Goodrich ? Dr. Raymond Green began his career as a teacher and counselor. On the eve of retiring as superintendent of Goodrich schools, his legacy will remain imprinted on the lives and careers of those with whom he has worked.
The Goodrich Board of Education ‘reluctantly? voted to accept Dr. Green’s resignation at its Jan. 12 meeting. As Green’s retirement is effective beginning June 30, the board will waste no time in the daunting task of searching for his replacement.
‘I have learned so much from him over the last 14 years,? said Oaktree Principal Kim Hart.
‘He’s a very quiet man, not flashy, but he’s well known and very respected throughout the county. We are going to miss him.?
In 1964, Green worked as a history and social studies teacher in the Gibraltar, Mich. district while earning his degree in counseling at the University of Michigan. He went on to work as a counselor and assistant principal, eventually earning his doctorate while working in the Berkley and Walled Lake school districts in Michigan.
An opening for principal at Goodrich High School appealed to Green, as it was close to his wife’s home town of Grand Blanc.
‘I was lucky enough to get that job,? said Green, who went on to accept the position of superintendent only a year later.
Former Goodrich School Board President Rudi Deschner says hiring Green was ‘one of the better decisions? made by the board.
‘He has a great concern for students’that’s one of the foremost things about him. He was above and beyond anyone else we interviewed,? Deschner said.
In Green’s 23 years as superintendent, he’s played a vital role in curriculum decisions, and building and renovation issues.
During his tenure, three bonds were approved, enabling the district to get rid of 12 ‘terrible, stinky? portable classrooms and completely renovate Reid Elementary, build Oaktree, the middle school and the new auditorium, fix roofs and have boilers replaced, and institute top-notch technology.
‘He’s just a great planner,? said Goodrich Middle School Principal Jerry Lawrason, citing Green’s penchant for relying on the ‘people in the trenches? to know what’s going on.
The district’s successes have not come without low points. From Green’s initial student population of 1,728, Goodrich enrollment sunk to approximately 1,420 in the 1980s due to a sour economy.
‘At one point we thought if the decline continued we might consolidate,? said Green.
‘Losing enrollment is a bummer.,? he said, searching for the right words. ‘It’s psychologically not uplifting to lose students’you see that in Flint.?
Green worked with Grand Blanc Schools on joint programs like community education until the economy picked up, he said. When sewers were brought to the area, increased development brought new students to the district. Closed programs such as wood and metal shop were eventually replaced with technology reflecting changing career opportunities.
Staff members and administrators alike hail Green for his professional and composed manner in the face of difficulty.
‘He takes things very calmly,? said Hart. ‘His most famous quote is ‘It’s not worth getting an ulcer over.?
As building representative, Reid Elementary teacher Linda Jackson has faced Green at the union bargaining table, and seen the superintendent face a range of emotions.
‘But he’s always professional,? said Jackson. ‘I always feel we’ve been able to communicate and reach an amiable agreement. He’s always a good listener, he tries to listen to see what exactly needs to be done.?
Jackson recalls a strong consensus among Reid teachers regarding the need for another second-grade class prior to school opening one fall. After initially expressing a ‘wait and see? attitude, Green notified Reid teachers of his decision to add the class within 24 hours.
‘Within two days we had a person in place to sub until a candidate could be interviewed, and the principal was calling parents to see if it was okay,? she said. ‘It shows how quickly things can get done once a decision is made.?
Jackson feels Reid pupils see Green as a ‘big pleasant Teddy bear?.
As superintendent, Green has always shown outstanding support for athletic programs, attending nearly every Friday night home game, said GHS Athletic Director Al Martus. Green’s attendance at golf and tennis regionals, wrestling finals, and every other sporting and school event is indicative of Green’s all-encompassing good nature and ability to enjoy his job.
‘He didn’t want to retire until he got a state championship team, and we got it this year,? said Martus, in reference to the girls cross country state championship won this year.
‘We shouldn’t have let ’em win,? he said, jokingly.
Glen Arden has worked in maintenance at GHS since 1974.
‘Whenever I needed something he was always there. I’ve been through a few superintendents’he’s right up there with the best of them,? said Arden.
‘He’s just one heck of an administrator and a better person,? said Lawrason.
Green’s longevity with the district is unusual in an era of ladder-climbing.
‘It’s an excellent place to work,? said Green. ‘People here have high aspirations for their children, and support the staff and programs. The staff is all eager to improve. You don’t see anybody sitting on their laurels.?
An atmosphere of mutual respect also plays a role in Green’s satisfaction with the district.
‘If I’d felt really uncomfortable I don’t think it would have been a problem finding employment elsewhere,? he said.
‘The bottom line is he did not go selling his Ph.D. all over the place. He stayed here to make this a better district, and that’s why we owe him a debt of gratitude,? said Michael Thorp, school board president.
‘When we named the auditorium-arts center for him it was an indication of our great esteem and respect.?
Green was eligible to retire 10 years ago.
‘I decided as long as I’m going to work, I’ll work where I’m going to enjoy it,? he said.
Close working relationships with the staff is something he will miss.
Judy Affeldt served as Dr. Green’s secretary for 22 years. She beat him to retirement by one year, asserting she ‘didn’t want to work for anyone else.?
In a message sent from sunny Florida, Affeldt aptly expressed the sentiment felt by many who have worked with Green.
‘If you wanted to create the perfect superintendent, he would be your blueprint. If you wanted to create a great human being, you would use the same blueprint. He is both of these rolled into one, and that is why working for him for 22 years was a very nice ‘gig,? said Affeldt.
‘He’s so smart, he’s so kind and he’s incredibly fair and compassionate. Whatever he decides to do in retirement, he will do with class. I wish the best of everything for him and Lorna.?