PRESS RELEASE: RACINE UNIFIED’S JANELL DECKER, WINNER OF THE STRIVE TOGETHER CHERYL BOARDNAX AWARD FOR INNOVATION AND RESULTS

[Photo] From left: Shannon Powell, Director of Local Government, StriveTogether; Ben Taft, Data Impact Manager, Higher Expectations for Racine County; Jody Bloyer, Deputy Superintendent, Racine Unified School District; Janell Decker, award recipient; Cheryl Bordanax’s son and husband, award presenters; Elizabeth Erickson, Executive Director, Higher Expectations for Racine County; and Leanna Jones, Community Engagement Manager, Higher Expectations for Racine County.

Racine, WI – Higher Expectations for Racine County is proud to announce that Janell Decker, Deputy Chief of Assessment, Curriculum & Instruction at Racine Unified School District (RUSD), has received the StriveTogether Cheryl Broadnax Award for Innovation and Results. The award was presented at the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network Annual Convening in Atlanta, Georgia, this month. Higher Expectations has been a member of the StriveTogether network since 2014, and nominated Decker for the award.

The Cheryl Broadnax Award honors the late StriveTogether team member’s memory and impact. Each year, Cheryl’s family presents the award to a school district leader who embodies her courage, innovation, and curiosity while advancing more equitable outcomes for students. Decker’s leadership has transformed how RUSD approaches student achievement since 2017, when she began embedding continuous improvement (CI) practices across the district. Inspired by a StriveTogether convening presentation from Superintendent Pat Greco of the School District of Menomonee Falls, she partnered with Higher Expectations and local educators to design a framework that put data and collaboration at the center of student success. Over time, she has guided this work through multiple administrations, ensuring its sustainability and impact.

“As superintendent, I have had the opportunity to witness Janell’s work at the highest levels and I can say with confidence that she is one of the most impactful and innovative leaders in public education today,” said Soren Gajewski, Superintendent of Racine Unified School District. “Janell embodies what this award stands for: a refusal to accept the status quo and a relentless commitment to improving outcomes for all students.”

Among her accomplishments, Decker led the creation of the Early Literacy Data Dashboard, a real-time tool that tracks progress and helps educators intervene earlier than ever before. She also championed the integration of CI into middle school math and expanded data-driven practices across grade levels. These efforts have positioned RUSD at the forefront of Wisconsin’s early literacy work under Act 20 while building a districtwide culture of continuous learning and collaboration. Decker also worked closely with Cheryl Broadnax during the early years of CI implementation, especially as the district navigated the challenges of COVID-19. Cheryl’s mentorship reinforced Janell’s determination to challenge the status quo and supported her vision for districtwide adoption. “Janell embodies the spirit of the Cheryl Broadnax Award—she is determined, courageous, innovative, and relentlessly curious,” said Elizabeth Erickson, Executive Director of Higher Expectations for Racine County.

The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network Convening brought together leaders from across the country to exchange strategies for building equitable systems of student success. Decker’s recognition affirms Racine’s leadership in advancing innovative, data-driven approaches to K–12 education. About Higher Expectations: Higher Expectations is a collective impact nonprofit that engages community partners, aligns efforts, and maximizes resources to promote excellence and equity in education and employment outcomes in Racine County. For the past nine years, Higher Expectations has committed to using evidence-based and data-driven decision making to identify local best practices, align community efforts, and track progress on key outcomes from birth to successful employment. They have three core goals: Every child enters school ready to learn; Every student succeeds in school; Every resident succeeds in a career.