School leaders react to Johnson

Gratitude, surprise and confusion were the immediate emotions felt by school leaders after learning that Rockville Centre Superintendent Dr. William Johnson will resign after the 2017-18 school year.

On Dec. 13, Johnson told the Herald that he submitted his letter of resignation in October, and the Board of Education accepted it. Board President Mark Masin said Johnson’s contract was set to expire after the 2016-17 school year, but was recently given a one-year extension so that the board could have ample time to create a search committee and find Johnson’s successor. Masin said that process would begin sometime during the first half of 2017.

Johnson has worked for the district since 1979 and was named superintendent in the late 1980s.

Why Johnson is stepping down remains a mystery. According to a knowledgeable source close to this story, two letters were sent to the Board of Education — one from the teachers’ union and one from the administrators’ union. The letters’ contents have not been made public.

“Everyone is kind of shocked by the whole thing,” said William S. Covert Elementary School Principal Darren Raymar, who is also the vice president of the administrators’ union. “We’re not really sure what’s going on. It’s a little confusing.”

When pressed about the teachers’ letter during the Dec. 7 school board meeting, Masin said that it dealt with a “personal matter,” and so it was “not for public viewing.” He added that the board would not discuss “contractual negotiations that have or have not taken place regarding this matter.”

Principals Joan Waldman of Floyd B. Watson School and Shelagh McGinn of South Side Middle School are co-presidents of the administrators’ union. Waldman and Raymar would only say that their letter was written in support of Johnson.

“Dr. Johnson has served not only as a leader in Rockville Centre but for all educators in New York state as well,” said Waldman. “He has guided the Rockville Centre School District to a preeminent rank in education. He will be greatly missed. He has provided a solid foundation for the future, and his contributions will always be remembered and continue to make Rockville Centre a leader in educating children.”

Francis F. Wilson Elementary School Principal Thomas Ricupero worked with Johnson since 1979 and also was taken aback by the announcement.

“I was surprised,” he said. “Dr. Johnson is very dedicated to his career. He loves his work. He’s always looking to make things better for kids and adults.”

Ricupero speculated that Johnson may have thought that now was the time to step down.

“Who’s to say he’s not ready?” Ricupero asked. “There’s a lot of things going on and you want to get to the bottom of it. This is what he says he’s going to do and I’ll honor that.”

In recent years, Johnson has been a staunch advocate of challenging state curricula, which he has called unfair to students. In particular, he has been an outspoken critic of Common Core State Standards and the “high-stakes” tests that have caused excessive levels of anxiety among students, particularly elementary school students, and their parents.

Under Johnson’s watch, South Side High School became among the very first high schools to adopt the International Baccalaureate Program, a project-based educational curriculum whose primary objective is to develop “inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed,” according to the IBP’s website.

New York State Education Department Regent Roger Tilles, who said he works with Johnson roughly once a month to “go over issues” in education, was especially impressed with Johnson’s ability to give students a chance to succeed, no matter what level of learning they had.

“He’s one of the very few that took a district that had a large amount of tracking of high-needs students versus the regular general-ed students and made it into a district of high achievement at all levels by putting in the IB program, which he really crusaded for,” Tilles said.

Administrators also noted the support, friendship and appreciation Johnson has shown them during their time in the district.

“He has been an outstanding mentor and friend to me throughout my career,” Waldman said.

Ricupero said he believes that Johnson is not retiring for good and will continue to make a difference in whatever avenue he pursues.

“In my book, he’s highly effective,” he said. “That why I don’t think he’s done. I think he’ll move on to more global issues.