985. Three years later, he was named principal.

When Wheaton Central closed in 1992, Baker was named principal at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. He held that post until he retired in 2004.

Baker has worked part-time as the interim director of secondary education for the past five years. As part of that job, he coordinates the high school curriculum and assists high schools with a variety of issues, including enrollment and registration.

Because he's retired, Baker is allowed to work no more than 120 days during the school year. He isn't limited in the number of hours he works during the day.

So it's possible for him to work a 12-hour day. "And I do," he said with a laugh.