Freeport schools superintendent Kishore Kuncham announces retirement
Kishore Kuncham is retiring after 15 years leading the Freeport school district but will continue to hold leadership roles on several boards. Credit: Chris Ware
Kishore Kuncham, an advocate for public education, longtime leader in the Freeport school district and the first Indian American schools superintendent in the state, announced his retirement Monday after 30 years in the school system.
Kuncham, 65, announced his retirement will be effective Aug, 20. He has served as the district's superintendent for the past 15 years. Before that, he served as the district's deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent for business.
“It's time for me to pursue a different chapter in my life,” Kuncham said Monday. He lauded his staff, saying he appreciated the “wonderful, great supporting team who have been on this great journey with me for the past 30 years to make a huge difference for our students in Freeport.”
Kuncham's leadership has centered on nurturing a holistic learning environment beyond academics, focusing on the social and emotional growth of every student, district officials said. He introduced mindfulness, yoga and guided breathing practices into Freeport schools.
His honors include the Association of School Business Officials International Eagle Award, the Outstanding Superintendent of the Year Award from multiple organizations, the New York State PTA Distinguished Service Award and the Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award.
He said he plans to remain active in education reform and advocacy.
When he was named a BOCES honoree in 2013, the organization said that his leadership enabled the district to make “extraordinary strides in a relatively short period of time” especially in improving the graduate rate and district's bond rating.
James Widmer, deputy superintendent/chief operating officer for Nassau BOCES said Monday that Kuncham is a “champion of public education” who has done so much for the children of Freeport.
“He created a science research program, he improved the graduation rate, he works with policymakers. He is a great advocate for public education,” he said.
Board of Education President Maria Jordan-Awalom said “students have been the beneficiaries of [his] leadership and guidance.”
Maria Rianna, president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents, said, "Although we are happy for Kish as he is beginning this new chapter in his life, we will miss our friend and colleague. But more importantly, we are losing a great educator, leader and advocate for our students."
In addition to leading the district, he founded the Freeport Educational Foundation. He continues to hold board leadership roles in several organizations, such as Reform Educational Finance Inequities Today (REFIT) and New York Benefits for Educators and Student Trust (NYBEST). He's also on the board of United Way of Long Island, Island Harvest, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, and the Nassau Community College Foundation.
He received the prestigious Key Influencer Award and had the honor of flying with the Blue Angels on Memorial Day, 2022.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my 45-minute ride, being able to do every maneuver that could be done,” he said. “Life is like that — so many maneuvers and ups and down that we take.”
He is also listed among the state's highest paid educators and in 2022-23 earned $444,412, according to a Newsday database of educator salaries.
Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.