The North Allegheny School Board unanimously approved an agreement Wednesday night to release Raymond D. Gualtieri from his duties as district superintendent and grant him medical leave and a severance package before he retires.
“Dr. Gualtieri has indicated he is not sure when and if or when he will be able to continue his duties as superintendent,” said Tara Fisher, board president.
The board unanimously accepted Gualtieri's letter of resignation, and agreed to an undisclosed severance package and a medical leave of absence starting Wednesday through January 4, 2016.
Gualtieri started as superintendent of North Allegheny on Aug. 1, 2011 and was formerly a superintendent and administrator for East Hampton Union Free School District in East Hampton, N.Y. His departure nears the end of a five-year contract, which pays him $190,000 per year.
Robert J. Scherrer, the district's assistant superintendent of K-12 education and a former Pittsburgh Public Schools principal will serve as a substitute superintendent during Gualtieri's medical leave through January 4, 2016. Scherrer was hired in 2013 at a salary of $145,000, according to the district. If a new superintendent is not found by Jan. 4, the district will then appoint an acting superintendent, Fisher said.
The board credited Gualtieri with advancing classroom technology and implementing security measures in schools like protocols for visitor entrances. He helped set the district on a fiscally prudent path, said board member Maureen M. Grosheider.
“There was certainly a change in style and excitement in the district ... and I think that was good for everyone,” she said. “You saw people smiling in hallways and really eager to come in and do their work and he was responsible for a lot of that.”
Katelyn Ferral is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
