Sussman ready to step aside

Come June 30, Lemoore will say "so long" to another school administrator. Harry Sussman, a longtime educator who stepped in this school year to fill superintendent Paul Terry's shoes at Lemoore Union High School District, will retire. Sussman will be replaced by the superintendent of Caruthers Unified School District, Dwight Miller.

Sussman's retirement comes on the heels of 40 years in education.

In the late 1960s, Sussman and his wife, Louise, graduated from the University of Colorado and accepted job offers in Fresno -- a place they had neither seen nor heard of. Sussman began teaching at Washington Union High School and Louise at Washington Colony Elementary School.

Sussman said that Washington Union was "probably the best training ground anyone could ever have as a teacher," partially due to its diverse student population and goal to make each student succeed.

After 17 years, Sussman moved on to become the director of Kings County Regional Occupational Programs for seven years. Then, 16 years ago, he was hired as the assistant superintendent for the Lemoore high school district, where he remained.

Immediately, when coming to Kings County, Sussman said he noticed educators' tendency to say "we" and "let's" -- marking united efforts. He mentioned partnerships with West Hills College as examples. Sussman said that 23 years later, that dynamic is seemingly still prominent, especially as funding from the state faces cuts.

There's also a communal effort in Lemoore, he said, where residents support the school district that thrives on "tradition, innovation and excellence."

"Lemoore High School is truly the gem of the city," Sussman said. "People don't bring people to town without driving them by the high school."

The Lemoore district is not one that is used to administrative turnover. Sussman said in the time he was assistant superintendent there were just two superintendents. Retiring Jim Bennett has been Lemoore High School's principal for most of the last decade. But turnover will appear in one large wave when Miller and Bennett's replacement, Rodney Brumit, take over.

When Terry and Bennett stepped in, they "did an excellent job in healing some of the wounds" that were opened by budgets and contracts of the past, Sussman said. He added that the district is "in some ways really at a golden age," and will be in good hands with its new leaders.

Sussman cited, as some of his career highlights, writing millions of dollars worth of grant proposals for projects and programs, never allowing himself to be limited by being in a small district, being at the forefront of technology implementation into schools -- and only working at schools whose color was purple.

"It's my favorite color," Sussman said, adding that his two children went to Fresno High School, where the color also is purple. Sussman emphasized that upon the establishment of the Lemoore district's alternative institutions, their respective colors became equally as important to him.

Colors aside, it was the students that kept him coming to work for four decades.

"If we don't, who will," Sussman said of his motivation. "We have too many kids and families depending on us, so we have to."

But coming to work was never a drag for Sussman.

"I've always been able to laugh more than frown," Sussman said. "And I always enjoyed coming to work. I've never taken myself too seriously to enjoy what we do."

Sussman credited much of that to his colleagues, who agreed that he had a positive attitude at work.

"He has really been a great boss," said Joanne Fagundes, who has been assistant to Sussman at two separate parts of his career, totaling about 20 years. "He truly enjoys what he does. He will be missed. But change is always good."

Debbie Muro, assistant superintendent for the district, said Sussman built up the district's vocational education opportunities, which wouldn't be what they are if it weren't for him.

In retirement, Sussman said he plans to stay closely connected to his colleagues -- so they can take him out to lunch, he added, smiling. But he won't be close in proximity. Sussman and his wife plan to move to Sacramento, where their children live, and purchase an old house to fix up. He also plans to travel.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(May 9, 2008)