Lawyer, educator and ‘workaholic’

Bernard “Bernie” Shulman loved law and education, two passions he put to good use during his career with the Palm Beach County School District.

Shulman, of Boca Raton, served as a teacher, lawyer, community liaison and even superintendent during a 22-year tenure with the school district that lasted into his 80s. He died Sunday at 91.

“He was a workaholic and loved serving the community,” said his son, Steven Shulman. “He was an advocate for public schools. He retired many times, but he kept coming back.”

Shulman began teaching high school science in his hometown of Boston in 1948. A son of immigrant Jewish parents from small towns in Ukraine, Shulman earned a law degree in 1954 and went into private practice while working for the Boston public school system. His jobs included middle school principal, associate district superintendent and college lecturer.

Shulman intended to practice law when he moved to Boca Raton in 1984, but an impromptu visit to Boca Raton Middle School led to an immediate job offer and the title of science department head. The next year, at 60, he left the classroom and became the Palm Beach County School District’s No. 2 lawyer. Shulman later became deputy superintendent under thenschools chief Monica Uhlhorn. After Uhlhorn’s explosive term ended in 1995 with a $300,000 contract buyout, a wounded system gave Shulman the top office. He served as the interim superintendent for less than a year, earning accolades for his peacemaking skills. He retired in 1996, but stayed busy as president of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton, practicing law, working as a court-certified mediator, serving on various boards and giving motivational talks on cruise ships.

In 1999, he returned to the district to work as a fulltime associate counsel. In 2004, he was given the position of community liaison, where his duties included assisting foster children attending district schools. Shulman retired for good in December 2006.

“Dr. Shulman was a legacy,” said School Board member Marcia Andrews, a former district administrator. “He did great things for students and everyone.”

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine Shulman; his sons, Steven Shulman and James Shulman of Boca Raton; his daughter, Nancy San Filippo of Delray Beach; and four grandchildren.