Scarsdale School Superintendent Dr. Michael McGill to Step Down in 2014

An unconfirmed rumor that disgruntled residents had requested the resignation of Scarsdale School Superintendent Dr. McGill elicited a groundswell of support for the superintendent and the schools at the 6/11 meeting of the Scarsdale Board of Education. In addition to their concern for McGill, proponents of the schools feared the possible effects of an untimely attack on the superintendent who has served the district with distinction for 15 years. With the second school budget vote just days away, the attack on the superintendent appeared timed to undermine public confidence in the schools.

As a result, the Board of Education room was filled to capacity with former members of the Board, scores of administrators and teachers, the current and former leadership of the PTA and around 100 residents who turned out to back Dr. McGill. Attendees spilled out into the hallway where the overflow crowd watched the proceedings on an extra television monitor that was installed outside the meeting room. When McGill entered the room he was greeted with a thunderous applause and a lengthy standing ovation from the audience and the Board as well.

When McGill spoke, he preempted his detractors by opening the meeting with a statement. He offered his reaction to "the organized effort to displace (him) from his position" which he said was "a quid pro quo for a yes vote on the budget next week."
He responded to critics who said that he "forced school board members to do (his) will" saying "that insults the school board members who have served over so many years." To charges that he is "arrogant" and "short-tempered," he replied, "I am not going to defend my record but do want to discuss my contract."

He then explained that he had accepted a one-year extension on his current contract through June 2014 to help with the collective bargaining of the teacher's contract and to prevent the Board from the need to undertake the search for a new superintendent at the same time they were negotiating the contract.

However, he said, "Early last week I decided to leave when my contract expires. I have worked as a superintendent since I was 28 and the work should be interesting and fun... I have had a great run... This is not how I wanted to announce my decision. I am afraid that it will embolden my opponents. I hope to shift the focus of discussion to where it should be."

He continued, "Some people think the budget defeat was a mandate for fundamental change ... however, Scarsdale is not given to radical change. The first budget was an overreach. [The defeat] does not mean that programs and services should be changed. If we listen we will learn what the public really does want. We are now in danger of verging into a very dangerous dynamic that would undermine what is best. I don't believe that is what Scarsdale residents want."

With that, the budget hearing was opened and many took the microphone to support the school budget and encourage a "Yes" vote on June 18. Among the supporters were advocates for the first budget including the PT Council, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale, the Scarsdale Middle School PTA and the Coalition for Scarsdale Schools. In addition, several people who voted "No" the first time out stated their support for the second proposed budget. Those who had changed their views included Susan Grosz, Jim Labick, Marian Green and Bob Berg who was among the leaders of the campaign to defeat the budget in May.

Former PTA leaders Melanie Spivak, Debbie Rappaport and Leslie Berkovitz encouraged parents to "get educated" on state mandates and said that $800,000 of the school budget was spent on state testing. Spivak told the group to "vote yes on the budget and use that no vote in Albany."

What brought tears to many in the room were the tributes to Dr. McGill made by representatives from a wide array of community groups. Former Board members, some of whom had not attended a Board meeting in years, all showed up to demonstrate their support. Trudy Moses spoke for the teacher's union, Scott Houseknecht for the principals and individuals stood to offer him their gratitude and praise.

Moses expressed the sentiments of the faculty saying, "The Scarsdale Teachers' Association wants the community to know that we have the utmost respect for Dr. McGill. He has shaped Scarsdale for the past 15 years and the Scarsdale education for tomorrow. That he would be under malicious attack is outrageous to us. We do not understand the mission of this group. We are dismayed by the bullying tone that has taken over the community. Every day we teach your children to reject bullying. We want you to know that Dr. McGill and his team have our support, respect and deep appreciation."

Scott Houseknecht, Principal of the Edgewood School, spoke for the district's principals and said, "We want to voice our strong support for Mike McGill. He has brought us international recognition. He has been bold in his leadership and brought vision in innovative ways. He has a high standard of professional integrity, is an exemplar of professionalism, and a reflective educator. We are unwavering in our support."

Art Rublin quoted from a speech that Dr. McGill delivered when he was chosen to be the NYS Superintendent of the Year in 2006 . Speaking of the role of educators McGill said, "We here are the custodians of civilization: leaders of an institution that ekes out what wisdom it can gather, builds upon it, passes it from one generation to the next. We are safekeepers of the democracy, guardians of the future."

Former Board of Education President Terri Simon said, "During my time on the Board we had occasion to do a thorough review of Dr. McGill's performance and year after year we ran out of superlatives." She added, "I do hope that a piece of his legacy is that you can disagree without being disrespectful. That we can converse civilly ... I am dismayed at the disrespectful tone."

Another former Board President, Jeff Blatt, offered the highest praise for Dr. McGill. "Mike McGill is a nationally renown educator, a visionary, and a man of great personal integrity. He has served this district with distinction and honor for 15 years. Thank you on behalf of my family for all you have done."

Barbara Guss Kemp, another past president of the Board of Ed, said that after her term ended, "I vowed I would never come to another Board meeting. I am here to show support for Dr. McGill. You are a gift to this district." Quoting Joni Mitchell, she said, "You don't know what you got till it's gone. Dr. McGill will leave an imprint on this district that will never be the same."

Rachel Moseley, an employee and member of the district's technology team said,
"I have the highest respect for our teachers and administrators and especially for Mike McGill. He is a visionary and a pragmatist who has dedicated the past 15 years of his life to the schools."

Florie Wachtenheim, who served as Board President from 2006-7 and also won the Scarsdale Bowl, said, "We are lucky to have a man of his vision and integrity to run the school system. Mike was recognized as the premier curriculum leader in the country. He offered strong leadership to the district. Your legacy is to help us do something that is beyond ourselves for the greater good. I cherish you and respect you."

McGill joked that he felt like he was at his own funeral but then answered the praise. He said, "I have high respect for the parents and the students of this community. It is not always easy in this job. This is a political position. You can't take the criticisms personally. The last 15 years have been a growth experience and an opportunity to become a better educator and a better person because of all of you! Thank you for your kind comments – of which I probably deserve about 20%."

It was a moving meeting for all in the room. What portended to be a contentious night evolved into an evening to honor McGill and his accomplishments and service to Scarsdale. Whoever planned to call for his resignation slipped out of the room unnoticed in the sea of love for the long-time school district leader.