Nyack School Trustees Part Ways With Superintendent

NYACK, NY — The Nyack Board of Education accepted superintendent Eudes Budhai's resignation June 30 after one year on the job.

They've put Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, in place as acting superintendent.

The trustees posted a statement:

To the Staff, Families and Community of Nyack Public Schools

After a difficult year that included an ongoing pandemic and other challenges, the Nyack Union Free School District Board of Education and Superintendent Eudes S. Budhai have mutually agreed to separate. Mr. Budhai has resigned from his position, effective June 30th, 2022. Mr. Budhai extends his appreciation to the students, staff and community and the Board wishes him well in his future endeavors.
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The Board remains fully committed to its mission of equity, innovation and optimism as district leadership prepares our staff and school community for the 2022-2023 school year.

Budhai replaced James Montesano, who retired after 10 years at the head of the district. The search for him took six months, from September 2020 to April 2021.

District leaders said they were looking for an experienced and collaborative educator, a visible and approachable listener and communicator, a dynamic and transparent decision maker, and a forward-thinking, courageous, and equity-focused leader. Budhai received a four-year contract with a base salary of $265,000.

Budhai had been superintendent of the Westbury school district on Long Island. He was praised for his work building family engagement and championing diversity, equity and inclusion. In the past year he found himself grappling with repeated racist slurs directed at Nyack athletes by students in neighboring Pearl River.