Mahopac Names New Schools Superintendent

MAHOPAC, NY — The Mahopac Board of Education named Christine A. Tona, currently an assistant superintendent on Long Island, to head the 4,800-student district in Putnam County.

Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo announced his retirement last year after taking a short medical leave of absence in 2021 just before students returned to in-person school for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic. He had been under increasing pressure from parents who wanted schools to open sooner. Pressure continued from parents who opposed mask mandates.

He and the district also received national attention when Tatiana Ibrahim, the name Mahopac resident Tanya Brahimi uses in her role as an activist, accused the district of indoctrinating students by teaching critical race theory and by following New York State's diversity, equity and inclusion initiative.

DiCarlo, a local resident, had been superintendent since 2018 under a 5-year-contract, coming from New Rochelle where he had been an elementary school principal. He replaced Dennis Creedon, who came to the district in 2015 after a difficult search process and left at the end of a 3-year contract with no future plans.

Tona, Riverhead's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, will take the reins as Superintendent of Mahopac schools beginning July 1, the school trustees announced Thursday.

Tona said she was attracted to Mahopac Central School District by its success, initiatives and commitment to meeting the needs of all students.

“From the moment I stepped into Mahopac, I felt the warmth and respect from the community and the shared desire to do what is right for students,” Tona said.

Board of Education President Michael Mongon praised Tona for her leadership in Riverhead.

"Christine stepped into the Interim Superintendent role in Riverhead in the midst of the COVID crisis in July 2020 and never missed a beat," Mongon said in the announcement. "She led the district through the crisis, advanced programming and engaged the community throughout. We are thrilled to welcome her to Mahopac.”

During her nearly six-year tenure in Riverhead, Tona secured laptops for all students, provided professional development for teachers, promoted diversity, equity and inclusion, maintained partnerships with local organizations and launched the creation of a district strategic plan, Mahopac officials said.

On the subject of diversity, equity and inclusion, Tona said: “DEI is not just about the color of skin or language spoken. It is about making sure that every student has access regardless of where they are on the educational spectrum or what challenges they may face in their education to be successful.”

In Riverhead, Tona said she partnered with the community, looked at data on educational outcomes and improved curriculum to meet all student needs over time. As she begins her tenure in Mahopac, Tona said she would focus the first year on getting out into the district, meeting students, parents and community members and listening to their hopes and priorities.

Throughout her career, Tona said, she took great pleasure in watching students grow and get to know them as she advanced from classroom teacher to building leader to district leader. “I’m very excited to get to know the families and students of Mahopac as they move through the district,” she said.

A graduate of Adelphi University, Tona holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in reading, and a professional diploma in education administration from Dowling College. Prior to her work in Riverhead, she worked in the West Babylon Union Free School District for sixteen years. She served as executive director for curriculum and instruction for four years, was a building principal for 11 years at Forest Avenue Elementary and was coordinator of Mathematics, K-8, for a year. Before that, Tona was a classroom teacher for nine years.