Wednesday, Aug. 31 will officially be my last day as RUSD superintendent. I came to Racine after accepting a two-year contract and my tenure has now been three years. I believe this is the right time for new leadership in Racine. It is also the right time for me to personally retire after more than 40 years of service to education.
Over the past five years, RUSD has developed the North Star vision of excellence for all students, and a new data driven school improvement system; effective leadership teams involving all staff are functioning throughout the District; tough budget decisions have been made by working collaboratively with our unions to reduce expenditures by $25 million; 15 new principals are eager to begin a new school year; central office (Administrative Service Center) has been downsized and reorganized to better focus on supporting schools in improvement efforts; a new central office building and a District Improvement Plan will improve service to parents, schools, and community; finally, RUSD has strong leadership in an excellent School Board and the well-established leadership structures.
These leadership bodies are comprised of outstanding community, union, staff, and administrative leaders committed to advancing and continuously improving RUSD. The work of these leadership groups is also supported by local community business leaders, parents, and higher education partners. The superintendent is an important leader, but the School Board, staff, and community are the even more important, long-term leaders who maintain critical values and set direction over the long haul.
RUSD has a clear superintendent succession plan in place with Dr. Ann Laing, a 22-year, highly respected Racine administrator ready to serve as Interim Superintendent. Everyone knows Dr. Laing or is familiar with her important work in special education, inclusion and early childhood education. Dr. Laing has worked in numerous leadership positions, including Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. Dr. Laing is one of the best educational leaders I have worked with anywhere. I know she will continue the shared leadership effort to make Racine Unified one of the finest urban school districts anywhere.
This is also the right time, personally, for me to retire. My wife, Jean, is recently retired and my new granddaughter, Esme, needs to see her grandfather more often. Thanks to your support and hard work, my service as RUSD Superintendent is the most fulfilling and important experience of my educational career. I have learned a lot in three years, but it is time.
For the past 40 years, I have served as a teacher, administrator, professor and superintendent. I know of no better staff than RUSD employees. I am proud to say I am part of the RUSD team that shares a vision and commitment to improve learning for all students. Despite all the criticism of urban public education and the challenges we will continue to face, RUSD staff make a difference in the lives of children every day. Thanks for allowing me to share in that important work.
