By Mike Schnitzel
After seeing a generation of children file through his schools, McGoldrick, 58, announced that he would step down as superintendent effective Aug. 17. His long-time secretary, and district clerk, Madeline Furst, also decided to retire after 16 years of service.
McGoldrick sat down with the Herald on Monday to go over the good times and the bad, his feelings on leaving the district he has served for so long and what he plans to do with his new-found free time. The following is a transcript of that conversation.
Q: What made you get involved in education in the first place?
A: Many years ago when I was a teenager, I was a counselor at a camp. There was a set of twin boys who had hearing loss and I worked with them and taught them how to swim. I really liked it. After that I went to New Paltz and joint-majored in elementary education and speech. After some grad work at the University of Buffalo, I got a job teaching at the Attica Central Schools, in upstate New York, teaching disabled children. That's how it all started.
Q: How did you get to Valley Stream from there?
A: I applied for a teaching principalship and then I saw a full-time position for an elementary principal and assistant high school principal in Taconic. Then I was the director of general and occupational education for the Rensslaer, Columbia and Greene County BOCES. From there, I went to Sayville, out in Suffolk, where I was the superintendent for four years. After that I came here.
Q: What is your favorite part of this job?
A: Working with and for the kids. Seeing programs put into place that help them, seeing them enjoy success in any area.
Q: What is the hardest part of the job?
A: In recent years, with the countywide reassessment, it's more and more difficult trying to pass a budget. Revenues are not keeping up with expenditures. The county and the residents are getting to a place where taxes are becoming a real hardship.
Q: What are some of your proudest achievements in your time with the district?
A: The two bond issues we passed. The one at Clear Stream (in 1998) and the larger one (for Forest Road, Shaw Avenue and Washington Avenue in 2002). Having the buildings done to accommodate all the children, the Washington Avenue School becoming a kindergarten center. What you're most proud of is the kids you see achieving. That's the most rewarding thing, when you see them succeed. When I see kids who were in kindergarten when I started taking honors courses and doing well, it's a great thing.
Q: What were some of the toughest decisions you had to make?
A: Making decisions regarding the oil spill at Clear Stream Avenue (in 1999). We had to work to find out if we could open the building and make sure it was safe for everyone. It was one of those things where you learn something you never knew anything about. There was about four or five weeks where we didn't know if we were going to be able to use the school. Lightning also hit the chimney and dissolved it at the school that same year. It was a tough year.
Q: What prompted you to decide it was time to leave?
A: Retirement is a very personal decision. I'd been thinking about it and it was really a decision based on family. The family's sort of spread out and I just want to spend more time [with them].
Q: What are you plans after you step down?
A: [Family] is the major focus. Maybe I'll do a little teaching, teach a course on teacher prep at a university.
Q: What are you going to miss the most after you leave?
A: The people. Absolutely. The first time I did the superintendent's welcome I looked in the crowd and I hadn't hired one person there. At the last superintendent's welcome, when I looked in the crowd, I would say I hired at least 90 percent of the people there. You get to know people professionally and personally. You learn about their family and their kids and you establish strong connections. That separation is what will be the hardest.
Q: Has it sunk in yet that you are leaving a job you have held for so long?
A: Yes and no. There'll be times I catch myself when I'm talking about next year's budget and I realize that this is my last budget, the new superintendent will have to worry about that. You just naturally look toward next year after you've been here so long. It's going to be a new chapter for me.
Q: Is there anything you would go back and change if you could do it all over again, and what would it be?
A: No. When you look back at a career, you say what are the final outcomes? All decisions that a person make contribute to that. Looking back over 37 years, I think it's been a good career and I did well for the kids. I have no regrets because I'm looking at the sum total, and I'd do it all over again.
Comments about this story? Mschnitzel@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
