Closing of a Chapter: Raleigh Announces Retirement
Summiting a mountain within a mountain range guarantees at least one conclusion every time - you take the last step realizing you’re at the top and there’s now another mountain to climb. While this could be discouraging to some, this isn’t the case for David Raleigh, Superintendent of LaRue County Schools. After 36 years in public education, he is on the final ascent of this mountain range, announcing his retirement as of July 1, 2024.
Six years ago, Raleigh came to the district taking on a school system accustomed to high achieving in academics, athletics, and activities. At the time, when taking the position he commented in an interview, “The expectation is that we are going to be the best. I’m excited about leading a district where that’s the expectation.” He has spent his time since 2018 exceeding those expectations.
A lot has changed since 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a challenge unlike anything the world had seen in global public health for a century. Yet, despite the obstacles experienced in that time, LaRue County Schools has continued to persevere. Raleigh reflects, “Although there is still work to be done, as a district, we have made great strides in many areas because of the collaborative efforts of the exceptional people who serve in our district. Our power is our people and I love every one of them.”
Public education is a difficult profession in every area. From custodians to classroom teachers, coaches to bus drivers, principals to instructional assistants, front office staff to administrators and beyond - all positions are united in the dedication to caring for the whole-child even though resources can often be limited and there never seeming to be enough time. In defiance of those challenges Raleigh credits the incredible staff serving LaRue County Schools, “I am also grateful for the exceptional teachers, dedicated support staff, child-centered principals, and district leaders who work tirelessly to provide exceptional services to the children of LaRue County. It is an honor to work alongside this extraordinary group of caring individuals that I fondly refer to as my Hawk Family.
While Raleigh has come to the end of this mountain range and will retire at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, he will never tire of cheering on the potential in those within his influence, “LaRue County Schools has unlimited potential and I look forward to watching them fulfill their vision of creating a future-driven school district, focused on the whole child where no group is ever marginalized.”
At LaRue County Schools, unique to other districts Raleigh previously served in, there is one high school and one united district-wide mascot, the Hawk. Six years ago in the interview previously mentioned, upon taking the job Raleigh forecasted his excitement for the sense of unity in school pride, “You can have allegiance to one school. I can be a Hawk.”
LaRue County Schools, along with the entire Hawk Family now remind him after six years of dedicated, courageous, and visionary leadership - “Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk.”
