By: Laura Lane
Richard Segerdahl, of North Merrick, served as the Island Trees School District superintendent for two decades. He retired from the post last spring, leaving behind not only a legacy of change in the district, but also his name. To honor the former superintendent, Island Trees Middle School was recently renamed the Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School.
No one was more surprised than Segerdahl. "They kept it a secret," he said. "For me, it's a tremendous honor, and I'm appreciative that they recognized the efforts I put forward."
People noted the former superintendent's commitment to Island Trees. "You would think he lived in the district the way he cared about it," said Robert Condela, president of the Island Trees Board of Education. "He was like the CEO of a mid-sized corporation."
Island Trees children come from parts of Levittown, Bethpage and Seaford. The community isn't one of Long Island's wealthier areas, but in 1984, the district had the Island's highest property taxes. Segerdahl committed himself to ensuring that would change.
"I wanted to attempt to offer the best educational programs for students possible while being cognizant of living in a high-tax, low-wealth district," said Segerdahl. "We reorganized the district, closed an elementary school, moved our sixth grade up to middle school, and we saved millions of dollars."
To further reduce taxes, Segerdahl convinced administrators, teachers and staff to freeze their salaries in the 1998-1999 school year. Segerdahl took no pay increase himself.
Segerdahl's self-sacrifice surprised no one. "Richard is a great guy, direct and honest," said Bill Kealy, assistant principal of Island Trees High School. "He was always interested in the welfare of the children and put them first."
Segerdahl had many ways of showing his concern. During his years as superintendent, he was instrumental in starting an all-day kindergarten program and worked diligently to improve the district's academic expectations. He created many summer programs for students, including academics, music, drama, science, computers, technology and sports camps.
Segerdahl also launched Dollars for Scholars at Island Trees, a program in which students collect community donations to grant students in need college scholarships. In all, the district has awarded more than $300,000 to graduating seniors over the past 20 years.
Segerdahl started the Island Trees pre-school program in 1995. The program now attracts 200 children annually and gives teachers with young children a chance to see their kids during the work day. "It helped a lot of our staff members," Segerdahl said. "And it's self-sustaining, costing the people who participate only $900 a year. That's $9 a day, and there are certified teachers and an aide."
Segerdahl also said he made sure the district was frugal in its spending. "Richard watched every penny. We were very judicious in how we spent the district's money, and we still are," said Condela. "The district was very stable when Richard was superintendent. I'm not sure I would have stayed on [as a trustee] for 18 years without Richard Segerdahl."
Segerdahl is enjoying his retirement. The father of 27-year-old Lisa plans to visit more often with her and her daughter, 3-year-old Sarah, who live out of state. And Segerdahl and his wife, Kathy, bought a cottage in Massachusetts, which he is busy renovating.
But Segerdahl isn't leaving education entirely. He's not sure exactly how, but he'll get involved again eventually. "I don't plan to get back into education for a year," said Segerdahl.
