Superintendent Controversy Finally Resolved
November 02, 2009 Filed in: Schools
Now that the Englewood Board of Education has, after
20 months of wrangling and dissension, finally given
Acting Schools Superintendent Richard Segall a
three-year contract as Superintendent, we hope the
Board will be able to better focus on its primary
function, which is oversight of the Englewood Public
School system. We also hope that personal antagonisms
which have too often been displayed in public
meetings can be minimized. As we said last April,
such dissension "can only be demoralizing to the
staff, parents and students." In any democratic body
there are differences of opinion, which should be
expressed forcibly if necessary. But the practice of
democracy also includes the acceptance by those who
are outvoted of the decisions which have been
reached.
Despite progress which has been evident in many regards, turning around a school system which a decade ago could well have been described as "troubled," is a long-term project. It requires clearly defined goals, ways of measuring progress toward those goals, and continuity of purpose. As we also pointed out in April, our schools have "seen excessively frequent administrative turnover," which is not conducive to such continuity. The selection of Segall, who is an administrator with considerable length and variety of service in our community, should be positive in this regard.
Segall, in an interview with us after his appointment as interim Superintendent, discussed his objectives for the district. One which makes sense to us is requiring teachers to instruct students more about the ways in which knowledge can be gained, as opposed to simply teaching the knowledge itself. Another is striving to match the gains which have been made in Reading and Writing in the area of Mathematics.
As is the case every year, three members of the Board may be seeking reelection at the end of their three-year terms next April. We would suggest that if those members whose terms expire in 2010 cannot adjust to the decision which has been made, and work cooperatively with their fellow Board members and the Superintendent, they should not count on electoral support which may have been available to them in the past.
Despite progress which has been evident in many regards, turning around a school system which a decade ago could well have been described as "troubled," is a long-term project. It requires clearly defined goals, ways of measuring progress toward those goals, and continuity of purpose. As we also pointed out in April, our schools have "seen excessively frequent administrative turnover," which is not conducive to such continuity. The selection of Segall, who is an administrator with considerable length and variety of service in our community, should be positive in this regard.
Segall, in an interview with us after his appointment as interim Superintendent, discussed his objectives for the district. One which makes sense to us is requiring teachers to instruct students more about the ways in which knowledge can be gained, as opposed to simply teaching the knowledge itself. Another is striving to match the gains which have been made in Reading and Writing in the area of Mathematics.
As is the case every year, three members of the Board may be seeking reelection at the end of their three-year terms next April. We would suggest that if those members whose terms expire in 2010 cannot adjust to the decision which has been made, and work cooperatively with their fellow Board members and the Superintendent, they should not count on electoral support which may have been available to them in the past.
