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Morgano named Pearl Riverschools chiefPEARL RIVER — The Board of Education tapped theassistant superintendent Tuesday night to lead thePearl River school district.Board members Jackie Curtiss, Robert Davis andThomas DePrisco voted 3-0 to appoint John C.Morgano as the new superintendent of schools.He will start July 1 with a base salary of $249,000 aspart of a five-year contract.Morgano, a Goshen resident, will replaceSuperintendent Frank Auriemma, who announcedhis retirement at a Jan. 11 school board meting.Auriemma, who joined the district in 1987, hasserved as superintendent for the past eight years.registration and health services.Morgano takes over at a time when the schooldistrict is in transition. Like other districts inRockland County, Pearl River is facing cuts in stateaid and a tough budget season.The district also recently purchased the 4.6-acreAfrica Inland Mission property at 135 W. CrookedRoad for $4.4 million to move administrative officesand free up classroom space at the high school."The challenge for the next couple of years is goingto be maintaining our educational standards whenwe're likely going to have less resources," Morganosaid in a brief interview following the meeting.Board of Education President Michael Clohessy wasnot at the meeting, as was board member BruceBond.The Board of Education entered into negotiationswith Morgano two weeks ago. The five-memberschool board did not form a search committee orinterview other candidates to fill the position.Speaking before a room full of school officials andparents Tuesday night, Board of Education VicePresident Robert Davis said the board was proud tosee Morgano take over, and highlighted his workingexperience."During this time period John's contributionscouldn't be greater," Davis said. "I have fullconfidence that he is up to the challenge."Morgano received his bachelor's in historyeducation from the College of Staten Island, hismaster's in special education from State University ofNew York at New Paltz and a doctorate of educationin administration and supervision from New YorkUniversity in 1990.Morgano started his education career as a specialeducationteacher on Staten Island. His firstassistant-superintendent stint was in MinisinkValley Central School District in Orange County,where he worked beginning in 1995.He has served as assistant superintendent in PearlRiver since 2003, when Auriemma left the position.As assistant superintendent, Morgano oversees allpersonnel, curriculum and instruction, technology,special education, labor relations, centralPage 155 of 157