Christopher Zublionis named new Plainedge schools superintendent
Christopher R. Zublionis has been appointed Plainedge schools superintendent. Credit: Plainedge School District
A new Plainedge schools superintendent has been appointed, nearly eight months after its former schools chief abruptly departed.
The school board announced on Tuesday that Christopher R. Zublionis will be the district’s new permanent superintendent starting this summer.
Zublionis, currently the North Shore Central School District superintendent, will replace Carol F. Muscarella, who was appointed to lead the district on an interim basis this past fall.
School board president Joseph Beyrouty said in a statement Wednesday that the search process included input from all collective bargaining units and the community through digital surveys and multiple forums. The board appointed District Wise Search Consultants, a Woodbury-based firm, to assist.
"Dr. Zublionis checked all of the boxes," Beyrouty said. "He brings nearly three decades of experience, most recently as superintendent of a similarly-sized district. In every conversation, it was clear to the board that he was a thoroughly decent person who shared similar values to the Plainedge community."
Zublionis did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
His contract will run from July 2026 through June 2031, the school board announced at a meeting on Tuesday. His annual salary was not available.
Before serving as North Shore Central’s superintendent, Zublionis was that district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
He had previously been a social studies teacher, baseball coach and union building representative in the West Babylon and Syosset schools before moving into administration as director of social studies and a building principal in the North Shore district, according to a letter sent to the Plainedge community announcing his appointment.
The Plainedge district serves about 2,800 students.
Zublionis will be the district's first permanent school leader since Edward A. Salina Jr., a 14-year veteran in the post, abruptly left in September.
The district was required to pay Salina more than $900,000 following his departure for unused sick and vacation time as well as the balance of his salary, Newsday previously reported. Officials said the payout was "contractual."
Officials at the time declined to say why Salina left.
Muscarella, a retired principal of the district's John H. West Elementary School, took over after his departure.
