An Interview with Interim Superintendent Dr. Richard Segall
January 30, 2008 Filed in: Schools
The Board of Education has unanimously appointed Dr.
Richard Segall as interim Superintendent. A
22-year veteran of our public school system, Dr.
Segall will take over the duties of former
Superintendent Carol Lisa while the Board
conducts a search for her permanent replacement.
Dr. Segall has put his name forward as an
applicant for the Superintendent position.
The Englewood Report takes this opportunity to interview Dr. Segall and ask him about the state of our schools and his plan of action as interim Superintendent.
ER: Dr. Segall, what positions have you held in the Englewood School District over your 22 years?
RS: I've been the principal of every one of Englewood's schools, the interim director of special education, served as the main grant writer, and lead the creation of the AVID program. Most recently, I was the assistant superintendent for school operations.
ER: What is the state of our school district?
RS: The district has come very far in the last 5 years. We have made major strides in fostering unity on our high school campus while raising academic quality. Students are interacting more and sharing more classes together. The honors program serves all Dwight Morrow and Academies students who meet eligibility standards. We have one set of teams and higher academic standards for participation in all teams. So, we are working hard for continued improvement in both perception and reality of unity and excellence on campus. This year there are six small learning communities at the high school that offer specialized programs that will rival those in the Academies.
The middle school has made substantial progress in meeting NCLB standards for all students and creating a learning environment that works. It is real pleasure to walk though that school and see learning taking place with very interested students.
At the elementary schools we have one of the top rated Reading First Programs in the state that builds on the wonderful work begun in the Pre-Kindergarten Program.
ER: As Superintendent, what is your "wish list"?
RS: First, I would like to see the district make the same strides it has in Reading and Writing in the area of Mathematics. Math skills are critically important for competitive colleges and high paying jobs.
Second, I would like to see students actively engaged in learning in every classroom and every grade. Passive learners are not prepared for college or the workplace. Engaged learning means more student projects, student conversation, student writing, and student presentations. It requires teachers to work differently. They need to stop "delivering" information to the students and teach the students how to acquire it. When this happens the students will remember it longer and be able to use it in new situations. Best of all, engaged students develop a passion for learning.
ER: What are the problems you face?
RS: State funding is a major concern, and not just the new State Aid formula. The district's renewal has been funded in many ways and we need these to continue. Another issue is the ending of the management relationship with Bergen Tech. We have learned a lot from them, especially their optimistic approach to school improvement and expectation for reasonable funding. We believe we are ready for the change.
The major issue, however, is the challenge of making high academic success a reality for all children. The district now has high quality programs Pre-K through 12 for student ready to participate in them. We have the AVID program grades 6-12 to help the next level of students to aspire to and succeed in honors and AP classes. Our special education program has increased the academic rigor expected of the students and they are rising to the challenge. We cannot be satisfied until the improvements appear across the board and in every program.
ER: What would you like the citizens and students of Englewood to know about their schools?
RS: Excellence should be available to every child. It is the job of each student, the schools and the community to make it a reality. Minimum skills are not good enough.
ER: Thank you, Dr. Segall. We plan to come back to you in June to see how things are going.
The Englewood Report takes this opportunity to interview Dr. Segall and ask him about the state of our schools and his plan of action as interim Superintendent.
ER: Dr. Segall, what positions have you held in the Englewood School District over your 22 years?
RS: I've been the principal of every one of Englewood's schools, the interim director of special education, served as the main grant writer, and lead the creation of the AVID program. Most recently, I was the assistant superintendent for school operations.
ER: What is the state of our school district?
RS: The district has come very far in the last 5 years. We have made major strides in fostering unity on our high school campus while raising academic quality. Students are interacting more and sharing more classes together. The honors program serves all Dwight Morrow and Academies students who meet eligibility standards. We have one set of teams and higher academic standards for participation in all teams. So, we are working hard for continued improvement in both perception and reality of unity and excellence on campus. This year there are six small learning communities at the high school that offer specialized programs that will rival those in the Academies.
The middle school has made substantial progress in meeting NCLB standards for all students and creating a learning environment that works. It is real pleasure to walk though that school and see learning taking place with very interested students.
At the elementary schools we have one of the top rated Reading First Programs in the state that builds on the wonderful work begun in the Pre-Kindergarten Program.
ER: As Superintendent, what is your "wish list"?
RS: First, I would like to see the district make the same strides it has in Reading and Writing in the area of Mathematics. Math skills are critically important for competitive colleges and high paying jobs.
Second, I would like to see students actively engaged in learning in every classroom and every grade. Passive learners are not prepared for college or the workplace. Engaged learning means more student projects, student conversation, student writing, and student presentations. It requires teachers to work differently. They need to stop "delivering" information to the students and teach the students how to acquire it. When this happens the students will remember it longer and be able to use it in new situations. Best of all, engaged students develop a passion for learning.
ER: What are the problems you face?
RS: State funding is a major concern, and not just the new State Aid formula. The district's renewal has been funded in many ways and we need these to continue. Another issue is the ending of the management relationship with Bergen Tech. We have learned a lot from them, especially their optimistic approach to school improvement and expectation for reasonable funding. We believe we are ready for the change.
The major issue, however, is the challenge of making high academic success a reality for all children. The district now has high quality programs Pre-K through 12 for student ready to participate in them. We have the AVID program grades 6-12 to help the next level of students to aspire to and succeed in honors and AP classes. Our special education program has increased the academic rigor expected of the students and they are rising to the challenge. We cannot be satisfied until the improvements appear across the board and in every program.
ER: What would you like the citizens and students of Englewood to know about their schools?
RS: Excellence should be available to every child. It is the job of each student, the schools and the community to make it a reality. Minimum skills are not good enough.
ER: Thank you, Dr. Segall. We plan to come back to you in June to see how things are going.
