Final Board Meeting Celebrates Cohn's Career

It wasn't a Superbowl ring. It wasn't an original portrait. But the Poly championship ring and the framed photo of Bobbie Kennedy meant as much to Dr. Carl Cohn who received them at his final Board of Education meeting. He's been a great fan of both. But his fans turned the tables on him Tuesday.

Standing ovations and heartfelt words of thanks punctuated the farewell meeting.

A surprise visit from CSULB President Bob Maxson capped the parade of guests at the podium.

"I've known Carl for nine years," said Maxson. "He's been my partner, my colleague, my best friend. I have said it many times: I absolutely think he's the best superintendent in America. I don't mean the best urban superintendent. I don't mean the best large district superintendent. I've always thought he was the best superintendent in the country.

"It's been an absolute love affair between Long Beach State and Long Beach Unified School District," he said.

"You don't hear faculty on my campus complaining about the students coming out of the schools in Long Beach Unified. They come to college; they're ready to do college work. They're good students. And that leadership starts right at the top.

"We all know about his innovations ... This school district has been first in America on so many innovative programs. It's no accident that a President has come here to visit. It's no accident that secretaries of education have come here to visit. It's because of what goes on in this school district.

"One of the things I've learned from Carl-- and I think it typifies his leadership--Carl always surrounds himself with good people, and that was evident to me from the first year I got here. He surrounded himself with smart people. But he did something else--he listened to them. And then he always gives them credit for what's accomplished. That's what I've learned about leadership from Carl Cohn.

"It's been a wonderful nine years." Poly secretary Phoebe McBennett and former Poly co-principal Mel Collins, now new co-principal at Cabrillo, presented Dr. Cohn with a Poly ring "from the Home of Scholars and Champions." Cohn, a longtime Poly fan, this fall plans to attend Poly's game in Hawaii against Kuhuku High School.

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Gordon thanked the superintendent for his major contributions to the schools and the community. He pledged the chamber's co-sponsorship of Principal for a Day "for as long as I'm president," and stressed the importance of getting community leaders into the schools to see both the challenges and the improvements taking place.

"In the eight years I've been here. I've watched Carl Cohn do some amazing things," said Gordon. "One of my favorite quotes (from business) is 'Add enough value so that everyone will know that something very important is missing when you leave.' I think all of us will agree that something very important will be missing when Carl Cohn leaves the district. He has added tremendous value to the district and to everyone who lives and works in the district.

Gordon presented him with a plaque that read: "Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible. "That's exactly what you have done."

Cohn, the longest-serving large urban school district superintendent in the U.S., is retiring after 10 years as superintendent of schools, 27 years of service to the students and schools of the Long Beach Unified School District, and a total of 34 years of service in public education. He has made a national name for the district through courageous initiatives, tenacious dedication to his strong conviction that all students can learn, and brilliant leadership of California's third largest school system.

"He has done a remarkable job of inspiring our dedicated staff, attaining higher academic standards. improving student achievement. enlisting public involvement and encouraging community support for our schools." said Mary Stanton. Board of Education vice president.

"His intelligence, integrity, innovation and exemplary skills will now be shared with the next generation of outstanding school superintendents and principals as he prepares future educational leaders at the Rossier School of Education at USC.

"We have been so fortunate to have as the leader of our school district America's finest superintendent, an amazing leader and superb role model who has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of students and their families for the better."

In response to the parade of gratitude, Cohn said. "I have nothing earth-shattering to say other than thank you to all of you who have afforded me the privilege of serving as your superintendent these past 10 years, a privilege that hasn't been given to any other urban superintendent recently.

"In a couple days, this superintendency will end. But the hopes and dreams of building a bright future for the children that we're privileged to serve will go on and on. Thank you. So long."