Elgin mayor: Torres' resignation doesn't end his community involvement

Despite Jose Torres' resignation from superintendent of U-46, he will remain an important asset to the Elgin community, Mayor David Kaptain said Friday.

Kaptain said Torres told him Thursday night that he intends to live and remain active in Elgin - even though his new position as president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is based in Aurora.

"I hope he stays in Elgin and continues to be part of our community," Kaptain said. "I look forward to working with him again."

In the six years Torres has served as superintendent, Kaptain said, he has improved the reputation of U-46 through a number of programs he initiated. In turn, he helped to improve the reputation of the city of Elgin, Kaptain said.

"(Torres' resignation) is a loss, I think, for School District U-46 and the communities they serve," Kaptain said. "He has made great strides by being available to the community (and) by being out there to talk to people. That was a great asset to not only Elgin but to U-46."

Elgin Councilwoman Rose Martinez echoed those sentiments, adding that Torres was very involved in the Hispanic and minority populations throughout the area.

"He was a good, positive role model for Latinos, for minorities," Martinez said. "I wish him nothing but the best."

Rise Jones, co-founder and executive director of Hamilton Wings, said Torres' resignation came as a surprise. As an education supporter, she said, she was impressed by Torres' commitment to excellence and equity.

"As the District U-46 Board works to fill his position, I know they will work to uphold these principles and foster and support innovative initiatives to support diversity in all subject areas," Jones said in a statement.

Torres' resignation from the Elgin-area school district also means he will step down from his position as board chairman of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, said chamber President Carol Gieske.