Manhasset School Superintendent Charlie Cardillo to retire
Manhasset schools Superintendant Charles Cardillo shown above in 2006, has announced his retirement after 11 years with the district, effective at the end of the school year. Credit: Newsday / Alan Raia
Longtime Manhasset schools Superintendent Charlie Cardillo has announced his retirement effective at the end of the school year.
Cardillo, 64, the second-longest serving Manhasset schools superintendent, has served the district since November 2005. Prior to that, he spent 30 years as a deputy superintendent in the Sachem school district.
“I love Manhasset,” Cardillo said Thursday. “I have tremendous support from our Board of Education, tremendous support from our students, our staff, our parents, the community. They see we are all very, very involved in our school district and so it is a bittersweet moment.”
The Board of Education said a search for Cardillo’s replacement will begin soon.
Cardillo said he decided to retire to spend more time with his family. He has six sons, including twins who serve as Naval officers. He also has four grandchildren. His wife, Debbie, has recovered after being hospitalized for some time this year and Cardillo said her health scare influenced his decision.
He fostered a “student-centered” approach to his administration, Cardillo said, with a commitment to improving instruction and providing opportunities for students across what he referred to as the “Four A’s”: academics, athletics, arts and activities.
The district of about 3,300 students is often ranked among the top public school systems nationwide.
Last year, two Manhasset High School students won the $100,000 top team award in the national Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. This week, another team from the high school was named among 96 Siemens regional finalists nationwide.
Cardillo gave credit to the staff and also the district’s commitment to science research including its own in-house facility.
“It has been a privilege and great honor to serve as superintendent of the Manhasset public schools, one of the premier school districts in the country,” Cardillo said.
More than 95 percent of Manhasset High School graduates go on to four-year colleges.
“The greatness of our school district can be attributed to every individual in this community,” he said.
Cardillo has invested in and upgraded the district’s facilities and grounds for the benefit of the students as well as for the community, according to the district.
As Manhasset superintendent, Cardillo earned $292,064 in the 2015-16 academic year, according to the latest compensation figures from the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System.
Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.