Carmen Gumina to receive $166,000 from Webster Central School District

The money is being used to settle a dispute involving the former superintendent and his sudden resignation

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Webster, NY - Carmen Gumina, who resigned from his position as the superintendent of the Webster Central School District back in April, will receive $166,000 from the district in a settlement agreement resolving a pending dispute and potential litigation surrounding Gumina’s sudden resignation.

Former Webster Superintendent Carmen Gumina

The Webster Board of Education (BOE) approved the settlement agreement at a July 21 special meeting. The agreement will give Gumina a lump sum of $156,000, with an additional $10,000 in cashed-out vacation time and retiree health benefits.

Although Gumina did not give the district adequate notice of his departure (nor did he provide an official letter of resignation, according to the BOE), the board has waived its contractual right to collect $22,000.

Gumina abruptly announced his retirement effective April 29 only days after Kali Watkins, a former WCSD teacher and coach, filed a lawsuit against the district and town officials for child sex abuse allegations previously made against him. Back in August 2019, Watkins was exonerated from any criminal charges.

Watkins alleged that he was targeted because he and Gumina shared a sexual relationship with the same woman.

Brian Neenan, the district’s deputy superintendent and the assistant superintendent for instruction, was chosen to serve as the interim superintendent of Webster schools following Gumina’s departure.