Mahopac Schools Super. Retires

By Holly Crocco

Mahopac Central School District residents expressed disappointment in the school board and administration’s apparent decision to buy out the remainder of Superintendent Christina Tona’s contract, and hire an interim leader until a new, permanent superintendent is selected.

“This is truly a bittersweet moment for me,” Tona said at the Aug. 5 Mahopac School Board meeting. “After 33 fulfilling years in education – as a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent, and for the past three years proud superintendent of the Mahopac Central School District – I am announcing my retirement effective Sept. 1, 2025, with a leave of absence beginning Thursday, Aug. 7.”

Tona said that when her contract was renewed in the spring of 2024, she fully expected to continue until June 2027 – and perhaps beyond, “but plans change.”

The board voted 5-3 to hire Frank Meile as interim superintendent, on a per diem basis at a rate of $1,200 a day, effective Aug. 7. Trustees Lisa Carway, Ben DiLullo, and Jennifer Travis voted against the motion.

Miele served for many years as the district’s athletic director, and served as an interim superintendent in 2021.

Residents who spoke at last week’s board meeting expressed concern and frustration over Tona’s departure.

“Without a question, she has been the most effective and most committed superintendent this district has had in many years,” said Kristin Fleming. “She is fair. She is approachable, transparent, and deeply invested in working collaboratively with teachers, families, and students to make Mahopac the best district it can be. Her leadership has brought much needed stability, accountability, and integrity to our schools.”

Fleming called the decision “ridiculous” and a “waste of taxpayer money” to be spend to buy Tona out of her contract, hire a headhunter, and pay an interim superintendent.

“Equally troubling is the lack of transparency around this decision,” she said. “What has happened that would warrant a decision like this? … She has always acted in the best interest of our students and families. She listens. She engages.”

Dara Berkwits, a librarian in the district, also said she is “deeply disappointed in the separation agreement.”

“This is a loss,” she said. “We are losing an exceptional leader. Someone who was chosen for this role because of her extensive experience in education, her proven leadership skills, and her ability to connect with students, staff, and families alike.”

Berkwits called Tona a lifelong educator who has consistently put children first.

“She didn’t just work here, she committed herself fully to the success of the district, and now via a separation agreement we are choosing – not being forced into – but choosing to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to remove her,” she said. “Our students deserve strong, experienced leadership at the top – the kind of leadership we are now choosing to walk away from.”

Tona said that during her time at Mahopac, she has had the privilege of working alongside “some of the most dedicated educators and staff members I have ever known, all of whom place the needs of our students at the center of every decision. Being part of this committed and compassionate community has been an incredible blessing,” she said.

The outgoing superintendent said she is proud of the work she helped the district accomplish over the past three years, under her leadership.

“With the best team of building and district administrators I have ever worked with, we kept a constant eye on our strategic plan,” she said. “And with execution by out talented faculty and staff, we improved safety and security across the district; expanded STEAM opportunities for all students; introduced new career pathways in business, health science, and education at the high school level; enhanced social-emotional supports; strengthened data-enforced instruction; and embraced the science of reading, to ensure every student is academically prepared for the future.”

Tona recognized the assistant superintendents for their leadership and commitment, and also thanked the leadership of local bargaining units for their professionalism, kindness, and respect when negotiating contracts.

“To our students: continue to work hard, be kind to each other, and as our mission statement encourages, stive to become educated, upstanding citizens with practical life skills and a readiness for the real world,” she said. “Watching you grow in our classroom, on our athletics fields, through your extracurricular pursuits, and right her on this stage has been one of the greatest joys of my career.”

Tona also thanked staff and community members who have supported her, “especially over the past few months… Your emails, notes, and kind words meant more to me that you know,” she said. “My husband and I look forward to remaining part of this beautiful community we call home.”

Following a standing ovation of community residents at last week’s meeting, School Board President Michael Mongon thanked Tona for her service to the district.

“On behalf of the board, we wish you the very, very best,” he said.