New Dist. 94 boss looks forward to getting down to work

For the next few months, Lalo Ponce plans to be one of West Chicago Community High School District 94's most enthusiastic students.

"I want to listen and learn," he said.

Ponce, 60, took over July 1 as superintendent in District 94, replacing Superintendent Lee Rieck, who retired at the end of this school year.

The longtime educator has decades of experience as a teacher, principal and administrator. He worked first in Dallas, then for 16 years in Elgin Area School District U-46, most recently as assistant superintendent for administrative operations.

"There are very few things I have not had to deal with, and that will be very helpful as we move forward," he said.

Ponce learned in January that his job was one of seven U-46 administrative positions being eliminated at the end of the 2008-09 school year. He landed the top job in District 94 several months later, signing a five-year contract for $170,000 a year, including pension.

Ponce wants to spend the next 60 to 90 days talking with teachers, administrators, students, parents, community members and business leaders to hear "their perceptions, ideas and thoughts about the district."

And when school starts, he plans to visit every classroom in the one-school district.

"After I've got that information, I'll begin plotting a vision and mission statement to go forward," he said.

He plans to focus initially on three goals:

• To make sure the district is providing "the very best services" so students at all levels will be able "not just to compete but to compete at a very high level."

• To ensure "we have rigor in our curriculum offerings. I don't mean only for kids taking advanced classes, but for kids in the middle and those who are struggling."

• To connect with the community. "We need to ensure our parents are participating in the education of students and ensure our community as a whole is connected to our school."

To that end, his ideas include bringing senior citizens into the school on a quarterly basis and to set up an advisory committee of business leaders.

And he plans to meet with student groups "to ask them what is it we can do to make your experience here better, more productive," he said. "You gain a lot by talking with students."

District 94 officials said during the superintendent search they were looking for someone who would help the high school grow as a leader in English Language Learners programs, work well with feeder districts and had a track record of operating a balanced budget. Officials also praised Ponce for his ability to reach out to parents and get them involved in school.

Ponce was on the job in U-46 until June 30. The next morning, he was at his new desk in District 94, though he plans to take some vacation time later in the summer.

But the long window between the time he accepted the job and his start date gave him time to lay the groundwork for the transition. He cheered for the Wildcats at a sectional track meet and has been attending school board meetings.

He has been impressed by the school's staff as well as by the students and parents.

Ponce lives in Campton Hills in Campton Township with his wife, Linda, an occupational therapist. The couple has one son, Logan, a student at the University of Illinois in Urbana.