The Homecoming Day parade produced fun for everyone. (Darin Reed photo)
The Homecoming Day parade produced fun for everyone. (Darin Reed photo)

Huntington Superintendent Jim Polansky Retires

September 1, 2023

James W. Polansky is officially retiring at the close of business on Friday afternoon after a successful 12 year run as Huntington UFSD superintendent of schools. He’s the only school leader many current students, faculty and staff members have ever known.

Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky is retiring.

Mr. Polansky came to Huntington on July 1, 2011. His lengthy list of achievements includes establishing Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School in September 2013 and reinstituted a full-day district kindergarten program in September 2014 following a three year absence. Curriculum and facility enhancements have touched every grade and every building. Numerous cutting edge academic programs have been offered to students and the extracurricular and athletic programs have been enhanced, the latter with nine new varsity sports teams.

Known for his energy and enthusiasm, at the time of his appointment in Huntington Mr. Polansky had already enjoyed two-decades of earlier success as a teacher and administrator in Long Island schools.

“I am often asked about what has made me most proud during my years in Huntington,” Mr. Polansky said. “As an instructional leader, I have proudly witnessed our staff and students contribute to and demonstrate academic growth, as well as help foster significant curricular and extracurricular improvements. As a manager of district facilities and operations, I am proud of what we have done together to enhance the district’s fiscal health and improve our buildings and grounds. Among other things, we have reopened and redefined a school, worked through a superstorm and navigated a global pandemic. All told, however, it is the relationships I’ve forged with students, staff and families, and the outstanding educational team we have built that fill me with the greatest amount of pride.”

Huntington School Board members honored Mr. Polansky at this past Monday night’s meeting of the trustees. Members of the group waxed poetic about the retiring superintendent’s achievements and stated how much he would be missed.

“I have had the privilege of watching so many young children grow into confident young adults,” Mr. Polansky said. “They have served as my motivation and have routinely reminded me why I chose to become an educator.”

Mr. Polansky came to Huntington from the South Huntington School District where he worked as assistant superintendent for personnel and district services. He earlier served as assistant principal and principal of Walt Whitman High School. He was named New York State Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York/National Association of Secondary School Principals/Metropolitan Life in 2010 for his fine work “turning around” Walt Whitman High School.

I’ll say it one more time … I would not want to have done the work anywhere else. Huntington is a truly phenomenal place and will remain a part of me always.

James W. Polansky Huntington Superintendent (2011-2023)

A graduate of SUNY at Albany (BA cum laude), Mr. Polansky earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Hofstra University and an advanced graduate certificate in educational administration at Stony Brook University. He holds permanent teaching certificates in biology/general science, chemistry, Earth science, mathematics and business/distributive education.

Mr. Polansky most recently served as president of the Suffolk County School Superintendent’s Association. He will be continuing his service as a member of Section XI’s executive board.

Mr. Polansky began his career in education at Syosset High School, where he worked as a science teacher from September 1991 to January 2001. He coached wrestling, soccer, baseball and softball there and was the mentor/coach of Syosset's Envirothon science team.

After obtaining state administrative certification, Mr. Polansky served as the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District's K-12 director of science, a position he held from January 2001 to July 2002, when he became Walt Whitman's assistant principal.

His presence at nearly every event around the district in all eight schools will be missed this fall. He attended last Sunday afternoon Blue Devil marching band family show and was honored there.

Mr. Polansky’s plans for his retirement are still evolving, but one thing that’s certain is that Huntington will always remain near and dear to his heart.

“Decisions are not always easily made, but I have never taken for granted the trust and support provided to me by members of our school district community,” Mr. Polansky said. “I’ll say it one more time … I would not want to have done the work anywhere else. Huntington is a truly phenomenal place and will remain a part of me always.”