D-113 Set To Part Ways With Superintendent

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The District 113 Board of Education could decide to end its relationship with its embattled superintendent by mutual agreement Tuesday, as board members consider a separation agreement with Superintendent Christopher Dignam at a special meeting. Parting ways with the superintendent is the only item set for action at the meeting, according to its agenda.

The meeting will begin with a closed session board discussion of personnel matters or complaints and actual or probable litigation. After returning from closed session, the board will consider the approval of a separation agreement with Dignam. The terms of the proposed agreement have not been disclosed.

In public comment at recent board meetings, parents and staff at Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School described a deteriorating climate in the district that has corresponded with the superintendent's time at the district. Experienced teachers have been leaving both schools to make lateral moves to other districts, and several department heads have departed despite devoting decades to the district.

Dignam joined the district in July 2015 as principal of Deerfield High School after spending three years as a principal in Chicago Public Schools. He was named superintendent less than a year later and given a three-year contract with $205,000 salary. Seven months into his first job as a superintendent, in February 2017, Dignam requested a mid-year review and the board handed him a raise to $250,000 a year and extended his contract through 2021.

But recent staff surveys reflect a deterioration of the relationship between educators and administrators. In a district-wide climate survey, in interviews and at board meetings, teachers described feeling ignored and devalued by district leadership.

Dignam has not responded to repeated requests for comment, but in a statement released earlier this month, he said repairing relationships between staff and administrators was at the "forefront" of his efforts but would take time.

Comments from Spring 2018 District 113 Staff Survey:

• "Teachers in the district once had real trust and respect. Over the last 25 years, this has slowly eroded. But since [District Administrator] has become part of the district, the decline has been precipitous."
• "In recent years, decision making in the district have become increasingly top-down rather than collaborative and inclusive of all [stakeholders] who are impacted by decisions."
• "I wish the Board of Education would do more to gain an understanding about how teachers are feeling in this district and why incredibly talented people have left and are considering leaving."
• "I have no reason to trust that the Administration (building or district) understands the increased demands on teachers. There is a constant increase in tasks that seem more related to accountability than to teaching and learning."
• "There [used] to be an overwhelming respect and trust in the staff and the administration and school board would work or even support the staff. Now it just feels like Top Down decision making."

May 2 Open Letter from Superintendent Dignam:

I would like to provide some additional insight regarding concerns that have been raised over the past few months. District 113 has been in a state of leadership transition for the past few years, which has resulted in a number of new administrators at DHS, HPHS, and the District Office. The changes in leadership have provided our school community with different experiences, diverse perspectives, and most importantly, a fresh set of eyes. During this time, we have engaged stakeholders－students, parents, staff, and community－during the development of our Strategic Plan and have examined a variety of data to determine if the efforts that have been made by the District have been best supporting our students. These efforts include a systematic examination of all supports and offerings (curricular, facility, finances, programs, etc.). The reality is that we can do more for our students and will continue to focus our work to meet the needs of each individual that walks through our doors. Every single student deserves the best education and academic, social, and emotional supports that we can provide.

We owe it to every student and each member of the community to responsibly allocate our resources and develop programs that truly meet the needs of every student we serve. In any organization, change is received in different ways. We are committed to maintaining and continuing student offerings that support all learners, but also to making inclusive adjustments to our programs and practices so we can live up to our commitment to providing all students opportunities to realize their unique potential.

The climate at our schools and the morale of all staff － licensed, non-licensed, and administrators－are undoubtedly a priority for the leadership teams across our District and for the District as a whole. Climate surveys and assessments dating back to 2014 show consistent themes of distrust for administrative leadership, as well as the Board of Education in District 113. Repairing these relationships is at the forefront of our efforts and will take time, especially given the fragile and vulnerable state of our schools following the retirements and departures of school and District leaders over the past few years. I am fortunate to work with a leadership team that brings years of experience in a variety of roles within District 113, as well as experiences in different districts and communities. I have full confidence in our leadership team and in our dedicated staff and look forward to collaborating to provide an enriching educational program for our students

Dignam holds a master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University in River Forest, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and a doctorate in teacher leadership from Walden University, a for-profit online university.

MORE: Watch the presentation of the 2018 staff survey at the April 30 District 113 Board Meeting