Locust Valley parents call for answers after schools chief placed on leave

Parents of current and former Locust Valley Central school district students called for information Wednesday about the decision to place the district's superintendent on paid administrative leave for reasons that school officials have not made public.

About 150 people showed up at Locust Valley Intermediate School, many to support Superintendent Anna Hunderfund,  at the first school board meeting since the trustees unanimously voted to place her on leave last month.

Some questioned the actions of the school board during a public comment period following a closed executive session, with many demanding answers as to why Hunderfund was removed while officials review the case.

“What is the issue or issues that are at the center of this inquiry?” said Lori Souther, a member of the Coordinated Parents Council, which represents as many as five parent organizations in the district. “We understand this is a personnel action but what can you disclose?”

Before the public comment period began, School Board President Brian Nolan said members could not speak about Hunderfund at the meeting but, he added, “I can say that this board takes our fiduciary responsibility to this community seriously.”

Hunderfund has said she could not comment because of pending legal issues.

Finances were on  parent Amy Driscoll’s mind when she stepped up to the podium to ask how the district was going to fund the salaries of two superintendents, in addition to paying for the services of a law firm and a public relations firm.

“I’m asking how are you going to pay for this decision,” she said.

In Hunderfund’s place, school board members installed retired Hicksville schools superintendent Carl Bonuso at the helm of the 2,000-student district. It was unclear how much he was to be paid.

With an annual salary of $385,297, according to recent data supplied by the New York State Teachers Retirement System, Hunderfund is among the highest paid administrators on Long Island and New York State.

John Catalano, who has known Hunderfund for eight years as his sons were eduated in Locust Valley, said Hunderfund was the main driver behind his son’s success at becoming a finalist in the prestigious Regeneron science competition a few years ago. He called her an “exceptional leader” who had “created one of the finest school districts in the country.”