REYNOLDS SCHOOLS Superintendent quits 2 years early

The past year was marred by an investigation into Cagno's administration and lawsuits filed by district employees.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
TRANSFER, Pa. -- Dr. Charles M. Cagno is ending his sometimes turbulent term as head of Reynolds School District two years early.
Cagno, who was given a four-year contract when he was hired effective July 6, 1999, submitted his retirement resignation to the school board Wednesday.
The board accepted it without comment, but later issued a terse news release saying it appreciated his years of service and congratulated him on his retirement, wishing him well in future endeavors.
The release also said the district has agreed to cover 75 percent of Cagno's health insurance premium until he is eligible for Medicare or takes another job and 100 percent of his life insurance premium until that policy is paid up.
Stipulated: Those benefits are a part of his contract, said Atty. Mark Longietti, school board solicitor.
Cagno, 59, will leave the district June 30 of this year, leaving two years in his term.
Longietti said the resignation wasn't on the board's regular agenda but was announced after the board interrupted its meeting for a brief executive session for a personnel matter.
When the board returned, President Ralph Jones said an item had been added to the agenda -- Cagno's intent to retire, Longietti said.
Cagno was out of the district attending a conference Thursday and today and was unavailable for comment.
This school year has been trying for Cagno, with a state auditor general's investigation showing he improperly took school district property and vehicles for his personal use.
The school board reacted to the state findings by giving Cagno a five-day suspension without pay in October.
The issue didn't end there.
More controversy: Two administrators, a principal and a guidance counselor filed suit against Cagno and the board, alleging Cagno improperly retaliated against them by demoting them because he believed they had instigated the auditor general's investigation.
That case was settled in January, but another suit, this one filed against Cagno and the board by teacher and football coach Roger Shoaff in February, accused Cagno of violating the state's whistleblower law by retaliating against him for launching the auditor general's probe.
Shoaff said he was removed as coach for notifying the auditor general's office of alleged mismanagement and wrongdoing by Cagno.
That suit is still pending in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.
Longietti said the board, which includes Maddox Stokes, the man Cagno replaced as superintendent, has not yet discussed finding a new superintendent.