By:Doug Miller
Friedman will become superintendent of schools in Great Neck next month.
"I plan to be a visible member of the community," said Greenberg. "I encourage the public to not be shy about meeting me and sharing your thoughts."
Greenberg was sworn in July 1, although his term does not officially begin until July 15. Until then, he said, he is "tying up loose ends" in his current position as deputy superintendent in Plainview. He signed a three-year contract with Long Beach.
Between loose ends, Greenberg said, he has met with three of the five Board of Education trustees and several building principals. "And Ron's made himself very available," he added.
"Ron [Friedman] gave us the uniformity and continuity that will allow us to think in more academic terms in the future. He stabilized the district," said Pat Gallagher, who was elected board president July 1. "What we really liked about Greenberg is his enthusiasm for raising the bar academically. During the search process, we asked each of the candidates to submit a visionary academic plan for the district, and Dr. Greenberg's really sought to improve the challenges we can offer to our most gifted students."
"I can promise you this: We will stress high expectations, counseling kids and parents to take more challenging courses," said Greenberg. "Our kids are going to compete with the kids graduating from Plainview, Oceanside, Franklin Square and Rockville Centre for spots in the best universities."
Several issues confront Greenberg as he takes over. The first, and most glaring, will be the teachers' contract, or lack thereof. It expired June 30.
"I have not had a chance to meet with Frank Volpe," Greenberg said, referring to the union's negotiator. "But I'm aware of how tight the last budget vote was, and I'm going to work very hard getting our message out, for ours is the only tax the public can vote against."
Then there's special education, which has been a tripwire for Long Beach. The district was criticized for over-enrolling minority students in special-ed classes while failing to hire enough minority teachers. "This situation is not unique to Long Beach," Greenberg said. "Nationally there is an over-representation of minorities in special education, and staffing that does not mirror the community. But in Plainview we were cited each year for having too many white kids in special education.
"The key is to support the kids when they're young, pre-referral."
