Dist. 204 dedicates offices to Crouse

Howard Crouse has officially solidified his place in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 history.

On Monday, Indian Prairie dedicated its administration building to Crouse, the former superintendent who retired in June after 26 years in the district.

At Crouse's last school board meeting over the summer, the board surprised him with a unanimous vote to name the building at 780 Shoreline Drive in Aurora the Howard Crouse Education Center.

"He brought all of that energy with him into this structure every single day ... his spirit is here and will always be here," board member Jeannette Clark said. "He is one of the instrumental people who brought this district from good to great."

During Crouse's time in the district, he served in numerous roles, working his way up from principal of Indian Plains Elementary School where he began in 1981 to the district's superintendent, a position he held for three years.

He led the district through 11 referendums and saw it grow from 5,400 students to almost 29,000 students. He also collaborated with the College of DuPage to create the Frontier Campus, which gives high school students a chance to earn college credit.

"To do those right, to do all those things it takes with boundaries and architects and all that is a huge positive statement and Howie managed all that," new Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said.

At Monday's ceremony, a student, teacher, clerical staff member, administrator and board member each symbolically accepted the building on behalf of their groups.

"During your 26 years of service, Indian Prairie students have benefited from your hard work, dedication and your ability to always put us at the forefront of all your decisions," Waubonsie student Brittney Thomas said.

Martha Baumann, director of elementary education, said Crouse's leadership serves as a model for all administrators.

"To lead with integrity, to lead with child focus and to keep all things in perspective as when you would so gently remind us take your job seriously but not yourself," Baumann said.

With tears in his eyes, Crouse addressed the crowd of former colleagues who gathered to honor him.

"It's a pretty unbelievable feeling to walk into a building with your name on it. I expected to only be under a stone (with my name on it)," he joked.

He said he was lucky to work with an incredible staff for so long.

"So many of you ... have contributed to not really my success but the success of the district," he said. "Because that's what it's ultimately all about."