While Massapequa High was holding another successful commencement exercise, the normally quiet Massapequa School District burst into the news with its superintendent, Dr. Maureen Flaherty, being suspended and a deputy superintendent elevated to the top post.

At the Wednesday, June 20, meeting of the Massapequa School District, Deputy Superintendent Charles Sulc was appointed by the Board of Education to serve as Acting Superintendent of Schools, effective immediately.

Sulc is a 37-year veteran of the Massapequa School District who has served for the past 16 years as Assistant Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent.

He was appointed following the surprise and sudden suspension of Dr. Flaherty, an action that was also announced at the June 20 meeting.

"The board wishes to thank him [Sulc] for accepting this role, and we look forward to his stewardship in the best interests of our students, staff, and community," read a statement from the school district.

Concerning Dr. Flaherty's unforeseen suspension, the district statement added: "On the advice of counsel, the district cannot provide further comment, as this is a personnel matter. However, we wish to assure the community that this action is in no way associated with theft, child abuse, or sexual misconduct.

"We would like to thank our community in advance for understanding and respecting the sensitivity of this issue," the statement concluded.

Dr. Flaherty has served as superintendent of Massapequa since July 2005. She came to Massapequa from a similar post in Holmdel Township, NJ.