Racine Unified Board Approves Shaw's Retirement, Laing's Interim Superintendent Contract

During a brief and emotional meeting Tuesday, members of the Racine Unified School District Board of Education ushered in a chapter in district leadership by approving the retirement of Superintendent James Shaw and the promoting Ann Laing to the position of interim superintendent. 

Members spoke graciously of Shaw's three years of service with the district before congratulating Laing, currently the executive director of instruction and support, on her new role within the district. 

"You've left some pretty hard shoes to fill," said board member Sue Kutz as her voice cracked to Shaw. "You had passion and wanted success for kids and that is something that is hard to replace. This is an emotional time for me to."

Later, board member Don Nelson, who was present at the meeting through a conference call, told the board that he learned of Shaw's commitment to the students the first day he was on the job when he rode a bus to school with the kids. 

"Running for School Board when you are retired is probably not the best thing for you to do," said Nelson, offering a piece of friendly advice to Shaw as the other members of the board chuckled. 

"You don't have to worry about that," Shaw responded. 

As they took turns with their remarks, many board members pointed to Shaw's development of North Star, a vision for educating all students, as one of his crowning achievement. North Star led to business partnerships, and a data driven school improvement system to confront meet No Child Left Behind requirements.

"Dr. Shaw continued to bring us back to what about the kids and always bring us back to the data," board member Pastor Melvin Hargrove said. "The passion that you showed in approving the achievement gap when, in many cases, is still not a very  popular thing to talk about  … you stuck to your guns on it. I appreciate that." 

Hargrove recalled the first conversation he had with Shaw in which he described his work as an life-long educator as a calling rather than a job. 

"If it was simply a job then you would have never taken this because of your intellect, you would have been too smart to take this job," Hargrove said. "The calling was that you put your passion over your senses sometimes. I appreciate that." 

Shaw's contract contains a termination by mutual consent section that allows the board and Shaw to end the contract with a written agreement. After the board voted unanimously on the termination of the contract, Shaw spoke briefly.  

"This was an incredible opportunity to bring together the work I have done over the last 40 years," he said. 

As Shaw spoke, thunder was heard outside as an aggressive rain storm moved above Racine. Moments later, during board member remarks regarding the hiring of Laing as superintendent, the thunder grew louder and the lights briefly went out twice, as if the heavens had something to say about the proceedings. 

"Your dedication and experience to student learning is truly impressive and is going to bring a lot into the position as we continue to move forward on the building blocks that Dr. Shaw had laid down," board president William Van Atta said. 

Laing will receive a yearly salary of $150,000 along with sick leave, paid holiday and vacation pay. The district agreed to pay Laing $1,250 into her 403(b) plan, a $650 per month vehicle allowance and a $55 per month allowance for a cell phone.