School District Taps Pedisich as New Superintendent

Following a multi-year search for a new permanent superintendent, the Three Village Central School District is now looking to one of its own for stable leadership.

The school board on Tuesday voted unanimously to appoint Cheryl Pedisich, currently the assistant superintendent for education, curriculum, instruction and pupil personnel services, to the position of superintendent effective July 1, 2012.

"This task has taken on a critical importance ... as we've sort of been tackling this task for what seems like several years," board president John Diviney said. "...Cheryl's attributes align with our district mission and she represents I believe in many cases the best of what we aspire to in our district, and how we want to be envisioned."

Pedisich was named deputy superintendent through the conclusion of the 2011-2012 school year, which interim superintendent Neil Lederer said will facilitate Pedisich's seamless transition into her new role.

She has been with the school district 28 years, first joining the district as a guidance counselor at Ward Melville High School – a day Pedisich described as one of the most wonderful days of her life.

"It started a great journey," she said. "I have that same feeling tonight. ... It is with great enthusiasm and dedication that I look forward to this new role, and working collaboratively with the community to support the excellence that is synonymous with our district."

Pedisich's contract is a three-year contract at a starting salary of $220,000, with second- and third-year base salaries to be determined at a later date.

Diviney said the pool of external candidates was not significantly different from the pool the district looked at nine months ago and 15 months ago, from which no suitable candidate for a permanent appointment had emerged.

"The more we looked, the more it made sense to [appoint Pedisich]," he said.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.