Flash forward 24 years later and, effective Dec. 1, Ms. Edwards was officially named director of health, physical education and athletics at Riverhead Central Schools.

“When I saw the position open up, I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring,” Ms. Edwards said. “When you love athletics and you love education and you love being around kids, there’s no job better. It’s my dream job. And most importantly, Riverhead is home.”

After a lengthy interview process in the spring with Bob Hagen, Riverhead’s new superintendent of schools, and the board of education, seeing her phone ring with his name plastered on the screen this summer instantly brought mixed feelings.

“He started talking about how much of a great candidate I was and saying all these nice things about me,” Ms. Edwards said. “Listening to all this, I was waiting for the ‘but.’ I had already programmed myself to accept not getting the position that I didn’t realize, there was no ‘but.’ He just offered me the job.”

After graduating from Riverhead in 2001, Ms. Edwards starred for Springfield College in softball, playing catcher. She smacked 26 home runs in her collegiate career, which set a school record at the time. Following her playing career, she coached at the college level in the Boston area before coming back to Long Island.

“My whole family is here,” Ms. Edwards said. “Family always pulls you back, and that’s exactly what keeps me here today.”

Ms. Edwards accepted a position to coach Pierson in softball and field hockey. During her time there, the field hockey team won a New York State Championship for the first time in school history, and the softball team made it to the state championships three years in a row.

“It was a crazy time because once we started getting success in softball and field hockey, other teams started following suit,” she said. “Baseball started getting good, soccer, every sport wanted that taste of success. At that point, winning becomes the expectation, which is exactly the mentality I want to bring to Riverhead.”

In 2013, Ms. Edwards got an opportunity to head into the administrative field, accepting the assistant athletic director position at McGann-Mercy, a private school in Riverhead. That assistant tag didn’t last long as she fully took over the program shortly after. She held the position until the school closed its doors in 2018.

“While I was at Mercy, I realized this is the job I was meant to do,” Ms. Edwards said. “The opportunity to make an impact on kids across the board and give them a true chance at success was so fulfilling. I wanted nothing more than to do it again.”

She decided to go back to school and received her master’s degree in physical education from Adelphi University. Edwards then accepted a teaching job at Wantagh while being the assistant softball coach for a few years before most recently heading to East Hampton High School to coach their softball team. 

“No matter where I went, I always wanted to come back home,” Ms. Edwards said. “I live in Riverhead. I was born in Riverhead. This was always my end goal.”

When Hans Wiederkehr, Riverhead’s interim athletic director, first heard of the hiring and met Ms. Edwards, he knew instantly she was the right person for the job. 

“Energy,” Mr. Wiederkehr said. “If you don’t have energy in this position, you’re done. And if it’s not positive energy, it’s even worse. She has the energy, and she legitimately wants the best for Riverhead athletics. It’s not just talk. Nobody wants this more than her.”

Mr. Wiederkehr will stay on board to help with the transition and to build off of what’s been done already. The main focus has been on youth sports. In partnership with the booster clubs, youth sporting opportunities have skyrocketed in Riverhead.

There’s football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse — anything youth-related, it’s been started. Most recently, there’s been an emphasis on kid wrestling taking root again.

“Our buildings are full with kids’ sports every day of the week,” Mr. Wiederkehr said, showing off a detailed sheet on his desk. “Parents have stepped up. There’s many volunteers that are committed to turning things around, and both of us are committed to helping do that.”

Another thing Ms. Edwards plans on tackling is the playing fields. 

“We want to make this place pristine and top-notch like our athletes deserve here,” she said. “We’re working hard with the grounds crew to clean this place up. Every day, we have a new project.”

To Ms. Edwards, the budget cuts excuse is gone. There are no more excuses. Riverhead will succeed.

“The fact of the matter is I care,” she said. “This is my home. I know all these long-time Riverhead families. I want the best for this town, and I believe in this town. Riverhead athletics is changing. We’re already seeing major progress. All I want to do is foster that success and make it an expectation.”

