WEBSTER, N.Y. — The superintendent of the Webster Central School District said he is retiring effective Friday, according to a district release Thursday. A separate letter was also sent to parents.

Carmen Gumina has worked in the district for more than 30 years. His retirement announcement comes days after a former teacher, Kali Watkins, filed a lawsuit against the school district, the Town of Webster and the Webster Police Department. Watkins, who is also a former basketball coach for the district, was arrested and charged after being accused of forcibly raping a 14-year-old girl in a school locker room in 2017. Watkins was acquitted of all charges in August 2019.

In court documents, Watkins alleges the investigation that led to his arrest was negligent, biased and incomplete. Watkins’ complaint also states he believes he was falsely arrested and subjected to public humiliation because of it.

Watkins also claims in the lawsuit that Gumina had a personal grudge against him.

(Kali Watkins)

"It has become clear to me over the last few months that this is the best decision for me, my family, and the district," Gumina said in the letter to parents on Thursday. The letter did not address Watkins’ allegations.

Watkins’ lawyer on Thursday said the former coach filed the lawsuit to “set the record straight and to reclaim his life.”

"We will not speculate about why the superintendent … decided to retire," Kamran F. Hashmi, of Rochester, said in a statement Thursday.

The district says current Deputy Superintendent Brian Neenan will serve as interim superintendent until a permanent replacement can be found.

The full lawsuit can be read below: