D-205 Adds Another Administrative Position

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst public school system is adding an administrative position in its technology department, which is expected to cost taxpayers at least $120,000 a year. It is at least the second new top position since 2018.

This week, the District 205 school board voted unanimously for adding the position of director of instructional technology. This would be in addition to the longtime position of the executive director of technology. The new director would report to a member of the administration with a long title, assistant superintendent of innovation and systems management, currently held by Scott Grens. The new person would be expected to work with the executive director of technology.

In a district memo, Superintendent Dave Moyer noted the technology department has remained the same size for the last dozen years. That was during the reign of David Smith, executive director of technology, who left this year. He was replaced by Robert "RJ" Bialk, who makes $131,000 a year.

The memo stated that the workload of the technology department has increased, especially with the reliance on remote learning during the pandemic.

The district also now provides a laptop for every student and "enhanced" multi-media spaces in all buildings, the memo said. Enrollment is up by 1,000 students over a dozen years ago, totaling about 8,500 today.

The memo described the duties of both technology directors.

Bialk supported the new position, saying, "This is the grease that could speed up the wheels with instructional technology."

Grens, the assistant superintendent, agreed, using humor to make his point.

"I think this person will wear a cape. They will have superhero status," he said.

In the summer of 2018, the school board voted to add the assistant superintendent of human resources position to the administration. The vote was 5-2, after a minute of public discussion.

Behind closed doors, though, members had a spirited debate over whether to add another high-paying administrative position. Citizen watchdog Edgar Pal challenged the closed discussion, saying it violated the state's open meeting law. He ended up suing the district, which settled and released the recording of most of the discussion.