Pruneau Takes Superintendent's Job in Illinois, but 'I am still committed to Rochester'

Retiring Superintendent David Pruneau was named superintendent of a school district in Elmhurst, IL, on Tuesday.

Pruneau will lead the suburban Chicago district, which includes 13 schools and more than 8,000 students, beginning July 1, That district's board of education offered him a three-year contract with a $212,000 salary the first year.

Rochester Board of Education president Barb Cenko issued the following statement Wednesday:

"The board wishes Mr. Dave Pruneau much success in his new position. The Elmhurst, Illinois, school district is fortunate to get such a student-centered educational leader. Under his direction, Rochester Community Schools has continued to improve the educational opportunities for our students.

"He has provided leadership, vision and passion in his position. Mr. Pruneau will be deeply missed by the board, staff, students and the community. We wish him great success in his new position."

Pruneau said this was the first and only superintendent position he applied for. He described Elmhurst as a community that is similar to Rochester. 

"They have the same high expectations from parents," he said Wednesday. "They are smaller, but there is the same culture. It sounds like there are a lot of dedicated people there, and it seemed like a good fit for me."

Pruneau's start date in Illinois is for Rochester schools (scheduled for June 27). He said he did not anticipate having to leave Rochester often before that time.

"I am still committed to Rochester. I have no intention of short-changing the parents here," he said.

Pruneau, 60, announced his retirement to the Rochester community in October. State public school retirement revisions approved last May were "too much of an incentive" for him, he said at the time. Those revisions allowed eligible employees to receive an increase of 1.6 percent over the standard retirement benefits. In an the announcement, he indicated he might look for an out-of-state superintendent position.

"It's going to be hard to replace Rochester," he said at the time. "Finding a place with dedicated staff ... to get into a position like that is not the easiest."

In Elmhurst, Pruneau replaces Superintendent Lynn Krizic, whose contract was not renewed this year. The superintendent search firm School Exec Connect, which is the same search firm conducting the search for Pruneau's replacement in Rochester, led the Elmhurst search.

In a written statement to the Elmhurst school community, Pruneau said he felt fortunate and privileged to be joining the educational team there.

“During my visits to Elmhurst and my interviews with staff, parents and board members, I was struck by how proud the community is of the many district accomplishments," he said.

Pruneau's total compensation last year in Rochester was $249,422, which includes insurance and other benefits.

Patch reporter Heather Mir contributed to this report.