No retreat just yet for Dist. 211 board members

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board members won't be gathering around the campfire to sing "Kum Ba Yah" just yet.

The board on Thursday rejected a proposal for a four-hour retreat for its seven board members and incoming Superintendent Nancy Robb. They would have paid consultant James Warren $1,250 to lead the meeting.

The purpose would have been to help the board and Robb to develop a rapport. Robb on Thursday agreed to a 3-year contract, from Jan. 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.

The motion for a retreat failed 3-3, as board member Susan Kenley-Rupnow was absent and George Brandt, Bill Lloyd and Debra Strauss voted against it. The retreat will likely come up again at a future meeting.

Board member Anna Klimkowicz was disappointed. Improving how the board works together should be a priority, she said. Retreat topics would included the state of the district, leadership styles, setting goals and a review of expectations between the board and superintendent.

While Strauss supported the concept of the retreat, she worried discussion could turn personal.

"I loved the outline that was in the suggested motion, I just didn't like where the discussion was going away from the work of the board," she said.

Board member Lynn Davis, who wanted the retreat, added she wanted it to be open to the public.

A memo penned by Robb said Warren would be the ideal facilitator because he's familiar with the board's goals. The board paid Warren $6,000 to oversee the search to replace retiring Superintendent Roger Thornton, who is leaving at the end of December. The search was restricted to internal candidates working within District 211. Warren could not be reached for comment, as he is out of the office until next week.