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Abigail Robillard (Credit: Courtesy photo) Max Odell (age 4) on his first day of Kindergarten at Riley Ave Elementary School (Credit: Courtesy photo) Taya Ann, first day at Pulaski Street Schoo, 5th grade (Credit: Courtesy photo) Riley Avenue 2025, 4th grade (Credit: Courtesy photo) Lila, Quinn and Elsie Corwin going into 8th, 6th and 4th grades (Credit: Courtesy photo) First day at Roanoke Ave. Elementary School (Credit: George Faella) First day at Roanoke Ave. Elementary School (Credit: George Faella) First day at Roanoke Ave. Elementary School (Credit: George Faella) Nola of Aquebogue (Credit: Courtesy photo)

Here are some recent Education headlines; scroll to the bottom for links to district calendars.

SWR District 2026 lunch program directives

Shoreham-Wading River cafeterias will be required to provide a complete meal to any student who asks for one under the state’s universal free meals program starting this year. The state program follows the National School Lunch Program as a criteria for nutrition at meal time. READ MORE

SWR High School gym fire shifts athletics, phys ed activities

Superintendent Gerard Poole said water damages to the gym floor — a result of efforts to extinguish the fire — will require “major renovation,” but all other areas will be open for the start of the year. Work to replace the floor has already begun, with the floor already ripped up as of Aug. 26. READ MORE

Community advisory committee formed by Riverhead school board

Effective in October, the Riverhead Central School District board of education will create its new Community Involvement and Language Access Advisory Committee to bridge gaps in communication and alert leadership of community concerns. READ MORE

Area districts lay out state-mandated cell ban plans

Gov. Hochul’s policy, which was approved as part of the 2026 fiscal year budget, prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on K-12 school grounds for the entire day, including classroom time, lunch and study hall periods. READ MORE

New athletic director Ferry to lead SWR wildcat pack 

Deb Ferry was appointed Shoreham-Wading River’s new director of health, physical education and athletics and plans to have a “boots on the ground approach.” She will replace former athletics director Eric Bramoff, who joined the district in July 2024. READ MORE

Wishing students, staff, teachers, administrators and parents an enriching 2025-26 year!

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The committee is tasked with alerting leadership of community concerns. This includes access to student services and co-curricular programs, as well as language access issues for non-English speaking students and parents.

Once problems are identified, the committee will present solution-oriented recommendations for the Riverhead school board to consider. This group will consist of 20 community members, three current school board members, Riverhead Central School District superintendent Robert Hagan and director of ENL Services and Community Outreach Emily Sanz.

“The board will strive to have the committee’s members each school year be representative of the district’s student population,” the committee charter stated. “Further, depending on the number of applications for committee membership received each school year, the board will strive to cycle through different committee members each school year so as to give all persons interested an opportunity to participate.”

Once established, the committee will hold at least four meetings throughout the school year. The public can attend these meetings, but participation will be limited to committee members unless the chairperson determines otherwise. Translation and interpretation services will be provided at these meetings. Any reports or documents will be available in both English and Spanish, or any other language if deemed necessary.

Any community members interested in joining the committee must submit an application to the board of education. Applicants must currently live within the Riverhead Central School District and have done so for at least one year. They also must have at least one child enrolled and attending the district’s schools.

The school board gives final approval of all community members appointed to the committee.

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With Riverhead Central School District classes back in session on Tuesday, Sept. 2, Leah Leonard has spent the last few months scouring Amazon, Walmart and Target to get her 5-year-old son, Levi, all ready to start kindergarten at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School.

As an ENL teacher at Southold Elementary School, Ms. Leonard said her profession has given her insight into the kindergarten curriculum. She also understands what Levi needs to succeed in school.

