Longtime L-C High School principal to retire

For the Star-News

LUXEMBURG – Troy Haws, Luxemburg-Casco (L-C) High School principal since January 2017, has completed his final academic year with the district prior to his retirement at the end of June, concluding 37 years in education — the past 30 at L-C.

“This high school — and the hundreds of educators and thousands of students I have crossed paths with – has had a major impact on my life,” Haws said. “I appreciate all of the support I’ve received from colleagues, parents, students and past administrations. To work for one school district for 30 years — that’s a long time.”

The 60-year-old Haws shared that he had no concrete plans for his retirement beyond visiting his three adult children and two grandchildren — all of whom live out of town — more often with his wife, Dawn.

Two of his children live in the Phoenix area, the other in Madison.

“I have enjoyed working with Troy and will miss his dry sense of humor,” says Jo-Ellen Fairbanks, Ph.D., Luxemburg-Casco superintendent. “I have always appreciated his calm demeanor and good judgment when working through challenging situations.”

Over his seven-and-a-half years as LCHS principal, Haws has taken great pride in the changes he supported, providing increased opportunities for students to follow their interests and engage in a career pathway while still in high school.

These include Youth Apprenticeship — Luxemburg-Casco High School has the highest YA participation rate in Wisconsin with 58 percent of eligible students engaged in the program — along with the Bellin College Healthcare Academy, the automotive/diesel technician pathways and Rising Phoenix, a dual-enrollment program with UW-Green Bay, where students can earn college credits while still in high school.

“I was part of helping to make that happen by providing the new structure,” he said. “When I taught here, we had the traditional seven-block schedule. Students now have a better opportunity to shine and show their individual strengths, and can find their pathway during their high-school years.”

Haws will miss the daily interactions with students and staff the most.

“We have an awesome student body,” he added. “Kids are always going to be kids – that’s never changed. They’re finding their way as young adults, soon to be adults. Even the kids that may struggle, those sometimes are the ones that you build the strongest relationships with.

“One of the things I’ve learned as principal is that you’re never going to have all the answers. When you have good people, which L-C does in its staff, you give them the opportunity and freedom to use their skills. People tend to exceed your expectations, at least here they do.”

A 1987 graduate of UW-Green Bay with a degree in science and environmental change, Haws began his professional career as a middle-school science and math teacher for three years at the now-defunct St. Michael’s School in Whitelaw.

He then spent four years (1990-94) as a middle-school teacher at Two Rivers Central Catholic School, adding the duties of high school athletic director the final two years.

He left his native Two Rivers in 1994 to join the Luxemburg-Casco School District.