By Adam Kramer
The long and arduous journey for the residents of School District 29, who have demanded a permanent leader to run the district for the past few years, is finally over.
Schools Chancellor Joe Klein last Thursday appointed Michael Johnson to lead the district and its 28,000 students.
Johnson, who was appointed district administrator by former Schools Chancellor Harold Levy, was named the school district’s superintendent. He replaces Celestine Miller, who was removed from the position three years ago.
“By choosing Johnson, the chancellor concurred with the decision of the Board, C-37 (search) committee and the community,” said Nathaniel Washington, president of School Board 29.
“We had a meeting with PTA presidents last week and told them the news,” he said. “They were ecstatic and the community is ecstatic. We can now put this behind us and concentrate on the good things the district does.”
Washington said Klein called him before releasing the news that Johnson was picked to lead the district. The SB 29 president said he appreciated the speed in which Klein rectified the situation that has bedeviled the district for the last few years.
Johnson could not be reached for comment.
School District 29 stretches from Queens Village to Fresh Meadows and from Hollis to Rosedale and includes Cambria Heights, Rosedale, Laurelton, parts of Bellerose, Springfield Gardens and parts of Jamaica.
Klein said that after reviewing Johnson’s scholastic record during his time as District 29 administrator he decided to appoint him. He said he reviewed the credentials of the other candidate before making his decision.
“Michael Johnson has served as the administrator since February 2000 and during this time, District 29 has seen a 5 percent decrease of students scoring at Level 1 in math,” Klein said.
Level 1 and 2 students have not met standardized exam’s academic standard, while Level 3 students have passed and Level 4 students have excelled on a test.
“Level 1 scores in reading have also decreased, while the district continues to welcome an increasing number of English learners. I am certain that Michael Johnson will continue his diligent efforts to ensure the best education possible to the 28,000 children in the culturally diverse district.”
Only a week after Washington sent Klein a letter explaining the situation, the chancellor called him to tell him that Johnson was the district’s new leader.
Johnson will officially be made the superintendent at SB 29 next public meeting. Washington said he hopes to schedule one for Monday, Sept. 9.
“Right now we want to concentrate on the educational issues that affect the community,” Washington said. “We want to have continuity throughout the system.”
He said there will be a uniform policy for all students. Each class will use the same textbooks and follow the same curriculum, Washington said. The educational leaders of the district will now be able to monitor both teacher and student, he said, and compare them with their peers from around the district.
The school district had been in flux since Miller was fired in February 1999 by then-Chancellor Rudy Crew for not immediately reporting that an 8-year-old boy had brought a loaded gun to a Rosedale school. She was indicted in November 2000 on bid-rigging charges involving computer sales to schools under her control.
After Miller left, District 29 had an acting interim superintendent, but Levy suspended the school board, which was reinstated after Johnson arrived on the scene in early 2000.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
