Twenty years in Freeport Schools

Dr. Kishore Kuncham reflects on his tenure

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Loyalty and longevity – these are the ideals that have helped to shape Dr. Kishore Kuncham’s tenure at Freeport Schools.

Dr. Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport Schools, recently celebrated his 20 years in the school district. It has been a long and winding road, a journey with many twists and turns, but one that has been “very gratifying and fulfilling,” said Kuncham.

The year was 1994. Kuncham arrived on Freeport School district’s doorstep at a pivotal time. The district was in serious disarray. There was a fiscal deficit; the bond rating was next to junk status, residents’ trust in the district was at a low point, and the taxpayers had defeated the budget. The graduation rate was very low.

“It was like a tsunami,” Kuncham said. “We had a $2.7 million deficit and no reserves. We had to reverse the circumstances quickly.” He used his background in banking and finance to turn the district around. The first thing he did was to challenge Moody’s bond rating by putting together an action plan that included a new leadership team.

In 1995 the district was able to begin its steady march toward success, beginning with the creation of a fund balance. The bond rating began to soar and by 2005-2006 the Freeport School District had an AA bond rating by Standard & Poors, one of only a handful of the 700 school districts in the state with this rating. It was also the year Kuncham became Assistant Superintendent of Business for Freeport Schools.

The Freeport School boards supported Kuncham’s efforts. “We have had great people on our boards; they always knew how to overcome adversity and thrive, even in difficult times,” he said. “We knew it was about mission, vision and drive. We needed to be action oriented and focus on best outcomes.”
“It can truly be said that over the past two decades, Dr. K has been the chief architect of the organization,” said Michael Pomerico, then current school board president. “His vision and leadership have brought the district through some extraordinarily difficult times, and we are grateful.”

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