Freeport superintendent Fia Davis placed on 'administrative reassignment'

Freeport’s top school administrator — who was named superintendent just last summer — has been reassigned, the school board announced this week.

Fia Davis, who took over the school chiefs role following the retirement of longtime superintendent Kishore Kuncham, was placed on “administrative reassignment” to home with pay and benefits on Monday, according to a resolution board members adopted at a special meeting that night.

In a statement issued Wednesday, board members said the action “reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and accountability.” 

The statement did not give reasons for the superintendent’s reassignment.

Board members wrote they understand families will have questions and concerns over the announcement but said they are limited in what can be shared “due to legal and personnel privacy considerations.” They said in the statement “administrative reassignment is a neutral action and does not imply any wrongdoing.”

Deirdre Gilligan, a spokeswoman for the district, wrote in an email Friday the district has no further information to share. In a statement issued Saturday, the district said an interim superintendent is expected to be appointed at a special school board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School, 58 Seaman Ave.

Davis’ reassignment came two weeks after the board adopted the district's 2025-26 budget, which is to be voted on next month.

Her base salary for 2024-25 is $295,000, the district said. Her contract runs through June 30, 2028, according to the resolution appointing her.

Davis could not be reached Friday for comment.

The district welcomed Davis to Freeport last year and the board said in a statement at the time she “brings a wealth of experience,” citing her tenure as superintendent of Bronx High School Districts 8, 10 and 11 in New York City public schools since July 2022.

They noted she oversaw more than 20,000 students and under her leadership said her school system was “among the top five districts in the city for reducing chronic absenteeism,” a widespread problem affecting schools on Long Island and elsewhere.

Freeport is one of Nassau County’s largest school districts, with 6,500 students.

Davis earned a bachelor's degree in English and Africana Studies from the University at Albany and two master's degrees: one in secondary education from New York University and a second in educational administration from Pace University, according to the Freeport district.

By Dandan Zou

dandan.zou@newsday.com@DandanZou

Dandan Zou covers education for Newsday. Previously, she worked for a community newspaper in Maryland and a personal finance magazine in Washington, D.C.