Readers Reflect on Hagerman's Departure

After Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Thomas Hagerman resigned abruptly at the January 24, 2022 meeting of the Board of Education, speculation was rife about his plans for the future. Had he accepted another position as a school superintendent or a job at a college or university or in the private sector? He offered no details.

The mystery was solved the next day with a press release from The Latin School in Chicago who announced that Dr. Hagerman had accepted the position of Head of School. The independent school includes a lower, middle and upper school and has 1,190 students enrolled this year.

The announcement from the Latin School says, “This decision is the result of a national search process initiated late last summer which included input from all of our community constituencies on both the position statement and feedback on candidates. Dr. Hagerman was unanimously recommended by the Head of School Search Committee to the Board of Trustees which unanimously approved his appointment.”

We have received many comments from readers in the past two days. Quite a few concerned the timing of his departure which may very well leave Scarsdale without adequate time to do a search and replace him by July. These searches often take many months and are often in sync with the academic year.

In fact, Dr. Hagerman’s contract required him to give the district 12 months notice. It said, 

Article VIII - Termination
(A) This AGREEMENT may be terminated by written agreement between the BOARD
OF EDUCATION and the SUPERINTENDENT, or by the resignation of the SUPERINTENDENT submitted in writing to the BOARD OF EDUCATION. The SUPERINTENDENT shall give the BOARD OF EDUCATION notice of resignation twelve (12) months prior to the effective date of resignation. The resignation date shall not fall within the academic school year.

Furthermore, readers were puzzled why Dr. Hagerman pushed through a contract extension in June 2021 if he was contemplating a departure.

Others took issue with the letter he wrote announcing his departure. It says, “When I came to Scarsdale eight years ago, the District was yearning for academic improvement, curricular consistency, clear communication, operational transparency, facilities and grounds improvements, financial stewardship, strategic planning, policy revision, and so much more.” A reader said, “He didn’t inherit a mess of a district! He inherited a crown jewel of public education in the country. It is a swipe at all that came before him. “

Another reader pointed out a slight to parents and community leaders who took issue with him. The letter says, “Finally, I would like to thank both our parent leadership groups and the Board of Education—both those currently in place and those that I have had the good fortune of working with throughout my tenure here in Scarsdale. With few exceptions, these individuals have understood their roles as school community leaders; stewards of our resources; defenders of excellence in public education; and avid supporters of students, staff, and the broader school community.”

The consensus is that the way he chose to leave was consistent with the way he chose to lead. He was a stickler for rules but made exceptions for himself. He was an advocate of “communication,” but it was often one-sided and left no room for opposing views.

His legacy includes many decisions that were made from the top down, often polarizing stakeholders and silencing objectors. Scarsdale will live with the ramifications of some of these decisions for years to come including an extended school day, an expensive school lunch program, limitations on parent engagement and presence in the schools and an elementary school renovation that could have been so much more.

One aspect of his reign is sure to change with his departure. Undoubtedly the Board of Education will look to restore transparency and trust, and allow for free speech without fear. So many community members had things to say, but hesitated to identify themselves, including those quoted above. Hopefully we will no longer hear people say, “Can I comment off the record? I am too scared to use my name.”