School district honors Flanders teen who delivered aunt’s baby, celebrates school board members: Oct. 15 wrap-up

The Riverhead Central School District last night honored the Flanders teen who helped his aunt deliver a baby.

Middle school student Miguel Dominguez, 13, of Flanders, delivered his aunt’s baby on Aug. 2 with assistance from the Southampton Police Department dispatcher. According to Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich, Miguel called the police and prepared a towel after his aunt went into labor. While a police officer was getting a medical bag from his car, Miguel delivered his baby cousin and wrapped him in a blanket, Pedisich said.

Miguel received a standing ovation and a certificate of recognition from the Riverhead Central School District at last night’s school board meeting, as his family and two-month-old baby cousin, Alex, watched on.

Pedisich said Miguel’s teachers describe him “as respectful and a responsible student who consistently shows compassion for others. Miguel’s calm demeanor, doing such a critical moment is a true testament to his character, demonstrating leadership, maturity and quick thinking beyond his years. It’s rare to see such poise in any situation, let alone one as intense as helping to deliver a baby,” she said.

“Miguel, you have made your family proud, and your actions have not only inspired your peers, but also impressed an entire community,” Pedisich said. “In the spirit of pride, you embody every value: being present in the moment, showing respect and care for your aunt, acting independently with maturity, embracing the diversity of experiences and truly empowering yourself and those around you. Miguel, you are a hero in every sense of the word and tonight, we are proud to honor you for your bravery and selflessness.”

School district officials also celebrated Riverhead school board members and District Clerk Dawn Bozuhoski during a ceremony for School Board Recognition Week. Students read biographies of the board members and Bozuhoski and thanked them for volunteering their leadership at the school district. (See photos below.)

Also during the Oct. 15 meeting, the school board:

• Honored high school senior Lesther Rivera, who was named a top 100 soccer player on Long Island by Newsday. Coach Evan Philcox said Rivera is “one of the most impressive athletes I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching for any sport that I’ve coached.” Rivera was not able to attend the meeting because of a work conflict, Philcox said.
• Approved the appointment of Dena Tishim to be assistant principal of Riverhead High School. She replaces Kellyann Parlato, who was appointed principal of the middle school. Tishim was a music teacher who took on a special assignment as the principal of the North Star Academy, the district’s alternative high school.
• Approved an agreement with the Riverhead Central Faculty Association to amend the salary schedule for members of the union negotiated for the 2025-26 school year. The schedule for the school year in the district’s collective bargaining agreement contained “incorrect salary amounts at various steps of the schedule, which do not align with the salary increases that were negotiated by the parties for the 2025-2026 school year,” according to the agreement.
• Approved a contract for universal pre-kindergarten services with Just Kids for the 2024-25 school year. The company has operated the UPK program for the district the last two school years. The district will pay the company the per student annual fee set by the New York State Education Department, which for the current school year is anticipated to be $10,000.
• Set the final tax levy amounts for the school district.
• Accepted the annual financial statements and independent auditors reports for the school district’s general fund and extraclassroom activity fund. 
• Approved a clinical affiliation agreement between he district and SUNY Stony Brook at no cost to the district for the school year to develop and establish a clinical education and training program for Stony Brook students in speech language pathology and athletic training.
• Approved the donation of games, books and toys to Aquebogue Elementary School from Karen Massoud; $250 to the Key Club for their Safe Halloween event from the RCFA; and $1,000 to the Interact Club from the Riverhead Rotary Club.