Ames school district hires new superintendent from Chicago who's 'relentless for students'

Ames has a new superintendent, a public school administrator from the third-largest district in the United States.

The Ames school board unanimously approved Monday a three-year contract with Julious Lawson, from Chicago Public Schools. He will officially begin his duties July 1.

Lawson is chief of schools for Chicago's Network 11. The district there divides administration of its hundreds of schools into 13 smaller elementary networks, four high school networks and others, including for independent schools, academies and charter schools — and each network has its own chief of schools.

Lawson's network includes 27 elementary schools on the city's south side. Collectively, those 27 Chicago schools include approximately 9,000 students and more than 900 teachers and staff, according to a news release from Ames.

Ames has about half as many preschool through 12th grade students and teachers as in Lawson's network, according to information from the district and Iowa Department of Education.

He said in the district's news release that the opportunity in Ames made him reflect on a quote from John Buchan, "'The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.'"

Lawson's hire comes eight months after the school board in Ames accepted the resignation of its previous superintendent, Jenny Risner, who resigned in May 2021, one year into a three-year contract.

What has the journey been for Ames to find a new superintendent?

Risner, who was hired in 2018, left after the tumult of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and public criticism from the Iowa Legislature on the district's handling of addressing equity and inclusion through its Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action in 2021.

Following Risner's departure, Ames staff, parents, activists and community members, including the Ames NAACP president, told the board they wanted assurances that the end of Risner's tenure would not be the end of the district's work to hire and retain diverse staff. They also wanted a curriculum t relevant to all students' cultures, and address disparities in educational achievement, how students are disciplined and how school resource officers are used.

More: 'Going backwards is not an option': Ames calls for continued commitments to educational equity

The school board approved Paula Vincent to serve as the district's interim superintendent for the current school year.

In the fall, the board selected Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to serve as a third-party search firm to help the district find its next superintendent.

After the firm gathered public input in the fall, the board has this month been conducting closed session interviews with candidates.

Shields-Cook said Monday there were six candidates, primarily from the Midwest.

Lawson will be Ames' 28th superintendent in the district's 151-year history, according to the district's news release.

Shields-Cook said in the district's news release that Lawson "is an accomplished educational leader with a passion for student success and a dedication to working alongside teachers to improve outcomes for diverse learners."

Shields-Cook added that Lawson's background and expertise "match the desired characteristics our community expressed they want in our next superintendent. He is a servant leader, a unifier, and a skilled communicator. We are incredibly excited to welcome him to Ames."

She told the Tribune that Lawson has said "'I'm relentless for students,'" adding that he has "incredible instructional expertise."

The board approved Lawson's contract with a beginning compensation of $239,500.

The contract includes $220,000 in annual salary, a cash benefit of $1,000 a month and $7,500 a year that must be paid into a tax-sheltered annuity for the superintendent. Up to $10,000 in moving expenses is also included.

Risner was to be paid almost $208,000 a year — not including an additional $1,700 a year for use of her personal vehicle for official school business, and benefits including vacation time and sick leave, all of which is identical to what Lawson will receive.

Vincent's contract was also for a base salary of $208,000.

What does Lawson's experience in Chicago include?

According to Ames' news release, Lawson has been in his current position as chief of schools since 2018.

"Under his leadership, student attendance rates were maintained during the pandemic in one of the most challenging communities in Chicago. He was also integral in decreasing behavior referrals that led to out-of-school suspension and expulsions," according to the news release.

Furthermore, he has facilitated the implementation of strategies to boost academic achievement, "with a focus on equitable access for students," and has promoted best practices in teaching, according to the release.

Lawson has worked with Chicago Public Schools for 20 years, including as an elementary school principal and deputy chief of schools.

Chicago Public Schools describes Lawson as "unwavering in his belief that effective schools almost entirely overcome the effects of student backgrounds. He proudly leads schools in under-resourced communities where he was raised."

Chicago leaders also state that in three years with Lawson as principal of George M. Pullman Elementary School, "the school attained a Level 1+ rating, CPS’ highest school quality designation."

The news release also noted that some of his other accomplishments include "being the recipient of the 2021 Men of Excellence Award from the Chicago Defender, and the Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s Principal Achievement Award."

Shields-Cook said the district is working on setting dates for when Lawson can come meet with members of the community, but did not immediately have more details available.

Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune, including Iowa State University and PreK-12 schools in Ames and elsewhere in Story County. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames school district hires new superintendent, an administrator from Chicago