by Jennifer Marino
In the past few years, Rockville Centre-s superintendent of schools Dr. William Johnson has fostered change on the state level, especially by spearheading the fight to fairly score the physics Regents exam in 2002 and again with the math A Regents in 2003.
Johnson was named 2005 New York State Superintendent of the Year on Nov. 15 by the American Association of School Administrators. The Rockville Centre Board of Education nominated him for the award and now Johnson is in the running to be named National Superintendent of the Year.
The awards were established in 1988 to recognize outstanding individuals in educational leadership. Four finalists for the national award will be selected from the winners from the 50 states in December.
Board president Marcia Hirsch suggested that Johnson be nominated this year. It was so obvious that he was deserving, said Board member Meg Koch.
The applications were reviewed against the following criteria: leadership for learning with creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students; strength in both personal and organizational communication; professionalism exhibited in constant improvement through professional development and motivation to others on his team; and active participation in community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues. The applications were reviewed by a special panel that includes members of the state associations of school administrators, school boards and PTAs.
In addition to fighting for fairness in the Regents exams, Johnson has served as president of the Nassau County and the New York State Council of School Superintendents. In 1988 he worked on the New York State Salerno Commission. He was appointed to the Educational Reform Commission by Governor George Pataki. The commission presented a report on school finance in New York State in 2004. Since 1989 he has chaired the State Aid Data Analysis group, which wants to change how state aid is distributed. He also continues to work as an adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he earned his doctorate in special education.
Last March, Johnson was honored at the Rockville Centre Education Foundation Gala. [He has] one of the toughest jobs in this village, said Karen Lipton at the time, as she presented his award. She even joked that he is one of only five people in New York who understand the state aid formula.
Johnson first came to Rockville Centre in the 1970s from Fairfield, Conn. He started as a consultant on special education. He spent most of his childhood in East Rockaway and now lives in Rockville Centre. Johnson didn-t always dream of being an educator. As a child he had many career aspirations including, accountant, architect and priest. He has been married to his wife, Maryann, for 37 years and has two sons.
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