Former Wantagh Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carl Bonuso is returning to his old district in an interim role.

Dr. Bonuso was approved by the Board of Education Wednesday night to serve as Wantagh’s interim superintendent effective Feb. 29. Bonuso will replace Dr. Richard Marsh, who is resigning his position as interim superintendent on Feb. 28 for personal health reasons. Bonuso previously served as Wantagh superintendent for 10 years until his retirement in June 2009.

“Wantagh has always been my second family,” said Bonuso, who spent a total of 36 years in the district. “It’s always great to come home.”

Since retirement two and half years ago, Bonuso has stayed active in education circles. The Setauket resident has served as an education consultant and an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University and Dowling College.  

Prior to approving Bonuso’s appointment, the school board voted to accept the resignation of Marsh, who had been tapped as Wantagh’s interim superintendent last September. Marsh arrived in Wantagh following the resignation of superintendent Dr. Lydia Begley, who to took a newly created administrative post at Nassau BOCES. Marsh had previously been a longtime superintendent in the Bethpage School District.

“The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Marsh for leading the Wantagh School District during this time of administrative transition,” said Board of Education president William Russack in a statement moments after approving the resignation during Wednesday's meeting at Wantagh High School. 

The Wantagh Board of Education is working with executive search firm School Leadership, LLC to help with its selection for a permanent new superintendent. The firm held a community input meeting with Wantagh residents and met with various stakeholders in the district in mid January. Russack said the school board hopes to begin interviews for the superintendent position by mid March.