Q&A: Interim Superintendent Richard Douglas

Before serving as the superintendent in Montecito, Richard Douglas had a decades-long history with the Beverly Hills Unified School District. He was an assistant principal at El Rodeo, a principal at Hawthorne, and a teacher and coach at Beverly Hills High School. Now he's returned to fill in as superintendent for the BHUSD until the Board of Education makes a permanent hire.

Beverly Hills Patch: How has the transition back to Beverly Hills Unified been for you?

Richard Douglas: It's been a wonderful experience. I've had a chance to rekindle some wonderful relationships that I've had over the years with people that are still here—and at the same time—meet some wonderfully qualified people who work very, very hard. It's been great.

The people here are really dedicated to doing a great job and it's been wonderful to connect with them. And then there are support groups here—PTAs in each of the schools, the Educational Foundation that does so much for the schools and the City Council—and I know some of those people, they've been on the board in previous years when I was here.

Patch: What are some of the first things on your plate as interim superintendent?

Douglas: Right now it's to identify the issues that the district faces right now and to help the board have a strategic conversation where we can prioritize and identify strategies.

Patch: What are some of the other issues?

Douglas: There are budgetary issues that we need to take into account. Every district is faced with revenues that aren't as stable as you might like and you've got to balance the expenditures as a result.

Patch: How are you going to help the district transition to basic aid?

Douglas: I served as the president of an organization called Schools for Sound Finance and that's a statewide coalition of basic aid districts…. I have a certain understanding of the issues basic aid districts face and some of the ways in which they need to approach the budget. There is a volatility connected to basic aid that isn't connected to revenue-sharing and you need to be prepared for that.

Patch: How are you going to draw upon your experience serving as the superintendent in Montecito?

Douglas: There's great value in having been a superintendent. You are used to working with a board, which is a very important part of the superintendent's job. You're used to dealing with the financial issues, facility issues, personnel issues and looking at a vision for the district.

Patch: What's your vision for the Beverly Hills Unified School District?

Douglas: The district has to be a high-achieving school district. That's the reason for school districts—to help students achieve academically. I think that we have the resources here. When you combine the outstanding staff that's in place, the leadership that's in place, the support from the parents and the support from the community—all of the infrastructure is here to have every opportunity for students to achieve.

Patch: If you could give any advice to students in the district, what would it be?

Douglas: I think it's what I've told a lot of students over the years, "You have to be prepared to do your best and you've got to take advantage of every opportunity that exists for you." At Beverly Hills High School, the elementary schools, K-8 schools offer a tremendous number of opportunities for students. They shouldn't be taken for granted. Students should take advantage of every one of those opportunities to expand their knowledge, expand their horizons.

Patch: Is there anything you plan to change about the way that the district is currently run?

Douglas: I think that's premature. That's what I'm in the process of doing right now. I don't think that you should come in and say, "You should do this and this," without an understanding of where the district is, what the needs are.

There are a lot of people here who are very, very smart and they have a great understanding of where we are and where the district has been over the last few years, so I think you need to be a great listener and gain an understanding of where we are and then decide, "OK, where does that tell me we need to go?"

Patch: How do you plan to get the school district ready for the fall?

Douglas: Working with people at this district office and principals at each of the schools, who are all here right now working very hard to be ready for the start of the school year. Just like the students shouldn't take for granted the opportunities that exist for them, nor should teachers or parents or the community take for granted all of the wonderful work that takes place in preparing for the school year.

Patch: Is there anything we haven't talked about that you feel is important for the community to know?

Douglas: The idea that this district has the opportunity to be truly the best. What it takes is the building of trust among all the participants and that leads to teamwork and relationships and that's the basis for a district being able to make the changes necessary to become great.

Patch: Do you see yourself as a candidate for the permanent position of superintendent?

Douglas: I was asked to come in and help with the transition and that's what I'm dedicated to doing right now. However long that transition is, I'm prepared to help.