Fielden won't step down as Naperville Dist. 203 board president
Terry Fielden won't step down as president of the Naperville Unit District 203 school board after two closed-door meetings to review leadership, communication and internal procedures.
Fielden's leadership and communication had been called into question by three board members, who asked him this summer to resign as school board president.
Instead, the board met twice with a representative of the Illinois Association of School Boards for a self-evaluation. When the process concluded Monday afternoon, all Fielden would say was the board “will move forward with internal changes that will refine functionality and effectiveness.”
Board members, including Mike Jaench, who was one of those to question Fielden's leadership last month, said the evaluation meetings were productive.
“It was a good conversation on self-improvement,” Jaensch said. “We came away in a good place and we're moving forward.”
During the meetings, the board discussed the code of conduct for school board members, roles and expectations of board members, expectations of board leadership and the desire and need for proactive communication between members.
“Internal changes” to be made in the future will focus on planning and “making sure everyone is heard,” board member Donna Wandke said.
“We're going forward with the leadership we have,” she said.
The board's current leadership — Fielden — took effect after the April election. Fielden, who has been on the board since 2007, was the only member nominated to fill the top spot following an election in which all members retained their seats.
Last month, Jaensch, Susan Crotty and Jackie Romberg said the flow of information stalled and the board's ability to govern diminished after Fielden came into the president's role. There were concerns that some board members were receiving information before others.
Fielden said he thought his outreach to board members was sufficient but he learned during the first board evaluation session Aug. 24 that he needed to do more.
“I was communicating with them as I thought I needed to,” Fielden said in late August. “I'm trying to adjust my communication style to their direct needs. ... There is still a flow of information, but it needs to go deeper.”
During the first open meeting after the self-evaluation wrapped up, the board discussed online learning, new teacher mentorship programs, a master facilities plan and a long list of district policies.
Crotty agreed the board is ready to move forward and Kristin Fitzgerald said communication concerns have been addressed.
“I'm pleased that we could work together and address the concerns,” she said, “and I'm eager to put it behind us and go on with the business of our truly outstanding district.”