He led District 214 during 'Golden Era,' and beyond

A former superintendent of Northwest Suburban High School District 214, who oversaw its largest period of growth, has passed away.

Edward Gilbert led the Arlington Heights-based district from 1966 to 1983, during the years when they opened four new high schools - including Elk Grove, Hersey, Rolling Meadows and Buffalo Grove - bringing to eight the number of buildings and nearly 20,000 students.

Mr. Gilbert passed away on Sunday at a health care center in Bella Vista, Ark., where he moved after his retirement. He was 89.

"It was a period of unprecedented growth," says Robert Cudney, former District 214 personnel director. "We all called it the 'Golden Era.'"

Mr. Gilbert came to District 214 in 1961 as associate superintendent, after completing his doctorate in public school administration at the University of Chicago, thanks to a grant from the Kellogg Foundation.

"That grant changed his life," Cudney added.

Up until that point, Mr. Gilbert's life had revolved around schools in Oklahoma. He grew up as the oldest of nine children, picking cotton alongside his father and siblings. He attended Central State College in Oklahoma and got his master's at Oklahoma State University.

"He never forgot his humble upbringings," Cudney says. "He was such a kind guy, whose whole focus was on the kids."

Shortly after Mr. Gilbert became superintendent in 1966, the district opened Elk Grove High School, and then opened three more schools in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

"To open that many schools, and still maintain the academic standards and outstanding educational programming, is phenomenal," says Bill Dussling, current president of District 214. "He created a legacy we're trying to carry on."

Together with Arlington, Prospect, Forest View and Wheeling high schools, District 214 was the largest high school district in Illinois at the time.

Colleagues say that under Mr. Gilbert's leadership, the district opened more vocational classes as well as advanced placement classes.

"He was a real champion of academics," Cudney says, "but he also looked out for the kids who needed extra help."

A highlight of his career came in 1981, when Mr. Gilbert was named "Most Influential Educator" in the Chicago suburban area.

By the 1980s, enrollment numbers began to plummet, and Mr. Gilbert and the school board wrestled over whether to close buildings. In 1983, they made the painful decision to close Arlington High School, before closing Forest View High School in 1986.

"He was a gentleman and a statesman," said Joe Lyon, who was school board president from 1979 to 1983.

"He had been there to see many of the schools built and then he had to watch some of them close. But he handled it all with such dignity."

Mr. Gilbert retired in 1983, and officials named the district headquarters after him. The Edward Gilbert Administrative Complex, is in the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Gilbert is survived by his second wife, Joyce, stepchildren Mark and Mary Moore, and Cindy and David Duckworth; as well as six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Armelda, and daughter Sheree.

A memorial service will be held June 12 in Bella Vista, Ark.