Riverhead school board accepts resignation of Superintendent Augustine Tornatore
The Riverhead school board approved a more than $200,000 separation agreement Tuesday night for Superintendent Augustine Tornatore and accepted his resignation. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
The Riverhead school board approved a more than $200,000 separation agreement Tuesday night for Superintendent Augustine Tornatore and accepted his resignation, about eight months before his contract was set to end.
Tornatore had requested a leave of absence that began Oct. 6 and ended Monday, when he submitted his resignation, district officials said. The school board gave no explanation for the resignation. Tornatore was not immediately available for comment late Tuesday.
His tenure started July 1, 2021, and was set to expire June 30, 2024, according to a separation agreement posted on the district's website.
The school board also appointed former Three Village Central School District Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich to serve as interim superintendent starting next Monday and continuing through June 30. She replaced William Galati, the district’s executive director of secondary education, grants and student outcomes, who was appointed as interim superintendent through Sunday following Tornatore’s leave of absence.
The board said they will begin a search for a permanent superintendent.
The separation agreement approved Tuesday night for Tornatore included “one lump sum,” not including taxes, the balance of his 2023-24 salary totaling $182,331. He will also be paid for 10 vacation days, totaling $10,667 and five sick days for $5,771 and the board will deposit $10,000 into the superintendent’s designated Section 403(b) account.
“The parties have agreed that it is in their mutual best interests to end their employment relationship earlier than June 30, 2024,” the separation agreement states. “ … the superintendent will separate from service with the district at this time, in order to avoid the uncertainties, costs and risks of potential litigation between them.”
The district also agreed to pay Tornatore’s health insurance through June 30 or until he finds other employment.
In an interview with Newsday after his April 2021 appointment, Tornatore laid out a detailed agenda that included earning the public's trust after voters rejected the school district’s proposed $147.1 million budget for 2020-21. He also listed increased state aid for improvements to district buildings, boosting support services for general and special education, as well as for those whom English is a second language.
"I’m truly honored and humbled to serve the students at Riverhead," Tornatore, who grew up in Hicksville, told Newsday after his appointment. "I’m truly excited about this endeavor."
He previously served as superintendent of the Liberty Central School District in upstate Sullivan County, a position he had held since 2018. Tornatore was a nominee for the 2021 New York Superintendent of the Year.
The district will pay Pedisich $1,200 per school day worked, but without health insurance, according to the board agreement.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted to remove assistant purchasing agent Rodney Asse, who was hired in May 2022. He was replaced in the same position by Christine Peters. The board gave no explanation for Asse's removal.
Earlier this month, Assistant Superintendent Lori Koerner was reassigned to work from home pending an investigation that district officials described as a personnel matter.
With Tara Smith
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
