The choice of Dr. Steven Isoye to leave as superintendent of Oak Park and River Forest High School for whatever opportunity he sees ahead in Niles Township leaves our villages in a tough spot.
The annual season of searching for and choosing superintendents is officially closed. Isoye took an empty chair in Niles and left us with an empty chair in an inevitably difficult moment. We see no choice for this fairly rudderless school board other than to hire an interim leader for the next year. Whether that person is a current mid-level administrator at OPRF or a professional temp piling onto a rich retirement, the year to come is going to be a lost one.
Yes, the first thought is of that damnable pool and the controversial referendum necessary to pay for whatever version finally wins by din of exhaustion.
But our focus is on preparing to negotiate a new district contract with faculty, one that expires two years from now. The lame and status quo document acceded to by the current administration and board was unambitious in a district that needs gamely new thinking to address critical issues of academic equity for black students.
Erase next year and give an incoming super a year to get their bearings and the contract opportunity is lost. They’ll likely be trying to pass a pool referendum anyhow. Or dealing with the long-predicted spike in student enrollment. Or restaffing the top jobs as Isoye’s choices potentially vacate.
This is not good news. Especially with a school board whose educational vision has been drowned in the deep end of the pool.