“I probably spent around $300 in total on supplies, but I’d gladly spend double for my son and whatever his teacher needed,” Ms. Leonard said. “I personally know teachers are working so hard to make kids excited about learning, so if that means that they have one less thing to worry about — like my son showing up with pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils — it’s totally worth it.”

Back to school costs rise

National reports show a spike in back-to-school spending due to the potential impacts of tariffs and inflation. Back in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported a 9.4% increase in prices for educational books and supplies. The National Retail Federation estimated that shoppers with K-12 children are budgeting nearly $144 for school supplies.

After getting the official kindergarten supply list in June, Ms. Leonard began spacing out her expenses throughout the summer months. A new backpack was one of the first items on her list, and Levi landed on a classic L.L. Bean kids’ book bag with a blue camouflage pattern — to match the Riverhead Blue Waves colors.

‘COVID babies’ entering classrooms

This incoming class of kindergarteners is also a unique one. Nationwide, these children are the over three million babies born in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. One of the unexpected benefits of all the family time spent home together was it allowed Ms. Leonard and her husband Mike to focus on Levi’s emotional needs.

“We’ve had the opportunity to ensure Levi knows that he is so genuinely loved, and that we are supportive of him in everything that he does,” she said. “I know my husband and I have prepared my son for whatever he needs to do.”

Prepped since Pre-K

Levi’s enrollment in universal Pre-K at St. David’s School in Riverhead was helpful in acclimating him to an educational environment. He also already formed a few friendships, so he will start kindergarten with some familiar faces.

Being in a daycare center is a good boost to the immune system for kids as well. However, in the event illness comes home with Levi, his mom has assembled her remedies and sick day needs.

Overall, Ms. Leonard said Levi is thrilled to start kindergarten and is particularly pumped to ride the school bus. Just like any new experience, school will be something to get used to. The mom and teacher said “falling asleep at dinner time” is common during the first week, after long days of learning.

But in Ms. Leonard’s heart, she believes Levi carries all the love and encouragement his parents have poured into him. And that’s what makes him “kindergarten ready.”

“I’m excited for him to be on another journey. Of course, as a mom, I’m worried. Will he make new friends? Will he feel comfortable with new teachers?” Ms. Leonard said. “I just know [Roanoke Avenue Elementary School] is going to be such a good place for him to go and learn. Their slogan is ‘The little school with a big heart,’ and that, just as a parent, makes me so excited for him to be a Riverhead Blue Wave.”

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“You know what they say about retirement,” Wiederkehr said matter of factly. “It’s the second to last stage in life. I just wasn’t ready for that yet. I feel like I still have more to give.”

Wiederkehr wasn’t exactly looking for work but, when he was told of a leadership position in Riverhead, a place he knew very well after raising his family in Wading River, it gave him a new purpose in life. After a few interviews, Wiederkehr was named as interim director of health, physical education and athletics for Riverhead Central School District, taking over a post former athletic director Brian Sacks held for almost a decade.

“Any chance I have at influencing the lives of young students and helping them excel really excites me,” Wiederkehr said. “I know this town has a rich history in sports. I remember all the championship football teams here. I know what sports means to this town. And what excites me the most is that we’ve already turned the page here. We’re starting to compete in every sport again. My job is to continue to foster that growth. But what attracted me the most here was the new superintendent, Bob Hagan, and his vision for Riverhead. He truly wants the best for this place and wants the best people around him to make it that way.”

Though football runs in Wiederkehr’s blood, he’s coached just about every sport as he raised his three kids and has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career. After his playing years came to an end, which featured big time Division I football for Syracuse University and a season in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wiederkehr was offered a job as a teacher in the Babylon school district that also included an assistant coaching position for the varsity football team. 

