U-46 to keep Torres past 2014

The Elgin Area School District U-46 board is likely to approve a new contract Monday that keeps Superintendent Jose Torres at the helm of the state’s second-largest district past 2014.

The contract extension, as board members described it, comes as a result of Torres’ annual performance review and a mutual desire that Torres stay at his post for several years.

The timing is perhaps unusual because Torres, who arrived in the district in 2008, is already set to stay until 2014.

But some board members said that having stable leadership is important as the district implements new initiatives to bolster student achievement — most of those started on Torres’ watch.

“I think consistency is very important,” said board member Karen Carney, whose term ends Monday.

Keeping Torres past 2014 would allow him to oversee the Destination 2015 plan, an ambitious, five-year plan for student achievement and financial stability the board adopted last year.

“This is his goal,” board member Dale Spencer said. “He wants to see it through. I am confident he will do that.”

Board members would not reveal details of the contract, saying that information was protected by law.

The Illinois Open Meetings Act doesn’t require boards to discuss such matters behind closed but merely allows them to do so.

Torres could not be reached for comment. Details of his contract will be available after Monday’s vote, board members said.

Torres’ base salary has remained at $220,000 since he was hired in 2008, as a result of a salary freeze and his decision in 2009 to turn down an $8,140 raise.

A salary boost for Torres — depending on the size — could be a political liability for the school board as it prepares to negotiate contracts with six unions, including teachers.

“There is obviously symbolism that’s attached to (Torres’ contract),” Elgin Teachers Association President Kathy Castle said. “I would not expect the board to do anything extravagant in regard to employees at this point.”

But the board might need some incentive if it wants to keep Torres, who was recently picked to serve on a national commission on school finance and equity.

Torres’ contract first appeared on the board agenda April 25, but board members pulled it off because the language had not been finalized. The board will vote on the contract Monday before the new board is seated.

“We’re the ones that evaluated him, so the people who evaluate him should be the ones to do the contract,” Carney said.

Jennifer Shroder, who will be sworn in Monday as one of two new board members, said she agrees, but that the discussion over whether to keep Torres ought to take place in public, instead of behind closed doors.

“I don’t see why you can’t discuss your differences in public,” Shroder said. “I think it promotes civilized discourse.”

The public should also have a chance to weigh in, she said.

“If anybody knew Dr. Torres’ contract was up, maybe the people would come in and say this is good or bad,” Shroder said. “The board should be able to hear that.”

Recently re-elected board member Amy Kerber said although there may not be a formal opportunity for the public to comment on the contract extension, board members are constantly receiving feedback on Torres.

“We hear from people all the time,” Kerber said. “It is an ongoing monitoring process.”