Roger Lulow Looks In Rear View Mirror at Greenwich [VIDEO]

Officially—today is Interim Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Roger Lulow's last day on the job.

After a few rounds of fetes during these past weeks by the Board of Education, PTA leaders and staff, Lulow exited the schools headquarters at the Havemeyer Building for the final time on Thursday.

And as he counted down the days to the end of his year-long contract, the erudite Lulow sat down with Greenwich Patch to discuss his tenure. "I had a lot of fun," Lulow said with a smile. He revealed that his wife Anne told him his return to Greenwich brought back "a spring in my step."

"Keep the place moving forward"

Lulow divulged that when he sat down with the then Board of Education a year ago, a number of things were discussed about the 2011-12 school year, but the directive he was given was basically "just keep the place moving forward." However, in hindsight Lulow reflects that those priorities at the time are obviously not shared by the current board, with half of the members newly elected in November. In addition, some of what "dominated" Lulow's year couldn't have been predicted.

The week before he returned to Greenwich last July from his native Ohio, contaminated soil was discovered as construction began for new classrooms and auditorium at Greenwich High School. The scope of the contamination has yet to be determined and a cleanup plan isn't expected until next fall.

Lulow, who rarely closed schools due to the weather when he was superintendent from 1998 to 2002, began the year exactly that way. A downgraded hurricane hit Greenwich and delayed the opening day across the district. Lulow says it was his first experience with a hurricane as superintendent. As a result of the delayed first day, Lulow says that he observed a lot of "anxiety" in the school community as to when school would end. (And in the end, with the exception of another freak storm in October) the winter cooperated with the remainder of the school year.

The Unexpected and Expected

Lulow, 72, characterized the year as "a different crisis every month" but does so with a twinkle in his eye as if to indicate that he would not have had it any other way.

Lulow, an experienced administrator, said that going into the job he "knew what he had to do to make sure that schools opened every day."  It was the "unusual things" that he didn't bank on such as a hurricane and what he calls the "application integrity" situation involving a popular middle school principal.

What a super would expect is an arduous budget process, changes in personnel and calendar challenges. However, in addition to the meteorological issues, there were times that Lulow felt that the 2011-2012 academic year seemed to go on forever.

While he was well aware the election in November would be a "contested" one, Lulow said the "results of the election changed things significantly." One on those "adjustments" was the shift in the board chair. Lulow admitted he expected a 4-4 vote for the chairmanship, and was "surprised" at the 5-3 vote placing a Democrat in a longstanding Republican dominated role.

Another unpredictable issue that landed on Lulow's desk was the nearly two-week of scrutiny surrounding a decade-old job application by Central Middle School Principal Shelley Somer.

Curb Appeal

When asked about the physical condition of the schools, Lulow said he believes the buildings do not look well-maintained and are lacking that curb appeal. He would like to see "better" and "thorough attention" paid to building exteriors. And to that end he praised the Board of Estimate and Taxation for raising the issue in the budget process. [Please see video 1.]

"The good thing ... is that the BET is realizing there are building needs," Lulow said.

Inside, Lulow explains that during his previous superintendency, only a few million dollars were allocated on school buildings. Since then two brand new elementary schools were built. But even then, Lulow agreed that the town needs to address the district's infrastructure. Reacting to a suggestion that one elementary school be closed at a time so that an in-depth refurbishment can occur, Lulow commented that he cannot "envision" how that scenario could logistically occur. However, he optimistically stated "the basic point is that we agree that there needs to be refurbishment."

How Utilized Are Our Schools?

One looming issue that Lulow predicts will need to be addressed soon is the growing concern over facility utilization across the schools. He advised, however, to bear in mind that the capacity of the buildings has changed over time with the introduction of classroom needs such as science labs. He said that low student populations in some schools, including Parkway School, will need to be evaluated. [Please see video 2.]

Disappointments

Lulow says that he is genuinely surprised about the number of people who have approached him "unsolicited on the street" to talk to him about the schools. It is an occurrence that he did not experience during his previous time in Greenwich. "I'm shocked" at the "thank you's" he said humbly, almost embarrassed. Lulow admitted that if Greenwich doesn't believe he has done a good job while here "that would be a major disappointment to me."

Lulow said that Greenwich and its schools do stand apart from others around the country for many reasons—among them because of its commitment to neighborhood schools; a high level of parent involvement, and an extremely high financial commitment from the town.

The superintendent's chair won't be empty for long.

The district's new superintendent, Dr. William McKersie assumes the helm on July 9.

Has Lulow passed on advice to McKersie who was Associate Superintendent for Academic Excellence for the Archdiocese of Boston? Lulow smiled and demurred, "we have had good conversations."

As McKersie and his wife and daughter become acclimated to Greenwich, Lulow and his wife of 46 years will be packing their travel bags. They plan to visit Hawaii, fulfilling a longstanding goal—to visit all 50 states. Hawaii is last on their list. And, they're looking forward to a trip to Turkey in the fall.

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