After a retirement opened up the head coaching position a year later, Wiederkehr was offered the job and never looked back. As the head coach of the Babylon High School football team, a position he held from 1987 to 2002, the Panthers won two Long Island Division IV championships, six Suffolk County titles and 10 league crowns. He then gave up coaching the team to spend more time raising and coaching his kids. He became an assistant coach at Shoreham-Wading River in 2014 to help his son, Ethan’s team. All the Wildcats did those years was win three Long Island championships in a row and two Rutgers trophies.

“I just wanted to be involved with my kid’s lives,” Wiederkehr said of leaving his position in Babylon. “That was the most important thing to me. But they’re all adults now, working great jobs and I still have more to give.”

Wiederkehr’s oldest daughter, Rachel, played Division I lacrosse at Ohio State University. Her younger sister played four years of lacrosse at the University of Mary Washington. Ethan went on to earn a full scholarship and play four years for Northwestern University as an offensive tackle.

Wiederkehr held multiple leadership positions over the years in his path to landing at Riverhead. In addition to being the president of the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association — a position he held for around 20 years — the former varsity football coach most recently was the interim athletic director at William Floyd School District for a year and a half.

“Being an Athletic Director offers an opportunity to help students across every sport,” Wiederkehr said. “It’s really a gratifying position that I don’t take lightly.”

Riverhead Athletic Club president Quinn Alexander knows Wiederkehr well and is super excited to see what he can bring to Riverhead athletics.

“Hans and I go way back,” Alexander said. “Oh God, I’m afraid to say this but I’ve known him for the better part of 30 years. My mother grew up in Babylon, so we crossed paths there. Then she started the girls lacrosse program at Shoreham-Wading River, and his daughters both went through that program, so we’ve got a big history together. Hans truly is a ‘What do you need?’ or a ‘How can I help?’ type of professional. He wants to honor tradition while also supporting the needs of his coaches and teachers in their goals.”

Though there may be an interim tag on his position for now, Wiederkehr refuses to act like it.

“When I hear ‘interim,’ it’s like you’re on the couch waiting for someone to take your spot,” Wiederkehr said. “That’s not me. I’m going to do everything I can to improve Riverhead sports while I have this position. I’m here from 8 [a.m.] to 8 [p.m.] every day. I’m going to be involved from top to bottom. I want to improve every student-athletes experience here at Riverhead. My job is to give them the tools to do so.”

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“I really loved my time here,” Sacks said. “I loved the community. I loved the coaches and the kids. I really think it’s a special and magical place. We went through COVID, we went through austerity with the budget cuts, we went through some ups and downs with the teams but I’m very happy and proud of the things I accomplished here. Whether it be adding new teams or adding new clubs or upgrading the facilities or hiring all the coaches we have now, it was part of a full body of work here at Riverhead. It’s bittersweet for sure.”

Athletes and teams the past two years in particular went to new heights — even historically significant heights — shattering school records and accomplishing things no team in Riverhead has accomplished before.

The softball team won their first Suffolk County championship in school history and won back-to-back league championships the past two years. They were the first team in Riverhead softball history to produce an undefeated league season.

Madison Marshak and Angelina Gust became the first Riverhead girls golfers to make it to the New York State championships. Colby Baran qualified for the New York Boys Golf Championships for two years in a row. The boys golf team has won five consecutive league titles.

The boys lacrosse team produced its best season in school history two years ago and won its first round playoff game. The boys basketball team made the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and won its first round playoff game as well.

Christopher Jones, Riverhead’s most decorated long distance runner in school history, walks away with five school records. Kayleanne Campbell, won multiple Suffolk County championships in the high jump and holds every school record relating to it.

Miiko Foster, a freshman, fought her way to become the first Suffolk County girls wrestling champion in school history. Riverhead baseball made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years and won a playoff game for the first time in 20 years. Matthew Zambriski threw the school’s first perfect game in school history this year.

“The coaches I hired are great people,” Sacks said. “They really led to the success here. I’m happy to have hired them, and they should hold their positions for many years to come regardless of what athletic director steps in after me.”

