LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Ronald L. Friedman upon the occasion
of his retirement as Superintendent of the Great Neck Public Schools

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instru-
mental in developing character and academic excellence in the young
people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Ronald L. Friedman upon the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent
of the Great Neck Public Schools on Tuesday, June 16, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, Dr. Friedman has served as Superintendent
of the Great Neck Public Schools since August of 2004; he was well suit-
ed temperamentally, professionally, philosophically, and personally to
meet all challenges; and
WHEREAS, Prior to Great Neck, Dr. Friedman was Superintendent of the
Long Beach Public Schools, a position he had held since 1999; before the
Long Beach superintendency, he was Deputy Superintendent of schools in
the Elwood Union Free School District, in Greenlawn, in western Suffolk
County, where he began in 1989 as Assistant Superintendent; and
WHEREAS, Earlier, in 1985, the Long Beach Public Schools first hired
Dr. Friedman as Assistant Superintendent for instruction and personnel;
while in this role, he improved the district's early reading programs,
introduced and integrated technology in the classrooms and created
computer labs, and revised curricula in various academic areas, includ-
ing social studies, mathematics, and the sciences; and
WHEREAS, From 1979 to 1985, Dr. Friedman was employed by the Hicks-
ville Public Schools, first as director of personnel, then as director
of personnel and pupil personnel, and, finally, as Assistant Superinten-
dent; after his first two years as a secondary-school science teacher in
New York City, he moved to Lawrence High School to teach physics and
general science; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Dr. Friedman was appointed assistant
principal/acting principal of Lawrence High School, he remained in this
capacity for five years; while a teacher there, Dr. Friedman developed
and pioneered a successful college-level physics course; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Friedman, a longtime educator, mentions that he was drawn
to the teaching profession partly because of the model his mother
presented to him as a successful English teacher; after graduating from
The Cooper Union with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, he began
his career in education in 1967 as a junior high school science teacher
in the New York City Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Friedman also began his graduate studies in educational
administration at Hofstra University; from Hofstra, he received a
professional diploma in educational administration in 1977 and, in 1993,
a doctorate in educational administration (Ed.D); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Friedman has edited several books and newsletters in
school administration and school law, written articles for national
journals, has lectured extensively in seminars and workshops for school
administrators in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and has received numerous
awards and recognition for his professional and humanitarian activities
on behalf of children as well as adults within the Great Neck schools
and community; he is a true asset to society; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Shelley, and his son,
Dustin, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those distinguished individuals who work to support our proud
tradition of public education by providing their skills and talents to
our schools; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Ronald L. Friedman upon the occasion of his retirement as
Superintendent of the Great Neck Public Schools, for his significant
contributions to education in New York State and to wish him continued
success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Ronald L. Friedman.