Saying goodbye to Mr. Hogan

A Q&A with W.H.’s outgoing district superintendent

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After nine years as superintendent of the West Hempstead school district, John Hogan will call an end to a 38-year career in education and retire. Hogan spoke with the Herald last week about his career, his life’s work, and what he will miss most about the West Hempstead school district.

How long have you been superintendent in West Hempstead?
I’ve been superintendent of the district for nine years. Before that I came from the Elwood school district, where I was 11 years, as an assistant principal and assistant superintendent. Prior to that, I was in the Catholic school system in the Brooklyn diocese for 18 years as a teacher and administrator.

Why are you leaving? Are you really retiring?
I’m really retiring, and I expect I’ll be involved in religious education for the diocese of Rockville Centre at Holy Spirit in New Hyde Park.

What was a highlight of being a superintendent at WH?

The highlight is always the same — the kids. It’s putting the programs into place and engaging the kids whenever possible. That’s always the highlight, whether you’re talking about elementary, middle school or high school. I think that being able to maintain and institute reading initiatives such as the Wilson program, to be able to maintain the advanced placement courses at the high school, being involved in the community work that the boys and girls are involved in — particularly after Hurricane Sandy — those are all highlights.

What are some of the most important issues the district needs to address in the future?

I think the district will continue to face budget challenges because of the way the state foundation formula works. We are seen by Albany as a wealthy school district because of the way they did the formula, and that’s not the case. That’s something we’re going to have to continue to look at. The revenue side of the budget is a challenge and proving more difficult. On the educational front, certainly we have more non English-speaking boys and girls who are coming here and we have to make sure we address their needs.

What will you miss most about West Hempstead?
I’ll just miss the community, the residents the town the students. They’ve always been so supportive. The administrators and the teachers — I couldn’t have asked to work with more professional colleagues. I’ve had the good fortune of working with a very supportive and interested board of education. About six years ago, I had a heart attack and was out for about five weeks. The outpouring of support and care that came from the school district is something I will always remember. West Hempstead is a special place, it really is.

If you could change anything about the educational system, what would you choose?
If I had one wish, it would be that the state would really look at the foundation formula for all the school districts and the money we need to maintain our programs — in particular give us enough support to deal with the unfunded mandates we’re required to do that they don’t fund.

Having the knowledge of the school district that you have now, what would you have told yourself when nine years ago when you started in West Hempstead?

I would’ve told myself to be ready for challenges, but know that there are going to be many, many good days and that you’re going to be doing good work in West Hempstead.