Thursday, October 1, 2026
North Shore School District Superintendent Chris Zublionis has accepted the superintendent position in another district, North Shore announced Tuesday. Zublionis will begin at Plainedge Union Free School District on July 1. His last day at North Shore will be June 30.
Zublionis and Board of Education President Andrea Macari sent letters to the community on Tuesday informing parents and students. In his letter, Zublionis described leaving the district as “bittersweet” and expressed gratitude for having been a part of the North Shore community.
Tom Dolan has been chosen to serve as North Shore’s interim superintendent. He held the same position during the 2021-22 school year.
Macari said Tuesday that the board has begun engaging search firms. The nationwide search for a new superintendent will start once a firm is chosen. Macari said the board hopes to choose a firm by the end of June and intends to have a superintendent in place by July 1, 2027.
“I really look forward to engaging the community in a rigorous process,” Macari said, “to find our next superintendent.”
Before becoming superintendent in July 2022, Zublionis served as North Shore’s assistant superintendent for instruction since 2019. He also served as principal at Sea Cliff Elementary School and director of social studies at North Shore High School.
North Shore’s budget vote is scheduled for May 19, and Zublionis, administrators and the Board of Education will hold a series of budget talks ahead of the vote. Macari said she does not anticipate any disruptions in the budget process.
“This community has a long tradition of supporting our schools,” she said, “and, like every year, this will be a critical year for people to come out and vote.” Macari added that she does not expect the budget process 2027-28 to be impacted by the transition.
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Carol Ann Smyth will serve as interim superintendent starting July 1, until Dolan begins on July 20. James Pappas remains assistant superintendent for business.
“With each administration change, our core values, what makes us us is preserved,” Macari said, “and I am confident that this will be the same case again.”
Zublionis did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
