First day of school for Elgin area students
ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) -- Students in northwest suburban Elgin's U-46 school district headed back to class Monday morning, as did many kids across the suburbs.
"It was fun. It was really fun," said Jose Miranda Jr., student.
"We had to make some pictures - a bird picture, a raccoon picture. And they're all in my backpack," said Anabelle Magrone, 1st grader.
It's the first day of school in Elgin and at Harriet Gifford Elementary, more than 500 students were welcomed back with a flag-raising ceremony and a general assembly before the start of class. For parents, the end of the summer vacation is a welcome relief. We caught up with some of them at the end of the school day.
"This is my son's first day at this new school. I have two already here and they're excited, they couldn't wait this morning," said Jose Miranda, parent.
The second largest in Illinois, Elgin Area School District U-46 serves more than 40,000 children across 40 elementary schools, eight middle schools and five high schools.
This new year also brings with it a change in leadership. Superintendent Jose Torres is leaving after six years at the helm. Speaking to Eyewitness News earlier, he expressed the hope that he leaves the district in better shape than when he arrived.
"We've erased the deficit from $50 million in the hole to a $15 million surplus. We've expanded gifted programs and ended a lawsuit that I inherited and did that well," said Dr. Torres.
An interim superintendent will be designated at Monday night's board meeting, as well as a new CEO. Tony Sanders will be in charge of day-to-day operations. His biggest challenge will be determining needed boundary changes, something that hasn't been done since 2004.
"Trying to address schools that might be over enrolled and under enrolled and adjusting where the neighborhood boundaries are for where kids go to school," said Sander.
Monday night's board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. It will also include a presentation of the district's yearly budget.
