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GREENWICH, Conn. Roger J. Lulow will head Greenwich Public Schools once more, again as the interim superintendent, to replace the outgoing schools chief Sidney Freund, the Board of Education announced Tuesday night in a special meeting.
I will tell you that many of the issues that are in Greenwich, are in every school district in America. There are certainly some that are genuinely unique to Greenwich, said Lulow. I found that the last time I came here people were quick to share, quick to provide information and make sure everybody got up to speed.
Lulow served as interim superintendent from 1998 to 2002 and has maintained a connection with the community since leaving. Freund announced his resignation in May, citing differences and difficulties with some school board members.
Lulows appointment as interim superintendent goes into effect Aug. 23, and he is expected to serve in that capacity for the 2011-12 school year while a permanent schools chief is found.
Since his 1996 "retirement," Lulow has served as an educational planner for Lesko Associates in Ohio, as interim superintendent in Greenwich from 1998 to 2002, and twice for the Elyria City Schools in Elyria, Ohio. Most recently he planned and hosted the 2011 National Academy for School Superintendents at Ohio State University.
School board Chair Steven Anderson said the board searched for someone with a clear understanding of the needs and expectations of Greenwich schools and knowledge of how to build on educational strengths and drive performance improvement. Anderson said that in the past, under Lulow, Greenwich schools experienced increases in standardized test scores and participation in Advanced Placement courses, an improved budget process, and an extensive review of curriculum.
Just knowing, in a 60,000-person town, the makeups of the different neighborhoods, the elementary schools, the middle schools, all the way up to the one high school, is very key, said Anderson. Then there's the budget process, which is uniquely Greenwich. Knowing the process and knowing the players are very important things for us to successfully advocate for our needs.
The board plans to dive into an examination of students scores on the most recent Connecticut Master Test and Connecticut Academic Performance Test at its Sept. 1 work session.
Did you know Roger Lulow when he served previously as interim superintendent? What do you think of the boards decision to appoint him as interim superintendent? Comment below or send responses to ahelhoski@thedailygreenwich.com.
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