Board owes answers on superintendent

Six years ago, the Glen Ellyn School District 41 community was introduced to a new superintendent. Today, Dr. Paul Gordan's contract is up for renewal. He publicly states he enjoys the district and wishes to continue to be its superintendent. However, the current board of education has not advised the community of it's intentions. Why?

Per protocol of superintendent employment, notification of renewal in the spring/summer of the prior year is to help alleviate any curriculum or scholastic disruption for the following year and going forward. Also with a level of certainty of employment, the superintendent has a basis to continue with the medium- and long-term administrative and district visionary objectives throughout the contract period. Without this certainty, the superintendent is forced to pause on several of the district's directives. Proactive conversations pause, and momentum of initiatives begins to wane.

There have been literally hundreds of recommendation signatures and letters sent to the current Board of Education. Since the spring of this year, the current board of education has heard from community members, teachers, PTA committees, parents, students, former board members, Glenbard West administration and even other school districts. Nearly all of the communications are accolades for the work Dr. Gordan is doing and the vision of D41 in educating our students. Student scores are high and achievement gaps closing.

However, yet still, the current board has not made transparent their intentions to the community.

Everyone understands the human resources and financial stipulations should remain confidential. However, withholding the renewal intent is not fair to you. Ask yourself or ask your neighbor with kids in the district, why?

Does a board member have personal bias over the community input? Should we accept that? Please, be part of the conversation.

Patrick Escalante

Glen Ellyn