Lockport school superintendent seeks Kaneland job
The second finalist for Kaneland School District's top job - the superintendent of a one-school district in South suburban Lockport - told an audience Thursday that his decisions are filtered by one primary concern.
"What's best for kids, and that's always been my focus," DJ Skogsberg said.
About 10 members of the public plus several members of the school board and district staff questioned him about his leadership style, why he wants to come to Kaneland, how he would deal with difficulties with the school board and more. Skogsberg, who lives in Plainfield, said because of his preference to live on the edge of suburbia, the Kaneland district would be a good fit for his family.
He is superintendent of Taft District 90, which includes students in kindergarten through eighth grade. He has taught or been in administration at school districts in Aurora, Yorkville and Naperville. He was an adjunct professor at Waubonsee Community College for about 14 years, and he teaches courses at Aurora University.
And, with a prompt from a school board member, he also mentioned he is fluent in five languages, including Hungarian and American Sign Language.
One audience member asked how he would answer people who are critical of the amount of money spent on special education.
"I was a kid in special education, and look at me now," he said.
He also spoke pragmatically, however, when another audience member asked how he would handle possible losses in state funding without cutting programs.
"I think you are going to be hard-pressed to find that's a feasibility," he said, noting that if proposed pension-reform and aid-distribution-formula legislation is adopted, Kaneland could lose up to $2.5 million.
On Wednesday, Todd Leden, principal of Fenton High School in Bensenville, toured schools and met with the public.
Comments about both candidates are being taken at kaneland.org/content/superintendent-search#feedback.
The school board is expected to hire a new superintendent Monday. It meets at 7 p.m. at Kaneland Harter Middle School, Harter Road and Esker Drive, Sugar Grove.
Former superintendent Jeff Schuler quit in August to become superintendent of Wheaton Warrenville District 200.