Riverhead School Superintendent Resigns After Abrupt Leave Of Absence

RIVERHEAD, NY — After a sudden leave of absence earlier this month, Riverhead School Superintendent Dr. Augustine Tornatore has resigned.

The Riverhead Central School District's Board of Education accepted his resignation Tuesday, according to the separation agreement. According to his employment agreement, Tornatore had been slated to serve in the position until June 30, 2024.

"The parties have agreed that it is in their mutual best interests to end their employment relationship earlier," the agreement reads.

The agreement said that the district will pay Tornatore the remainder of his salary for the year, as well as vacation and sick days, totaling about $200,000; he will also have his health and dental insurance covered until June, 2024, the agreement said.

Dr. William Galati will remain the interim superintendent until October 29, and Cheryl Pedisich will be the interim superintendent beginning on October 30 through June 30, the district said. The search for a new superintendent will commence, the district said.

In a letter to the community, BOE president Colin Palmer said: "We thank Dr. Tornatore for his service to our district and the children of Riverhead."

The plan is to also bring on an acting assistant superintendent of business, he said. "I am very happy to report to you that to fill these two pivotal positions in the district we have been able to secure the services of two highly respected and honored Long Island educators and administrators. Cheryl Pedisich, retired superintendent of Three Village Central School District, will be joining us as interim superintendent of Schools effective Monday, October 30 through June 30, 2024. Also joining the district as acting assistant superintendent for business is Dr. Marianne Cartisano, retired superintendent of Miller Place School District."

Cartisano starts today and will also be with the District through June 30, 2024, he said.

"These two individuals bring an extraordinary wealth of experience in school leadership and financial acumen to our district. They will provide us with a level of stability we need to steer our district in a direction that will effectively support the educational programming and services we offer our students and the Riverhead community."

Pedisich’s background includes 10 years as superintendent of schools in the Three Village Central School District, Palmer said. Prior to that, she served Three Village as deputy superintendent; assistant superintendent for education, curriculum, instruction, and pupil personnel services; and executive director of pupil personnel services.

Cartisano’s tenure in Miller Place includes 10 years as superintendent of schools, he added. She also served that district as deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent for business. Prior to joining the Miller Place School District, Cartisano was the assistant superintendent for business in the Rocky Point School District.

"As you can surmise, these two extraordinary administrators, who have worked together in the past during their respective times as superintendents, create an exceptional leadership team for our district," Palmer said. "We are confident they will be able to bring a sense of collaboration and focus to the operations of our District that will have positive impacts on the effective functioning of our central administrative offices, as well as forge a sense of unity district-wide that will ultimately benefit the education and well-being of our students and staff."

He added: "We are looking forward to working with both Ms. Pedisich and Dr. Cartisano in laying a foundation that will help ensure a smooth and bright future for the Riverhead Central School District this year and in years ahead."

Earlier this month, the Riverhead Central School District's Board of Education passed a resolution to grant a sudden leave of absence to Tornatore.

No reason was given for the resolution. In recent weeks, the district has made headlines due to "reprehensible"swastikas found on desks and "racial slurs" at a school football game that led to a call for action and change.

"This development will have no impact on the education of our students or the district’s many programs and services provided in support of our students’ education," Palmer added at the time.