Superintendent Gagliardi steps down

SHRUB OAK, N.Y. — Lakeland Schools Superintendent Karen Gagliardi is stepping down.  

The Board of Education passed a resolution during a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 11 accepting her “resignation for the purpose of retirement.” The move was not expected, and no reason for her departure was provided.  

Gagliardi, the first woman to lead the district, joined Lakeland in 2003. She served as assistant principal at Lincoln-Titus Elementary School, co-principal of George Washington Elementary School, and principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. She later served as president of the Association of Lakeland Administrators before joining the central office in 2019 as assistant superintendent for instruction, where she oversaw curriculum and instructional leadership across the district. 

The school board appointed Joseph Mosey as interim superintendent. Mosey has served as the district’s assistant superintendent of human for the past three years.  

On Aug. 13, Halston Media reached out to Gagliardi; the district’s Director of Communications; Board of Education Trustee Adam Kaufman; and Mosey, who is serving in the interim role until a new Superintendent of Schools is appointed. Requests for comment were not returned.

No video recording of the special meeting is posted on the district’s website. The board is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m. at the district’s Administration Building.

This story was updated on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 12:15 p.m.