The Mahopac Board of Education began its 2026-27 term July 1 by swearing in new Superintendent (and Mahopac High School graduate) Vincent DiGrandi, seating newly elected trustees Lindsay DiCerbo, Joseph Catalli and Adam Savino to three-year terms, and selecting Christopher Harrigan and Lucy Massafra for board leadership positions.
DiGrandi takes over from Interim Superintendent Frank Miele, his former teacher and coach, and praised his predecessor.
“I thank Frank for leaving this place in such a good position,” DiGrandi said. “Nobody can outwork that man — he’s unbelievable.”
Harrigan was elected school board president by a 5-4 vote over Jennifer Travis at the Mahopac Central School District’s reorganization meeting. Massafra was elected vice president by the same margin, also over Travis.
Trustee Nicole Iacono nominated Harrigan, calling him “a strong and consistent voice in our district, both as a community member and in his role as a board trustee.”
“He has always shown respect and doesn’t allow outside noise to sway his reasoning,” Iacono said. “He takes the time to truly listen to all perspectives, asks thoughtful questions and makes decisions based on careful consideration and sound judgment.”
Harrigan said his two years on the board had given him a deeper understanding of the district, its educational system and the board’s role in supporting student success.
“I feel that one of my greatest strengths that I bring to this position is remaining calm and focused during difficult situations,” he said.
Harrigan faced controversy during the past school year after videos circulated showing him working in his capacity as a deportation officer for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While some both inside and outside the district called for his resignation, many community members and board trustees defended his right to remain on the board as a duly elected official.
In a Facebook post congratulating Harrigan on becoming president, former Trustee Tanner McCracken, a Republican running for Putnam County Legislature District 8, said Harrigan “genuinely cares about every student” in the district.
“Those protesting him because of his job occupation probably haven’t watched a single board meeting,” McCracken wrote. “If they had, they’d see a thoughtful public servant who listens to every perspective, finds common ground and has often helped bring the board to consensus.”
Harrigan said supervising a 12-person team and representing his agency in federal court have given him the leadership, communication and collaboration skills needed to lead the school board.
“That experience has reinforced the importance of listening, communicating and collaborating,” he said. “If elected board president, I will work to foster collaboration, maintain open communication and ensure that our board remains focused on providing the best opportunities for our students and being attentive to the needs of our community.”
Savino, a former school board president who returns to the board after a year away, nominated Travis for president, citing her background in education and conflict resolution. Travis said her priorities included supporting DiGrandi, improving board cooperation and communication, strengthening special education services, reviewing the district’s lunch program and increasing public understanding of the board’s role.
Harrigan received votes from Catalli, Iacono, Massafra and Kyle Potter, as well as his own. DiCerbo, Lisa Carway, Savino and Travis voted against him.
Harrigan then nominated Massafra for vice president, while Carway nominated Travis. Massafra was elected by the same 5-4 vote.
The board also approved a new meeting structure for the 2026-27 school year. The board will hold two official business meetings each month during the school year. While the first meeting of the month will be conducted as a work session, and the second will be a business meeting. Both may include votes on agenda items.
At the July 1 meeting, District Clerk Melody LaRocca said the new calendar will provide more time for departments to submit agenda items and allow committee meetings to be scheduled on intervening Thursdays. Agendas are expected to be reviewed by board leadership before being posted publicly on the Monday preceding each Thursday meeting.
The second meeting of each month is expected to include the district’s financial reports. Board members asked that the public be clearly notified that votes may now occur during work sessions.
In announcing the change, the district said the new structure is intended “to improve the efficiency of Board operations while continuing to uphold the Board’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.”
The district also noted that all Board of Education meetings “will remain open to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Law,” with notices and agendas continuing to be posted in advance to encourage public participation.
The Mahopac Board of Education is next set to meet on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The full meeting policy and the 2026-27 Board of Education meeting schedule are available on the Mahopac Central School District website through the District Clerk’s page.
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