Christian Bowen Appointed Huntington Superintendent of Schools

Huntington School Board members voted unanimously to appoint Christian Bowen as superintendent of schools, effective September 2. Trustees took the action during a public meeting on Tuesday night at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.

Mr. Bowen will assume the position upon the retirement of longtime Superintendent James W. Polansky, who is leaving his post at the close of business on September 1 after 12 years.

Huntington UFSD’s new superintendent is currently the Valley Stream Central High School District’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, a position he has held for the past four years. He previously served as that district’s director of instructional services.

Mr. Bowen will serve as Huntington UFSD’s deputy superintendent from August 15 to September 1. During that period he will work with Mr. Polansky and transition into his new role as superintendent.

“We are excited to announce that after an extensive search, hours of interviewing candidates and pouring over resumes that Christian Bowen has been selected as our next superintendent,” Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios said.

Mr. Bowen was a lead math teacher, programmer and data specialist at the School for International Studies in Brooklyn from September 2003 to June 2012. He moved into the administrative ranks as Rocky Point’s coordinator of mathematics and instructional data and later as Plainview-Old Bethpage’s district-wide mathematics chairperson.

Mr. Bowen holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Science degree from The Johns Hopkins University and Master of Science in Adolescent Education and Master of Science in School Leadership degrees, both from Pace University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in transformational leadership at Long Island University.

“I’m thrilled to be the next superintendent of schools in Huntington,” Mr. Bowen said. “I want to thank Mr. Polansky for his stewardship over the past 12 years and hope I can use my vast experiences to continue moving Huntington UFSD to the next level.”

A graduate of Carle Place High School, Mr. Bowen resides in Massapequa with his wife and two sons.