In short, things have turned around. The effects of cutting sports for a year as a result of the failed budget during the COVID era is now in the rear view mirror. Sacks led the charge in the rebuild.

“COVID was one thing because everyone was going through it,” Sacks said. “Everyone was in the same boat, so I [could] lean on other athletic directors at other schools to bounce ideas off of. The austerity year, the year after, that was the hard year. That was the year that our students didn’t have something that other students had. And because of losing sports, we lost a lot of our varsity student athletes and then siblings of those athletes as well. We had to play underclassman at the varsity level for years after that to simply field a team. So getting out of that was definitely one of my proudest accomplishments.”

Sacks was also able to bring in new sports and new teams over the years. There is now JV girls golf, JV girls tennis, JV boys tennis, middle school boys tennis, unified basketball and unified bowling. 

The future of Riverhead sports is bright. There’s nothing to rebuild anymore. But now a position needs to be filled. The school district hasn’t named a replacement, though many have put in for the job. Sacks will hold the position until July 15. 

“I think the next A.D. in Riverhead should be open to change and have a vision,” Sacks said. “Riverhead is an unbelievable place. Sports is the heartbeat of the area. The slogan of ‘We bleed blue’ is true and it’s real. I think the program is in a good spot. They just need someone to keep building what we have here.” 

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Board President James Scudder read a statement thanking Mr. Connelly for his time on the board, which included overseeing the district’s response to the COVID pandemic:

“On behalf of my colleagues on the board, I would like to thank Brian Connelly for his seven years of invaluable service to our community as a member of this Board of Education, and for his passion and commitment to the students of the Riverhead School District. He served through one of the most difficult times for all of us — the COVID pandemic — and his leadership during that time of president on this board, 
and his always steady and thoughtful consideration of the issues facing this board, have been instrumental in the district’s successful navigation of financial, educational and regional challenges over the past several years. 

“We know that Brian has been facing some personal issues, and that is the reason he decided to step down from the board in the middle of this — his third term as an elected board member. 

“Some questioned why the board did not act sooner regarding Brian’s board seat. In respect for Brian, his contributions to this board and the Riverhead community … we felt it was warranted and the right thing to do was to give Brian as much time as possible to make his decision. 

“We will now move forward, considering an appointment to fill Brian’s board seat until the end until the next trustee election, May 2026. Again, we want to thank Brian for his service to the students of the Riverhead School District and to the Riverhead community.”

Mr. Connelly’s profile was no longer on the BOE website as of June 11.

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Here is a breakdown of the votes, which propositions passed and who secured seats on the boards of education for both schools.

RIVERHEAD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Riverhead Central School District passed its $211.4 million budget for next year, with 1,004 voters in favor and 793 opposed. This is a roughly $9.9 million increase from the 2024-25 budget and a 4.95% hike that did not pierce the state tax cap. 

Remaining within the state’s 2% property tax levy cap allows for the preservation of all academic, athletic and arts programs, including fine arts and music, according to the RCSD budget newsletter.

Proposition No. 2 allocating $2.9 million for capital improvements, including kitchen and cafeteria renovations at both Riley Avenue and Phillips Avenue elementary schools, also passed with 1,188 yes votes and 590 opposed.

Almost half of the money for those projects will be taken from the district’s Cafeteria Capital Reserve Fund, while the remaining $1.9 million will be drawn from the unallocated cafeteria fund balance set in the budget.

The approved budget will aid in the expansion of the universal pre kindergarten program, known as UPK, and the elementary-level dual language program, as well as a new elementary level literacy coach. As part of a restructuring plan, three district administrative positions were eliminated, including the executive directors of elementary education, STEM and humanities. 

Current school board members Matthew Wallace and president James Scudder — who both ran unopposed — secured three-year terms for 2025-2028, with 1,272 total votes for Mr. Wallace and 1,193 for Mr. Scudder. There were 106 write-in ballots.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote today and make their voices heard. It is through the remarkable support of our community that we can provide the outstanding academics, athletics, arts and music programs that allow students to thrive and cultivate their talents and passions,” Mr. Scudder said. “These capital improvement projects, including kitchen renovations, enhance the experiences of our students as they learn and achieve each day.”

