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Editorials
Needed: Professionals for two tough jobs : Editorials : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisNeeded: Professionals for two tough jobs
| 3/22/2012
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Oswego Village President Brian LeClercq told us last week he may appoint the new village administrator during a village board meeting set for April 3. LeClercq's appointment will be subject to a vote of approval from the village board.
Meanwhile, the Oswego School District Board is now considering proposals from consulting firms to assist them in their quest to find a replacement for Superintendent Dr. Dan O'Donnell who will leave the district when his three-year contract ends in June.
O'Donnell tendered his resignation last month citing philosophical differences with the school board. Oswego Police Chief Dwight Baird has been serving as the village's interim administrators since last April, one month after Gary Adams resigned after serving in the position for five years. Adams cited a difficult "political climate" as his reason for departing the village.
The job of school superintendent and municipal manager or administrator has never been easy and, in recent years, has become even more difficult due in large part to the poor economy straining budgets.
Those who serve in the positions must attempt to lead their respective agencies as they provide necessary public services to large and increasingly diverse populations. To be effective, they also must earn and maintain the respect of their staffs while answering, ultimately, to elected boards whose memberships can shift as quickly as every two years. If they lose the trust and support of a majority of their respective boards, their days are likely numbered.
The jobs ahead for the next superintendent of schools and village administrator will be truly daunting. A key concern for them should be our own Illinois lawmakers who in all likelihood will attempt to close the state's multi-billion dollar deficit by shifting some costs back to local governmental agencies. Proposals have already been circulating in Springfield to trim allocations for school bus operations and to have local school districts take on more of the burden of their retired teachers' pension obligations. Even without those potential added costs, the Oswego School District will likely need an increase in its utility fund tax rate in the not-so-distant future to keep its budget balanced.
Municipal governments are significantly less reliant on state funding and property tax revenues, but a reduction in state financial support-say a cut in the state reimbursed income tax payments-would put a crimp in the already tight budgets of both Oswego and Montgomery.
We wish the village and school district well in their search for new chief administrators. It's extremely important for the community that both agencies hire individuals of integrity who are respected and experienced in their professions. We remain hopeful, but have no illusions given the political circumstances and the continuing financial pressures that the individuals to be hired will be here for an extended run.
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