by Chris Munzing
His decision to retire as Long Beach City School District superintendent at the end of the current school year is based on the value of his pension and the fact that any additional time spent on the job would cause that pension to drop. After shocking the school community with his announcement at the Nov. 18 school board meeting, however, it was obvious that Friedman is still dedicated to making Long Beach the best district it can be.
"I love this district," he said. "There's a strong desire to never leave, but it's a largely economic decision."
Friedman said that he had started to look into retirement as long ago as last year, but put it out of his mind until last summer. He started to take it seriously in September, and informed the school board of his decision days before the recent meeting.
"This is such a great place," he said days after the announcement. "The people are the warmest, most caring people you'd want to meet in the United States of America." Friedman spoke about the friendliness and dedication of everyone in the district. He mentioned teachers who put in extra time whenever asked, and administrators whose every decision was based on what it would mean for students. "It's just such a positive place to do good for the kids," he said.
School board President Steve Weitz learned of Friedman's decision when the two were working with the district's law firm on how to remedy the tax problem plaguing the community.
"My first reaction was to try and change his mind, of course," Weitz said. When it became clear that Friedman's mind would not be changed, Weitz told him that it had been his privilege to have worked so closely with the superintendent over the past five years.
"He's a person who's totally committed to the people of Long Beach," said Weitz. "Especially the children." In addition to Friedman's commitment to educating the young people of the community, Weitz praised him for his accessibility. "He's the type of superintendent who's always been available," he said. "Anybody in the community could call up Dr. Friedman. There was no red tape."
"We made a lot of progress under Dr. Friedman," said first-year board member Frank Alvarado. "It's very sad, but it's good for him."
Alvarado praised Friedman's ability to find the right people for the job. "He put the right pieces in the right places," Alvarado said. "He's great at finding talent, and being able to motivate people."
Board member Roy Lester said that Friedman was very good at getting the board, the district and the schools all working on the same page. "He had the ability work very well with the board, to get the board working together," he said. "He brought a vision to the schools that involved striving for excellence."
LBHS principal Nick Restivo expressed some regret at only getting to work with Friedman for two years. But Restivo believes that these two years in Friedman's district have done more for him then he could have hoped for. "I have learned so much from him in that span," he said.
Restivo was particularly impressed with Friedman's hands-on approach with the schools, students and teachers. "What he brings to this district is a large amount of humanism," said Restivo. "There are no blanket decisions made. Each kid is an individual. He's very genuine in his concern for the kids, it's not an act. He's going to be a tough act to follow."
After working for 37 years, Friedman decided that it was time to call it a day. However, he's leaving the window open for other opportunities should they present themselves. He said that an interim superintendent or assistant superintendent position wouldn't be out of the question, and also said that teaching at the college level or working as a labor mediator are two positions he would take a serious look at.
The search for a new superintendent will begin right away, with the district working cooperatively with Scope, a consulting firm that was instrumental in bringing Friedman back to the district five years ago. Friedman had previously worked in the district during the 1980s.
Alvarado said that even though the district is losing a great leader, a new great leader is right around the corner. All the district has to do is find him. "I can't stress the importance of having the input from teachers, student groups, parents and community organizations," he said.
Friedman said that he will be at the forefront of the search for a new district head. "I have a vested interest in the person coming in [being] the best," he said. "We don't deserve any less."
The search will be for someone who has had experience with a school board, preferably someone with a doctorate who has served as a superintendent or as an assistant superintendent before. "You want somebody who has worked with a school board and knows how to deal with the public," he said.
"You look for the best of what have, and you look for improvements," said Lester. "He's hard to improve, but we look for that."
Though Friedman is doing everything to make sure that the school district is in good hands upon his departure, it is obvious that given different circumstances, he wouldn't be going anywhere. "I'm going to miss it like hell, I'll tell you that much," he said.