For more information on the Riverhead’s budget for next year, check out our previous coverage or visit tinyurl.com/RCSD2025-26Budget.

SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Shoreham-Wading Central School District passed its $89.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year with 513 total yes votes, 145 no votes. It is a nearly $1.1 million increase from the current school year’s spending plan and includes a 1.95% tax levy hike that will not pierce the state cap.

Proposition No. 2 for the expenditure of existing funds from the 2021 Capital Reserve Fund to finance district-wide projects passed with 513 votes, and Proposition No. 3 to establish a new capital reserve of $7.5 million at a probable 10-year term passed with 498 votes.

Meghan Tepfenhardt and Thomas Sheridan will remain on the SWR Board of Education for the 2025-2028 term, with 527 total votes for Ms. Tepfenhardt and 534 votes for Mr. Sheridan. There were 15 write-in ballots.

The budget proposal will align with the district’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, help maintain all SWR programs and current class sizes, and include additional funding for field trips and co-curricular, technology conferences, software and subscriptions, school officials said. Money is also allocated to replace 12 interactive Smartboards, add up to six contracted armed security guards and cover the $1.2 million in contract transportation costs, according to the district’s budget newsletter.

The hike in transportation expenses is due to the district’s plan to enter into a five-year agreement with First Student Inc. for roughly 65 passenger buses, almost 30 passenger vans, and to provide for athletic trips, field trips and summer transportation services. It is estimated the first year of the five-year agreement will cost $5.8 million, and will total $31.6 million in its entirety when the contract expires June 2030.

“[I really want] to congratulate us as a community. I think it really sends an awesome message to our district what we as a community want, and I just want to thank everyone for that support,” Mr. Sheridan said.

For more information on Shoreham-Wading River’s budget for the next academic year, read our previous reporting or visit tinyurl.com/SWR2025-26Budget.

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The school budget is broken down into five sections: General Support, Instruction, Transportation, Community Service and Undistributed Funds, which refers to employee benefits and debt service. Out of the $9.9 million increase, around $7.7 million is to be used for instruction, which includes general education, special education, athletics and summer school. 

The decision to remain within the state’s 2% property tax levy cap allows for the preservation of all academic, athletic and arts programs, including fine arts and music, according to the RCSD budget newsletter.

Last year, as the district readied for the 2024–25 budget vote, interim assistant superintendent Marianne Cartisano cautioned Board of Education members about a looming “fiscal cliff” in funding they were likely to face — a challenge many Long Island school districts braced for.

Despite the threat of $19 million in COVID-era aid running dry and elementary school staff cuts, multiple grants made it possible to rehire those teachers. This year, district officials said, they are committed to ensuring there will be no reductions to existing programs. 

“From the beginning, the direction from the [school] board was that we would not pierce the [tax] cap, which is to charge our community more money than what the formula allows,” Ms. Cartisano said. “We are very, very positive about that — this is a fiscally responsible plan for the community, and we’re asking for your support for this educational plan.” 

With a projected $86 million in expected state aid — a spike of more than $5 million over last year — as well as savings from retirements, district officials said they have been able to maximize resources to help offset rising costs for necessary expenses. 

Ms. Cartisano also confirmed at the May 6 budget hearing that there is no line in the budget that pays for former administrators who no longer work at the school district. She said there are “no salary payouts” or “legacy benefits,” such as health insurance or retirement payments, for these former district or building administrators.

There are plans to expand the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, known as UPK, and the elementary-level Dual Language program. The proposed budget also includes a new elementary level literacy coach. As part of a restructuring plan, three district administrative positions have been eliminated from this year’s budget, including the executive directors of elementary education, STEM and humanities. 

