U-46 can't afford public apathy in superintendent search

"So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed … too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating effect."

I pulled that quote from "Her Star Still Shines," a collection of essays and anecdotes by Eleanor Roosevelt I read and re-read as a child.

It fits in neatly with my experience at one of the first Elgin Area School District U-46 superintendent search community forums, which a lone parent chose to attend.

Ann Johnson, a Larkin High School parent and longtime Elgin resident, sat surrounded by empty folding chairs in a Creekside Elementary School Room set up for 100.

"I'm not totally surprised," Johnson said. "The district has lots of opportunities for parents to get involved, and this is usually what happens."

The Creekside forum is one of nine meetings organized by Milwaukee-based ProAct Search Inc., aimed at collecting the community's thoughts on the qualities needed in the individual who will replace outgoing Superintendent Connie Neale.

Neale, now living in Missouri, submitted her resignation in October. On indefinite medical leave, she will remain on the district's payroll until Feb. 25.

With Interim Superintendent Mary Jayne Broncato now running the state's second-largest school district, Neale no longer has a hand in daily decisions made at U-46.

She continues to have an impact on its finances, however. If the school board approves the recently negotiated teacher's contract next Monday, Neale's total compensation package totals just over $535,000 this school year.

In addition to Broncato's per diem pay of $1,100, U-46 will pay ProAct $27,000 for its services, plus up to $18,000 of search expenses, which include background checks on finalists, travel expenses, supplies, advertising and technology expenses. That's a total superintendent cost of nearly $800,000 to taxpayers.

Attending the forum at Creekside, you wouldn't know there was ever any sort of public outcry over Neale's contract deal.

"It's been a long time since we heard from the community the qualities they want in a leader," school board member Amy Kerber said.

"To me, these forums are more than just hiring a new superintendent."

And they are. Like not choosing to vote in the upcoming presidential primaries, not expressing your opinion about the strengths needed in a new superintendent strips you of the right to complain of the choice selected.

If you missed the forums, your voice can still be heard. Fill out one of the online surveys at the district's Web site, or call and talk to a ProAct consultant. Anything.

U-46 can't afford this silence.

• Kerry Lester covers Elgin Area School District U-46, Central School District 301 and Elgin Community College. She can be reached at (847) 608-2722 or klester@dailyherald.com