After months of deliberation and after calling an emergency meeting on Aug. 30, Lane’s LSC was supposed to determine who the next principal was on Sept. 10. Candidates Clifford Gabor and Kathryn Anderson were expecting a decision as was the rest of the school. Instead, the LSC remained deadlocked and a principal was not chosen.

The meeting was held at the Lane auditorium. Approximately 20-30 teachers attended the meeting and former students of Gabor came out to support him. On stage, nine members of the LSC and David Gilligan sat together at a long table; the two members who did not personally attend listened in through phone. LSC Chairperson Lisa Applebaum, who conducted the meeting, strictly enforced the one-minute time limit for each speaker during public participation. At times, she also admonished the crowd for responding with applause.

When it was time for the LSC to vote on a candidate, they were at a stalemate. Unable to make a decision, the LSC voted for the CEO of the Chicago Board of Education – Forrest Claypool – to decide the next principal “without prejudice.”

According to lanetech.org, “In order for the LSC to award a contract, a candidate must receive seven affirmative votes.” Since neither Gabor nor Anderson received the seven votes necessary — Gabor received six and Anderson received five — the LSC decided to pass the decision to Claypool.

Both candidates were given two minutes to talk and try to persuade the LSC that they were the candidate for the job. Gabor went first.

“I stand ready to fulfill of the responsibility of Lane’s principalship. I believe the students of Lane have perseverance, tenacity, and grit. They are champions in every way,” Gabor said.

Colin Boyle
Lane alum Clifford Gabor speaks to the LSC on Sept. 10

Gabor has teaching experience in elementary school and high school, was a high school assistant principal, and was the contract principal of Mary Lyon Elementary School.

“I am committed to keeping Lane Tech College Prep High School the finest in the country by working alongside our distinguished faculty and staff. I am committed to working with our families and our community partners to make sure Lane continues to offer world class opportunities in all academic subjects, technology, athletics, ROTC, music, and art programs,” Gabor said.

Anderson, who has worked at Lane for eight years, has a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and a Master of Business Administration degree. She started working at Lane as a science teacher, was a coordinator for the Lane Tech Academic Center, and is now one of Lane’s six assistant principals.

“During the past three years as a leader at Lane, we have embodied the qualities of excellence, passion and pride through positive improvements including numerous classes and programs such as the AP Capstone Program, Innovation and Creation Lab… and numerous others improvements,” she said.

Colin Boyle
Kathryn Anderson, assistant principal, fights for Lane principal spot.

“As your next school leader, I am committed to embody the qualities of excellence, passion and pride, by strengthening relationship that will take us to the next level,” Anderson said.

Lane parent Doreen Huter, parent of Emily Welch, Div. 751, thought a “decision should have been made over the summer.”

Huter supported Mr. Gabor and she believed Gabor would have “brought a new life to Lane.”

“Although Ms. Anderson is wonderful, Mr. Gabor spoke with a lot of passion. He seems to have a lot of energy and seems well rounded,” Huter said.

Welch said that she feels that the entire process has been dragged out for too long.

Mr. Flygt, a music teacher, believes Lane is in a “good spot.”

“I don’t think a lot needs to be changed. There is no huge glaring need for change,” he said.

Flygt was at the LSC meeting to support the music department. Flygt said he was supporting no specific candidate; he was there “to support Lane.”

“Mr. Gabor is an alum of Lane, which is an appealing quality. Ms. Anderson is working on relationships and that’s important,” Flygt said.

When the next principal will be picked is still unknown. At the freshman and senior rules meeting on Sept. 15, Ms. Hanly said a new principal will be chosen “in the next one or two weeks.”