A proposition for capital improvements will also be on the ballot for the public vote, including kitchen and cafeteria renovations at both Riley Avenue and Phillips Avenue elementary schools, totaling $2.9 million. 

Almost half of the money for those projects will be taken from the district’s Cafeteria Capital Reserve Fund, while the remaining $1.9 million will be drawn from the unallocated cafeteria fund balance set in the 2025-26 proposed budget.

There are two open spots on Riverhead’s Board of Education this year, and the candidates running for these three-year terms are incumbents Matthew Wallace and board president James Scudder.

How, where and when to vote on the budget

The annual budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Riverhead High School gymnasium at 700 Harrison Ave. The district consolidated polling to just one location this year, citing safety and security concerns. Voters must be at least 18 years old, residents of the Riverhead Central School District and U.S. citizens registered to vote in Suffolk County. 

The last day to register to vote is Thursday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m at the District Office at 814 Harrison Ave., Riverhead. 

For more information on this year’s budget, visit www.riverhead.net.

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Mr. Hagan’s career in education spans 26 years on Long Island and he currently serves as assistant superintendent of human resources for the Longwood Central School District. He started in 1999, working as a social studies teacher for eight years before entering the administrative sphere as a secondary school assistant principal in the Port Jefferson School District in 2007.

His other administrative positions over the past two decades include assistant secondary administrator for instruction and administration in the William Floyd School District, as well as director of instruction and learning technology and principal of the Bonac Learning Center in the East Hampton School District. 

Mr. Hagan’s initial three-year contract runs through June 30, 2028. He will earn an annual salary of $260,000.

“Thank you so much for the warm welcome. It’s truly amazing,” Mr. Hagan said at the April 9 school board meeting. “It’s really just a privilege to be a part of this wonderful community, amazing team, certainly talking to some of the principals, the directors and some of the community members. It’s just truly an honor and I’m so humbled to be here.”

In a phone interview following his appointment, Mr. Hagan spoke about how his previous professional responsibilities have prepared him for the superintendent role. Through his experiences teaching, coaching, being an adviser and moving up to administrator and assistant superintendent positions in the last five years, he said one of the most important things he has learned is how people are “the absolute greatest asset” when it comes to education.

“From teachers to custodial staff, bus drivers, school monitors, teacher aides — just everybody moving in a common direction really is what gets the ball rolling and moving in a direction where children can be successful,” Mr. Hagan said. “I’ve learned to listen more and certainly realize, collectively, we’re going to be able to do this together in a collaborative way.”

Mr. Hagan said he has already gotten a great first impression of the school district this first week and has begun meeting with other administrators, faculty, staff and other members of the school community.

Over the next few months, he said, he hopes to listen and learn from as many people within the school district as possible to get a better understanding of their concerns and aspirations. He plans to continue to move forward with the foundation that interim superintendent Cheryl Pedisich and the current school administration have laid so far.

“Coming to Riverhead, for me, feels like you’re coming home,” Mr. Hagan said. “I just really want to be part of something that is greater than myself and certainly want to work as hard as I possibly can for the children and the community members.”

Ms. Pedisich took the top spot in the district in October 2023 after former superintendent Augustine Tornatore resigned. She was initially meant to serve in the role through June 30, 2024, while the district searched for a new full-time superintendent, but her contract was extended for another year.

Several people expressed their gratitude for Ms. Pedisich’s leadership and commitment to the Riverhead Central School District over the last few years. She said it has been “truly an honor” and a “rewarding experience” to serve the community.

School board president James Scudder expressed his excitement on behalf of the entire board to begin working with Mr. Hagan.

“We look forward to working alongside Dr. Hagan and engaging with the remarkable expertise and enthusiasm he will bring as we further cultivate Riverhead’s outstanding culture of achievement,” Mr. Scudder said. “We will continue to coordinate to ensure a seamless leadership transition.”

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