Schools
Rockland Community College Parts Ways With President Rapalo
Reached by Patch, a spokeswoman for the college said it would be 24-48 hours before officials had a statement.
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland Community College has parted ways with President Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo after 11 months on the job.
Reached by Patch, college spokeswoman Risa Hoag said Thursday afternoon she could not speak about Dr. Rápalo or any other officials. She said RCC would have a statement within 24-48 hours.
Dr. Rápalo began work July 1, 2023. SEE: Rockland Community College's New President Has Lofty, Specific Goals
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The college's Faculty Senate had called for his ouster in April over layoffs and other cost-cutting measures he had recommended.
Rapalo inherited an $8 million deficit which only came to light after his predecessor, Michael Bastone, left in 2022 after five years for a job in Ohio.
Find out what's happening in New Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
When RCC officials submitted their budget to county officials in the spring of 2023, no indication was given that there was an issue with their finances, a county spokesperson told Patch.
The worst-case scenario for the 2023-24 budget was a structural deficit of $3.4 million, the Board of Trustees said in October.
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