STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Robert Manisero is officially out as principal of Staten Island's scandal-weary Moore Catholic High School. The school's board of trustees, in an attempt to wipe the slate clean and start fresh, announced the appointment Wednesday of Dr. Joseph Fusco as principal, effective immediately. Manisero, whose resignation was announced last month by the board, was supposed to...
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Robert Manisero is officially out as principal of Staten Island's scandal-weary Moore Catholic High School.
Dr. Joseph Fusco is the new principal of Moore Catholic High School, effective April 1.The school's board of trustees, in an attempt to wipe the slate clean and start fresh, announced the appointment Wednesday of Dr. Joseph Fusco as principal, effective immediately.
Manisero, whose resignation was announced last month by the board, was supposed to stay on through the end of the school year, but was not in school Wednesday.
Sources told the Advance that the arrest of Manisero's secretary Camille Vadala, whom police picked up at the school last week, was the straw that led to his departure three months early. The secretary is accused of embezzling nearly $140,000 from a Midland Beach plumbing company where she previously had worked as a bookkeeper.
In a notification to parents that was sent out at dismissal Wednesday -- the last day of classes before the 10-day Easter break -- board chairman Anthony Ferreri described Manisero's replacement as "a seasoned, published, and highly regarded educator, who has extensive experience as a teacher and principal."
Dr. Fusco, who has a doctorate in education from New York University, served for 12 years as principal of Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, N.J., and is currently an adjunct professor at St. John's University, where he teaches classes in education administration and supervision.
"Dr. Fusco's record speaks for itself. We are fortunate to have someone with his experience, skills and leadership capabilities at the helm of this fine school," Ferreri said.
Ferreri, in the same notice to parents, said Manisero left the school "to pursue his first love and return to the classroom." He thanked Manisero "for his dedicated service to Moore and its students."
"We are grateful for his work. He will be missed."
Manisero's departure caps a tumultuous year for the 53-year-old co-educational Graniteville school, that saw the resignation of athletic director Richard Postiglione in November.
Postiglione, who also functioned as the school's chief financial operating officer, was athletic director during the time Megan Mahoney, a former gym teacher and basketball coach at the school, was allegedly having an affair with a 16-year-old student. Ms. Mahoney resigned from her position in January and is currently facing statutory rape charges.
Postiglione's resignation also triggered an archdiocesan audit of the school's finances.