MIDDLETOWN –Superintendent Richard Del Moro unexpectedly announced his retirement after nearly 35 years with the Middletown School District at the Sept. 2 school board meeting, but the reason for his sudden departure is unclear.
Del Moro’s retirement — which will take effect on Oct. 7 — was unanimously approved by the Board of Education that evening.
During the meeting, Del Moro said he’d been “talking about this over the past week or so,” but did not provide an explanation for why his retirement came about so suddenly.
“I leave with fond memories of this district, and I will always speak highly of this district because you are a phenomenal community,” Del Moro said.
Del Moro was not available to speak with the Times Herald-Record during or after the Sept. 2 meeting.
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What we know:
- Del Moro’s retirement was publicly announced on Sept. 2 during a Board of Education meeting.
- Del Moro’s retirement announcement was not listed on the Sept. 2 school board meeting agenda.
- District spokesperson Kevin Witt confirmed that Del Moro’s retirement will take effect on Oct. 7.
- During the 2019-2020 school year, Del Moro earned a salary of $323,068, according to nydatabases.com.
- Del Moro joined the district in 1987, and since then has served as the principal of Truman Moon Elementary School and the Monhagen Middle School, director of secondary education, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and superintendent of schools.
- In recent weeks, district officials including Del Moro have come under fire by members of the community, students and staff who say the district mishandled reports of sexual misconduct by a non-instructional employee.
What we don’t know:
- Why did Del Moro suddenly decide to retire at the beginning of a school year?
- Who will become superintendent on Oct. 7?
- Will there be an interim superintendent before the district hires Del Moro’s permanent replacement?
- Has the district begun its search for Del Moro’s replacement? What is the procedure for hiring a new superintendent?
- Why was Del Moro’s retirement announcement not listed on the Sept. 2 Board of Education meeting agenda?
- When did Del Moro officially give the Board of Education notice of his retirement?
- Did Del Moro give the Board adequate notice of his retirement?