Northbrook’s Field Middle School assistant principal to retire after 41 years

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Field Middle School assistant principal Dan Razes is shown by the school's sign. Razes will be retiring June 30. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media

Updated: October 30, 2011 12:04AM

Dan Razes didn’t even know West Northfield Elementary School District 31 existed when he applied for a job teaching science at a neighboring high school.

But when District 31 officials heard about him though a high school contact he received a call and eventually the offer of a job.

“I was certified as a science teacher. I actually applied at the high school,” Razes said. “District 31 called. I had a 30-minute interview and I was hired.”

That was 1970 and the beginning of his 41-year career in District 31. Razes, assistant principal at Field Middle School, retired this week.

That quick hiring process is a far cry from what applicants go though today, he said.

“Now the process can take days,” Razes said. “There are so many applicants. We’ll get 100 applications for a position. So many people are qualified now.”

Razes has been involved in that process and knows what the district looks for in new teachers. It’s much more complicated than when he was hired.

“We’re looking more in terms of a good fit in terms of reaching style and being a team player,” he said.

Razes spent his entire career at Field and in fact never wanted to leave.

“I started at Field and I stayed at Field for 41 years. The district grew around me,” Razes said. “I didn’t migrate out. I stayed within the system.

“ I think I was very, very lucky to be in a community like this, surrounded by professional people.”

As assistant principal Razes has worked for seven principals. But that was a job he said he never wanted.

Instead, he said, the job of assistant principal fit his personality and skills.

“I always wanted to be an assistant principal. I wanted to deal with the operations of the building, the student issues, the scheduling, the buses, the lunchroom, the day to day nitty gritty.”

Razes said the job has worked for him because of his ability to accommodate the current principal.

“I’m a survivor. I use the term survival loosely. It was the ability to adjust to different visions, different personalities and leadership styles. I didn’t mind working with another person.”

“That’s just my style. I like looking at the big picture,” Razes said. “To me a school runs day by day. Period by period sometimes.”

One of the changes Razes said he has seen is in the involvement of parents and readiness of their children.

“I have found that over the years kids are coming to us better prepared, more respectful as a whole.”

Razes explained what he calls the “95/5 percent rule.

“Ninety-five percent of the kids are super, hard workers, respectful. Five percent on a day by day basis may want to challenge things, may have bad days. And in our school even that 5 percent isn’t a big challenge.”

Razes taught in the classroom for about 10 years. In 1976 I obtained his masters degree in biology and three years later he earned a masters in administration. That was when he was promoted to assistant principal.

It’s a decision he hasn’t regretted.

“I like the management end, the operations, keeping the school running smoothly. It’s about teaching, but it’s also about making sure everything is working the way it should be.”

Razes said technology has change his job considerably, with the school operations moved to computers. In the past much of the work including the complicated class scheduling was done on paper.

“It’s allowed me to be a smarter administrator. more efficient. All of the scheduling is now on computer. “

Razes, who lives in Buffalo Grove, said that at age 62 he is ready for his retirement.

“Retirement will be nice. The first year will be a year of searching and blowing with the wind, wherever the wind blows.”

At the same time, though, Razes said it he won’t be completely walking away from the district. He plans to do some substituting at Field, at least for the first year.

“I still like working here. It’s a great place to work.”

He also plans to spend some time with his hobby.”I like working with tools. I’m a tool guy.”

There are things Razes said he will miss, mostly the people he has worked with.

“I think I’ll miss the camaraderie, the connection with people I admire and trust. When you’re in a small school like this you get to know people.

“I will miss the daily routine of interacting with my colleagues.”

Razes is leaving at a time when the district is facing serious financial problems. After a failed tax hike referendum in April the school board has cut programs and staff.

That is something Razes said he hates to see.

“I understand the financial dilemma homeowners are in, but at the same time good schools beget good communities. It all boiled down for taxpayers to $1.50 a day.”

When people ask Razes the first thing he will do in his retirement, he has a ready answer. “I’m going to run off my alarm clock and jus try to relax and organize my personal life.”