Fenton administrator Leden discusses becoming the next superintendent in Kaneland

SUGAR GROVE – Todd Leden received warm applause Monday night, as he was introduced as the next superintendent of Kaneland School District 302. His sons, Andrew and Evan, led the crowd assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance at the board meeting at Kaneland Harter Middle School in Sugar Grove.

Leden, 47, was unanimously approved by the Kaneland school board. The Geneva resident currently is the principal and associate superintendent at Fenton High School in Bensenville. From 1997 to 2004, he worked in Geneva School District 304, where he was a teacher and a coach.

When he decided he wanted to become a superintendent one day, he said he thought of some places that might make sense.

“I thought someplace like Kaneland would be perfect,” Leden said, adding that it’s a good fit because it is a kindergarten-through-12th-grade district, which appeals to him.

The Fenton district is a high school district, though he said he also would have been pleased to eventually be a superintendent at Fenton, as well.

At a meeting with the community last week, Leden said the Kaneland job was the only superintendent position he had sought.

Leden has a doctorate in education from Aurora University. He earned a master’s of education in educational leadership and athletic administration.

Cheryl Krauspe, president of the Kaneland school board, said she was happy to welcome Leden to the district.

“He wants to be here,” she said. “That became very clear. … He’s going to be very visible. We wanted someone to be the face of the district, and he’s going to be.”

Krauspe said Leden will make a base salary of $175,000. She said it is a three-year contract.

His contract starts July 1, and he will spend the remainder of this school year at Fenton as the district works toward completion of a major construction project.

“I believe that he is the one who will lead us to the next level at Kaneland,” Krauspe said. “I believe the foundation is there, and I believe we are going in the right direction. But I believe it’s going to take a strong leader to pull it all together.”

Leden said he will stay informed of Kaneland issues and will attend district events and school board meetings.

The district still has the services of Renee Goier, the interim superintendent. Goier is under contract for 100 days with the district, and Krauspe said she has 53 days remaining.

“We will stretch those days,” Krauspe said. “We will be frugal with her time.”

Leden was joined at Monday’s meeting by his wife, Jennifer, in addition to his sons. His daughter, Lexi, was unable to attend.

Leden said he is familiar with the area, since he has a sister who lives in the Kaneland district. He said he has been to the district’s schools several times. He said he lives on the west side of Geneva, and he is close to Kaneland schools.

Krauspe said Leden will be “rock steady.”

“He’s got a vision,” she said. “He’s got the drive for improvement and to add rigor. But he’s relational. He is a communicator. He is a collaborator. He’s approachable.”

Leden said he is not concerned about reports he has heard about board members clashing at meetings. He said he would “not want to judge” the situation until he had an opportunity to see it in action.

“I do get the newspaper, and I have seen people share comments,” Leden said, adding that “every board is different, and every board has a different makeup.”

He said he has not had any problems with board members through the interview process.

“Any interactions with the board were nothing but positive,” Leden said.