Superintendents wrap up first years

Two Valley Stream school superintendents recently completed their first years on the job. Dr. Bill Heidenreich of the Central High School District and Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund of District 13 each faced their share of obstacles during the 2011-12 school year, most notably New York state’s tax levy limit that was implemented earlier this year, but as they each look back on their first year, most memories are positive.

Heidenreich served as the district’s assistant superintendent for personnel and administration for the seven years prior to taking over his current role. He said that position prepared him to become superintendent, but he still did a bit of learning on the job.

“As a superintendent you make so many decisions and the decisions that you make have the potential to impact so many people,” he said, adding that when he makes a decision or a recommendation to the Board of Education, he is very reflective and thoughtful. “It’s not something that I take very lightly because I understand a decision or recommendation made today may have ramifications not just tomorrow, but years down the road.”

Robb-Fund was hired in District 13 after working for six years in the Commack School District as assistant superintendent for elementary education, which she said enabled her to understand the role and responsibility she would have as superintendent.

One of the first goals she set for herself after starting her new job on July 1, 2011, was to meet 100 families in 100 days. The reason behind the goal, she said, was to gain a better understanding of the district.

“What impressed me most about the district is despite the fact that it represents five different towns — Valley Stream, Elmont, Malverne, North Valley Stream and Franklin Square — everyone comes together for the sake of the children,” she said.

Both Robb-Fund and Heidenreich said their respective boards of education were very helpful and professional during their first years. Heidenreich said that Jeanne Greco Jacobs, who was the president of the high school board last year and is a member of District 13’s board, was very instrumental in his success during the 2011-12 school year.Heidenreich said the two would often talk on the phone to review certain items and plan upcoming board meeting agendas.

Heidenreich said he has a good relationship with the nine board members, but that relationship has changed over the last 12 months since he became superintendent. “Having been an insider for seven years I thought I understood the dynamic of the board,” he said. “It’s a little bit different though when you’re sitting in the superintendent’s seat because the relationship is definitely closer.”

The school board and administration in District 13 were thrown a couple of curveballs this year while the 2012-13 budget was being planned. First, the state implemented a new property tax cap, which limits the amount that districts can raise revenue through property taxes, and then a bus proposition was put on the ballot that required the budget to garner a 60 percent supermajority to pass, because it pushed the budget over the tax levy limit. The budget wound up passing with 62 percent of the vote, while the bus proposition, which would have provided transportation to all students living at least a half-mile from their school, was defeated by a 2-to-1 margin.

“To me, that vote said we believe in public education,” Robb-Fund said of the budget. She cited the hard work of the staff, faculty and PTA members as a reason the budget passed. She added that a major part of the process was explaining the budget and tax levy limit law to the public. “It was a community effort and people clearly understood it, so we were really pleased.”

The Central High School District’s budget passed by more than 700 votes, as the board chose to stay under the tax levy limit, just as Heidenreich recommended. He cited the board’s professional relationship with one another as a reason why a responsible budget was put on the ballot.

“While there were times when there may have been disagreements about issues,” he said, “it was never personal and to everyone’s credit, once that issue is decided we move on.”

Robb-Fund and Heidenreich are now looking ahead to their respective second years as superintendents and many more years down the road. “Everyone is here because they believe in public education and they want to do what’s best for the kids,” Robb-Fund said.