October 10, 2023
It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing the news of Dr. Law’s decision to retire from the superintendency of District 113 at the end of this academic year.
Dr. Law has led this School District through an unprecedented period. The turnover of superintendents throughout the Chicago suburbs is testimony to how challenging the last five years have been.
I want to be as clear as possible: the Board did not ask Dr. Law to resign, nor did it encourage or suggest that he do so. Dr. Law will continue actively and passionately to guide this District through this academic year.
Dr. Law’s tenure has seen a number of previously unimaginable events through which he has provided calm and steady leadership, including: working to restore a collaborative District culture after several tumultuous years of revolving administrations; navigating the uncertainties and disruptions of the Covid pandemic; and providing a steadying and compassionate voice through insensible gun violence and a spate of spoofing and swatting attacks. Dr. Law also provided a voice of moderation and calm throughout the arduous process of negotiating the first formal collective bargaining agreement in District 113’s history. The foregoing does not even include the “typical” events that routinely take place within a high school district and cause a superintendent’s hair to turn a bit grayer with each passing day.
We value Dr. Law’s grace under pressure; we appreciate his patience, his intelligence, his commitment to this District’s students, his commitment to this District’s mission, his simple decency and generosity no matter the situation, his willingness to listen, his desire to be fair, and his dedication to equity and inclusion for all students. Anyone who has spent any time with Dr. Law knows that he is unwaveringly committed to doing what is best for all students and to creating an equitable and inclusive environment. No matter the challenge, Dr. Law has endeavored to further the core mission of DHS and HPHS: to cultivate passion, to unlock the potential, and to inspire excellence in every student, no matter who they are or where they come from.
The single most impactful responsibility of any school board is the hiring of a superintendent because it is the superintendent who is responsible for setting the tone and priorities of the District, for turning the mission of the District into a reality, and for making overarching operational decisions. The District 113 School Board will act with alacrity and due deliberation to search for and hire a Superintendent who is passionate about District 113’s unwavering commitment to providing all students with opportunities to realize their unique potential through a rigorous and engaging curriculum, meaningful relationships, varied experiences, a positive school culture, and the cultivation of individual passion and resilience. To that end, the Board will hold a Special Meeting on October 18 to interview search firms and will vote to engage one of those firms on October 24. HPHS and DHS share a proud tradition and we are committed to finding a leader who will build upon that tradition. The School Board is resolutely committed to soliciting and listening to the District’s stakeholders including staff, students, parents and guardians, future parents and guardians, and all other community members.
This District is blessed with the staff, the students, the resources, and the community sufficient to make it one of the highest achieving high school districts in this nation for each and every one of its students. We will accept nothing less. When Dr. Law’s final day as Superintendent comes at the end of the year, he will leave this District in better condition and more prepared to respond to whatever the future may bring.
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