ROSCOE VILLAGE — Finalists for the vacant Lane Tech principal post made their case for the school's top job at a public forum Tuesday night, with the Local School Council set to announce their choice on Thursday.
Brian Tennison and Edwina Thompson fielded questions from a packed crowd of parents, teachers and staff for nearly two hours.
Topics hit on everything from preparing students for the switch from the ACT to the SAT college entrance exam to the candidates' philosophy on homework.
Tennison, an assistant principal at Taft High School, had the tougher job of the two, with Thompson, an assistant principal at Lane Tech, already known to many in the school's community.
"I have worked fearlessly and boldly under three principals," Thompson said.
She pointed to the school's high ACT scores, $49 million in college scholarships, and 5,200 advanced placement exams as a track record she would not only maintain but build on.
Introducing himself to the gathering, Tennison emphasized his passion for teaching — he spent 16 years as a social studies teacher at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School — and the importance of being collaborative.
"I loved teaching," he said. "It is the teacher in me that thinks about what instruction looks like in the classroom. That's the work of the building."
Pressed on specifics like budget allocations and what changes or improvements he would make to the school, Tennison said, "I can't give you the bullet-point list. To actually change, I have to talk to the people doing the work.... So what would I do? I'd ask questions. You've got to let me show up and then I've got to ask."
Given that this is the second straight year Lane Tech lost its principal to suburban Deerfield, loyalty was a major topic of discussion.
Thompson noted that her ties to the school run deep. She's a Lane Tech alum, did her student teaching at the school and taught English at Lane before being promoted to the administrative team. She'd happily retire from the school, she said.
Tennison said he's turned down jobs in the suburbs.
"I don't want to work in the suburbs. I will spend the rest of my career in CPS," he said. "I'm loyal to Taft and I'm loyal to the idea and hope that I become principal at Lane."
Following a protracted principal search in 2015 that resulted in CPS CEO Forrest Claypool appointing the school's leader, Lane Tech's LSC — which underwent nearly 100 percent turnover in recent elections — prioritized transparency and communication in the current process, according to Emily Haite, the LSC chairwoman.
"There were a lot of bad feelings last year," Haite said.
After receiving 17 resumes for the job, the LSC interviewed five candidates before arriving at the two finalists, she said.
The forum was arranged to "take into consideration all the stakeholders," said Haite.
Feedback on Tennison and Thompson can be sent to the LSC via email at lanetechlsc@gmail.com.
Paul Kuzma, among the parents in attendance Tuesday night, said he appreciated the opportunity to hear from Tennison and Thompson.
"I thought both candidates did well. It's nice that the LSC presented two strong candidates," he said.
Asked what is most needed in a Lane Tech principal, Kuzma said, "I think the scale of Lane Tech requires a personality who can work with a large group ... someone who can manage a lot of resources."
Lane Tech, 2501 W. Addison St., is the largest school within CPS with an enrollment of more than 4,000 students.
Tuesday's meeting was held at Waters Elementary School, 4540 N. Campbell Ave., because Lane Tech is closed for construction.
On Thursday at 6:30 p.m., the LSC will meet in Lane Tech's driver's education building and is expected to make its final choice between Tennison and Thompson.
Debate over the candidates will take place in closed session but LSC members will cast their vote in open session.
"We are very impressed with and happy with both of them," Haite said. "I hope we can come to a consensus and hope we have someone hired at the start of the school year."
Brian Tennison meets with members of the Lane Tech community at a principal candidate forum. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
Edwina Thompson recruits the next generation of Lane Tech student following a principal candidate forum. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
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