Ex-Dist. 211 chief blames state

Former District 211 Superintendent Gerald Chapman was among those who reacted with disappointment to the news that teachers may strike next week.

"It's unfortunate," Chapman said. "The district has a history of being able to settle disputes without going this far."

Chapman left the post in 2001 after 11 years. Now an education consultant, he also was elected in April to a seat on the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board.

He said Friday that he's distanced himself from District 211 but wants students to get the same high-quality education they got when he was in charge.

Chapman said the real culprit driving the salary dispute is the state's failure to adequately fund schools, pressuring school districts like District 211 to tighten purse strings.

Union President John Braglia has maintained that relations between teachers, the school board and the administration started deteriorating after Chapman left.

Chapman, who spent 36 years in District 211 starting as a teacher, said he had the chance to build strong personal relationships with school staff. Neither of his successors has had that kind of history: Robert Malito, Chapman's immediate successor, left in 2004 after 2½ years; Thornton is set to retire in 2009.

Thornton's pending retirement is one reason the school board is pushing for a multi-year deal with the new contract.