Public shares vision for next superintendent

District 30 parents want a superintendent who will be invested in the education of their children, one of many points raised at a community forum on June 14 at the Shaw Avenue School.

More than 40 parents attended the evening meeting, which gave them a chance to talk about the characteristics they want in their superintendent. The current superintendent, Dr. Elaine Kanas, is leaving at the end of July to head the East Williston School District.

Communication was also a key element cited by parents. They want someone who will encourage and embrace parent involvement in the schools, and listen to parents and use that input to guide his or her decisions.

District 30 has a strong academic program, parents noted, and they want that to be maintained. Any new leader should come in and first see what the district is all about, before making any changes. Parents also cautioned against bringing in a superintendent who will make changes simply for the purpose of making changes.

Additionally, parents said they do not want a superintendent who will simply be using the position as a stepping stone to get a job in a larger school district. Some said they want a leader who is from the area, maybe not from Valley Stream but at least Long Island.

Parents touted the diversity of District 30 and said they want a superintendent who will value and respect that. Additionally, they said they want the next leader to focus on creating a more diverse teaching staff. “I think that the staff should represent the student body,” parent Diane Pearsall said.

Additionally, they said they want someone with experience as a teacher, and would prefer the next superintendent to either have their doctorate, or be in the process of earning it. Several members of the public spoke up in favor of promoting an administrator already working in the school district.

The next superintendent should look to add more academic clubs in the schools, strive to reduce class sizes and maintain the strong early intervention programs already in place, parents said.

Marianne Estevez, president of the Shaw Avenue School PTA, said she was pleased with the thoughtful and insightful suggestions from her fellow parents. “We got a lot of good input,” she said. “I’m excited to see our new superintendent.”

The Board of Education, which was not present at the meeting, is accepting applications through Monday. The feedback from the public will help the board select its top candidates.

Last Thursday night’s meeting was hosted by Envision Valley Stream President David Sabatino, who will then share the comments from parents with the board. There was also a forum at Forest Road School the following night hosted by the Rev. Kym Jones of the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church.

Pearsall, who has a child at Forest Road School, said she was happy that the community was being included in the process. “I think as parents we should have a say and we should take an active role,” she said, adding that choosing a superintendent is one of the most important decisions a school district makes. “Without the right person leading the team, it could affect the childrens’ education.”

Barbara Becnel, who has a granddaughter at Shaw Avenue School, said members of the District 30 community value education and are invested in the school system. That was why she came out to the forum.

For Becnel, she said she wants the next superintendent to stay for a while. “We’ve had a lot of change in District 30,” she said. “We need stabilization. We need someone who we trust, who knows us.”

PTA Vice President Janice Francis described last Thursday night’s forum as a “forward thinking meeting,” noting that the suggestions from parents centered around making progress in the district.

Several parents will also be included on advisory committee to interview the Board of Education’s top candidates and make a recommendation as to who should be the next superintendent. Board members hope to name Kanas’s successor as a special meeting on July 26, and have the person begin before the start of the 2012-13 school year.