Huntington Schools Name Assistant Superintendent

There's a new face at the table at Huntington school board meetings.

The Board of Education appointed Sammy Gergis the assistant superintendent for business, effective July 1, replacing David H. Grackin, who retired in June.

Multiple candidates were considered for the job.

“Mr. Gergis is exceptionally knowledgeable of school finances and clearly possesses an eye for detail,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “He understands the difficulties attributed to the current financial climate, as well as the importance of looking for every possible cost economy. I am genuinely looking forward to his joining us in Huntington.”

He had been the assistant business manager in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, a post he has held since June 2008. He earned an undergraduate degree in economics at Boston University in 2001 and a Master of Arts degree in foundations of education at Hofstra University in 2006.

 Gergis had worked for Amerada Hess Corp. as a commodities analyst from July 2001 to April 2003. He was a financial analyst/controller at Morgan Stanley from April 2003 to April 2004. In September 2004 he became assistant dean of undergraduate admissions at Hofstra University. In November 2006 was named assistant dean of new student support services at Hofstra and became the university’s assistant dean of undergraduate advisement in June 2007.

 Gergis is studying for a Doctor of Education degree in educational and policy leadership at Hofstra. He earned a certificate of advanced study in school district business leadership in May 2008.

Grackin came to the Huntington School District in 1997. He earlier worked as a math teacher at Sachem High School North for eight years before serving in a variety of administrative capacities in Sachem, including, summer enrichment program coordinator, secondary computer liaison, assistant director of data processing, treasurer of both the district and the Sachem Public Library and finally as business administrator for four years.