School District U-46 is deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of former U-46 Superintendent Dr. José M. Torres. As our leader from 2008 to 2014, Dr. Torres served our school community as an educator and mentor, living his life with purpose, principle, and a commitment to excellence and equity in education.
“As a leader, mentor, and education advocate, Dr. Torres embodied the values of equity, service, and humanity,” said U-46 Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Johnson, who was hired by Dr. Torres as the Principal of Bartlett High School and later as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “His belief in people—and his insistence that we lead with purpose—shaped the trajectory of my career and life and the lives of countless others, including thousands of students. Our students in U-46 who will never know this amazing man, benefit every day from these principles.”
Dr. Torres championed programs that reflected his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and educational excellence. The district’s award-winning Dual Language program was launched under his leadership and now serves more than 12,000 students in preschool through grade 12. He also established the Superintendent’s Scholarship for first-generation college students, supported the creation of leadership institutes for Hispanic and African-American parents, and invested in early childhood education and programs for students with special needs.
“Above all, he reminded us and required that we must truly know our students—not just their academic data, but their stories, their struggles and their dreams,” Dr. Johnson said. “He led with heart and intellect. His legacy lives on in every classroom where a child feels seen, in every family that finds a voice, and in every leader who dares to imagine a more just and compassionate world. I will always be grateful for Dr. Torres’ vision, his courage, and his wisdom. He made us all better.”
The School District U-46 Board of Education honored Dr. Torres’ legacy with a moment of silence at its May 5 meeting.
The obituary for Dr. Torres can be read here.
