The Board of Education has appointed Thomas Bongiovi to serve as interim superintendent of Catskill Central School District, starting August 1. Mr. Bongiovi replaces outgoing superintendent Ronel Cook, who departs Catskill July 29 to become superintendent of the Englewood Public School District in NJ.
“I look forward to working with the Board of Education, school staff, and community to continue to move Catskill Central School District forward,” Bongiovi said. “I’m very excited to be here at Catskill, to share my experience and mentor our teachers and staff, and assist with the District’s search for the next superintendent in any way I can.”
Bongiovi is a retired educator with extensive administrative experience who now provides interim services for schools. He was superintendent of the Highland Central School District from 2017-2021 and, before that, superintendent of the Port Jervis Central School District from 2013-2017.
He holds a School District Administrator Certificate from East Stroudsburg University, a School Administrator & Supervisor Professional Diploma from Dowling College, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from SUNY Stony Brook, and a Bachelor of Arts from LeMoyne College.
Bongiovi was inspired to become an educator by his older brother, who, at 16 years his senior, was an English teacher at his high school. “I was in his class my senior year and when I saw how much he enjoyed teaching it inspired me to become a teacher.”
He began his career as a high school social studies teacher on Long island, where he taught for 12 years, including nine for his alma mater, Seaford High School. Later, he served 17 years with the Port Jervis Central School District, where he advanced to high school assistant principal, middle and high school principal, assistant superintendent, and ultimately to the superintendency.
Born and raised on Long Island, Bongiovi now lives in the Poconos with his wife, who is an elementary school social worker. They have two children, who are both college graduates. He enjoys the outdoors, being on the water, and as a fitness enthusiast, starts his mornings at Planet Fitness. He is also a life-long runner who ran competitively in high school and college.
In July, Mr. Bongiovi will be working closely with Dr. Cook and Catskill’s administrative team to familiarize himself with the immediate and long-term needs of the District so that he can hit the ground running in August. Please join us in welcoming him to Catskill!