The recent stories in the Riverhead News-Review regarding the retirement of school administrator Joe Ogeka opens a whole bunch of questions regarding the Riverhead Schools administration. The initial story, as I understood it, was the question of why Mr. Ogeka, having signed on for a 3 year contract would suddenly opt to resign early instead, but still collect one additional year of salary presumably to help "in the transition of his duties" to others who would assume the duties.
The agreement to implement the retirement pay structure was formulated by school legal advisers and signed by School Board President Ann Cotten-Degrasse in approval. When questioned regarding the monies to pay Mr. Ogeka the additional year, Ms Degrasse suggested that it had something to do with payment of sick leave but then deferred to Superintendent Nancy Carney for a better explanation.
This could have been chalked up to a remarkably clumsy piece of administration that was almost missed in the heat of summer. What makes this an important story for every parent with children in district schools or property owners forking over 50-60% of their annual tax bill to the school budget are the eye opening reader comments to the News-Review article suggesting there is more to this story than meets the eye. The reader comments suggest the whole gamut of impropriety. Suggest you read the News-Review article and comments for yourself. http://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2013/08/47387/retired-riverhead-school-admin-joe-ogeka-paid-through-june-2014/
Wouldn't you agree (after reading the referenced article and comments) that this Riverhead Schools administration and board need to be transparent about these comments or have an independent authority conduct a review to clear the air?
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