During the Aug. 6 meeting, the Center Moriches Board of Education accepted the resignation of superintendent Dr. Ronald Masera, effective at close of business that day. The board also appointed Dr. Ricardo Soto to serve as the interim superintendent of schools during that time.
Soto had previously been serving as the district’s assistant superintendent for student services, personnel and instructional technology.
“At this is a matter of personnel, the district is unable to comment on the matter further,” the district released in a statement.
Soto released a letter to the community noting that the district, board of education, and administration are “committed” to finding a “highly qualified” candidate as soon as possible.
“As I step into my new role as your interim superintendent, I am filled with immense excitement, humility, and gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated group of professionals in a committed school community,” his statement read. “This year, our focus will be on fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where each member of our learning community feels valued, acknowledged, and empowered. Together, we will work towards enhancing student outcomes, embracing new opportunities for growth, and addressing the challenges that lie ahead with resilience and creativity.”
Despite resigning for undisclosed, reasons Masera was given a payout of $282,366, which is the remaining value of his 2024-25 salary including vacation days, life insurance, and health insurance. The settlement pay will be made to him in two payments.
Masera originally took the superintendent position in 2019 and was contracted with the district until June 2025. According to the agreement, Masera and the district agreed it was in “mutual best interests to end their employment relationship.”
Masera could not be reached for comment; however, he posted on his personal X account about his retirement, which has since been removed.
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