The search for a new superintendent for our schools is complete. At the
October 26th meeting of the Board of Education, Mr. Paul Doyle was sworn in as the next Superintendent of Schools of the Riverhead Central School District.

On October 15th, Mr. Doyle spoke with district residents during an open meeting of the Executive PTO Council. The discussion was moderated by Council President Laurie Downs, and those who participated were encouraged to fill out a response sheet that was submitted to the members of the Board of Education. Approximately 30 people attended the discussion.

Mr. Doyle’s words seemed to echo the mantra (“Together for children...we can...”) introduced earlier this year by Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Laria.


“If people are willing to work together, they can build coalitions and develop plans and strategies to address the needs of the district,” stated Mr. Doyle, “but one superintendent and 7 board members cannot do it by themselves. The community must come together, and the district must continually educate people about the issues.”

Some of the issues raised during the evening included addressing academic concerns; guidance overload; the 4.9% dropout rate; facilities expansion to address the overcrowding in the high school; lobbying legislators for more funding; special education programs; and filling, retaining and understanding the competitive marketplace for administrative personnel.

“These are all issues we have been working to address as a board,” stated Board of Education President Lori Montefusco. “We’re looking forward to working together -- with Mr. Doyle and the school community -- to resolve these and other issues in the near future. Mr. Doyle will officially begin his duties on December 7th, but he will be available sooner to help us in our search for candidates to fill the other administrative positions we have open.”

Opportunities to work together within the District include Board of Education, PTO and PTSO meetings, booster club meetings, special committee meetings, site-based management teams, the CAP program, and other volunteer opportunities. Building principals invite your participation in your child’s education. Opportunities also exist at the regional and state level for parents and residents to be involved in lobbying legislators and forming coalitions of citizens.