Riverhead School Superintendent Takes Leave; Interim Supe Named

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Riverhead Central School District's Board of Education passed a resolution Thursday night to grant a sudden leave of absence to Superintendent Dr. Augustine Tornatore.

According to a message to the Blue Waves community by Colin Palmer, BOE president: "We wanted to inform the community that the Board of Education, by resolution this evening at a special meeting of the Board of Education, has appointed Dr. William Galati, our executive director of secondary education, grants and student outcomes, as acting superintendent of schools effective Friday, October 6, 2023."

No reason was given for the resolution. In recent days, 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.

Dr. Galati will serve in that capacity through Monday, October 23, Palmer said.

"The Board felt this was the prudent action to take in light of Dr. Tornatore’s request, and the board’s approval by resolution this evening, of Dr. Tornatore’s use of vacation and personal leave days that will result in his being away from the district starting tomorrow, October 6, 2023 through Monday, October 23, 2023."

Also, Palmer told Patch, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lori Koerner was reassigned to home earlier this week pending an investigation; he did not offer further explanation into the reason for that reassignment.

District staff has been informed of the interim change in the office of the superintendent of schools, Palmer said.

"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.

The district’s next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10 at 7 p.m. in the Riverhead High School auditorium.

"The Riverhead community is encouraged to attend," Palmer said.