Abraham leaves with no explanation

By Jaime Thomas

Hartford Superintendent Thomas Abraham, who was slated to retire at the end of June, has left early, seemingly with no explanation.

“The Hartford Central School District Board of Education hereby acknowledges that Superintendent of Schools Thomas Abraham will take a leave of absence from his position effective Feb. 28 until the time of his retirement, June 30,” said James Dexter, district superintendent of WSWHE BOCES.

While Dexter said Abraham’s leaving was not expected at this time, he could not elaborate or provide any external or internal reason for the move.

Abraham, who had been in the position of superintendent for 20 years, said he could not comment at all on the matter when reached by phone on Monday.

Andrew Cook, the current high school principal, who was appointed in October to succeed Abraham as superintendent effective July 1, will now assume the role of acting superintendent.

Cook also said he was unable to comment on the situation.  He has been working with the district for six years now.

Dexter said Cook and the school board were already beginning the process of finding a replacement principal.

“They’re going to look for candidates to fill in for the position,” Dexter said. “In the short term I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

Abraham will continue to receive pay during his leave of absence, and his annual salary is about $116,000 according to The Post Star.