Peter Carucci leaves after nine months; search begins for replacement
By Chip Rowe
After nine months on the job, Haldane High School Principal Peter Carucci unexpectedly resigned for what Superintendent Diana Bowers said in a March 31 letter to parents and students were personal reasons.
“We are appreciative for the time he dedicated to Haldane High School,” she said.
Carucci, who earned $138,000 annually, wrote in an email that he was “heartbroken to leave the Haldane community,” but needed to “support the health and needs of my family at this time.” He will be on paid leave through June 30, Bowers said at the April 4 meeting of the Haldane School Board. “There is an agreement that we have that allows for some payment,” she said in response to a question from an audience member.
Bowers said the search for a new principal had begun with the placement of online advertisements, and that she had already received four resumes. She told the board she hoped to have a candidate for its consideration by late April or early May, for a July 1 start. In 2016, Carucci was one of three finalists among 50 applicants for the job.
Bowers said committees of students, faculty and community members were being formed to interview finalists after spring break, which begins April 10. Anyone interested in serving on a committee should email Linda Dearborn at [email protected].
For the remainder of the academic year, Bowers said she or Dean of Students Christopher Salumn will be at the high school at all times during the school day; the board on April 4 approved Middle School Principal Julia Sniffen as acting high school principal. “It’s unfortunate that this is the situation, but we will do whatever is in the best interest of our students,” Bowers said.
Before joining the Haldane staff in July, Carucci was assistant principal at Tuckahoe Middle School and High School in Eastchester. He succeeded Brian Alm, who left after nine years to become director of secondary teaching and learning with the Ossining Union Free School District.
