Riverhead High School Principal To Resign Next Month

Riverhead High School Principal Charles Regan will be resigning from his position effective September 27.

At a School Board meeting on Tuesday, August 27, for the Riverhead Central School District, board members accepted his resignation in a 4-3 vote.

All disciplinary charges from the district will be dropped, as the assigned hearing officer loses jurisdiction as a result of the resignation.

Board members who voted against the action wanted to see the charges followed through; however, board members who voted in favor reassured them that the New York State Education Department will proceed by reviewing Mr. Regan’s educational certification and license.

Mr. Regan had been reassigned to his home in Quogue with pay since late April, shortly after a former student, Anastasia Stapon, accused him of sexually abusing her.

Ms. Stapon is now suing Mr. Regan, current and former administrators, and current and former School Board members in federal court. A complaint was filed by her attorney, John Ray of Ray, Mitev & Associates of Miller Place, on August 15 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

The principal was accused of sexual assault and statutory rape by another former female student about a month after Ms. Stapon went public with her claims.

The second student, who wishes to not be identified, was coached by Mr. Regan on the basketball team when he taught at Eastport-South Manor schools more than 15 years ago. She claimed that during that time he raped, sexually groomed and sexually assaulted her.

She is also represented by Mr. Ray, who said she plans to sue the Eastport-South Manor School District for $20 million.