Racine---The next-in-line to lead Racine Unified received nothing but praise from multiple corners of the district's educational establishment Monday night.
It came just before the school board voted 8-1 to approve a retention agreement that keeps Eric Gallien in place as Deputy Superintendent until the end of current Superintendent Lolli Haws' contract in mid-2018.
The only 'no' vote came from Julie McKenna, who said the process of picking superintendents should be more open.
That didn't seem to bother anyone else who spoke. "The upheaval and the retooling and dare I say it the cost of searching for and hiring a new superintendent is unneccesary when we have a solid, known quantity right there," said Jerstad Elementary Principal Doug Clum. Clum is retiring at the end of the school year.
Additional praise came from representatives of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce, the Racine Education Association and the leader of Higher Expectations for Racine County Youth, a non-profit advocacy and support group. Former school board president Melvin Hargrove also had praise.
When it became his turn to speak, Dr. Gallien thanked Dr. Haws for her support as well as others who spoke. "I am truly honored by that," he said.
Gallien came to Racine Unified a little over three years ago after having held positions in Milwaukee Public Schools.
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From our partners at WRJN.