Giani Leaving Huntington for Superintendent Post
He's worked in the Huntington School District for his entire professional career, but Joseph Giani is excited to be "turning the page" after being appointed South Country superintendent of schools. The district is located in eastern Suffolk.
A 1976 graduate of Huntington High School, Dr. Giani joined Huntington's faculty in 1981 as a physical education teacher, leading regular and adaptive classes on the K-12 level. In 1986 he assumed additional duties as department chairperson for physical education and interscholastic athletics. He became the district director of health, physical education, athletics and driver education in 1988, a post he held until July 2001 when he was appointed assistant superintendent for personnel and general administration.
Dr. Giani will assume his new position on July 20. The South Country district is about 16 square miles in size. Located in southern Brookhaven, the district encompasses parts of Medford, East Patchogue, Yaphank, North Bellport and the Village of Bellport. School buildings include one pre-K through third grade school, two grades K-3 buildings, a grades 4-5 intermediate school, a grades 6-8 middle school and Bellport High School. The district's budget for 2013/14 is $118.7 million.
"I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I will be leaving my position here in Huntington and have accepted a new position in the South Country Central School District as their superintendent," Mr. Giani wrote in an e-mail sent to Huntington faculty and staff members. "I have enjoyed and appreciated having the opportunity to have worked with each of you. While I will miss my Huntington family, I am looking forward to my new position and turning the page to begin a new chapter in my professional career."
"It has been a pleasure to get to know Joe, both professionally and personally," Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. "He leaves his legacy in Huntington and has been a tremendous help to me during the past two years. I wish him well in South Country and look forward to continuing our professional relationship on a different level."
Dr. Giani obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a concentration in sports administration at SUNY College at Brockport in 1981. He was an NCAA wrestling champion and three-time all-American while in college. A member of the SUNY Brockport Athletic Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Division III Hall of Fame, he captained Brockport's 1980 national championship team.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Dr. Giani earned a Master of Arts degree in physical education at Adelphi University in 1982 and a Professional Diploma in educational administration at Long Island University–C.W. Post College in 1986. He was awarded a Doctorate of Education degree by Dowling College.
In his e-mail to district faculty and staff members, Dr. Giani said that he has had a "hand in hiring more than 60 percent of our current 1000-plus employees." He has worked in the central office under Superintendents John J. Finello and Mr. Polansky.
Dr. Giani has also served as an athletic coach in Huntington. He was a member of the high school wrestling staff for seven seasons and worked with the junior varsity boys' and girls' tennis teams for five years. While coaching the Blue Devil wrestling team, Huntington won three consecutive Section XI team titles and was among the best teams in the nation. He received several Coach-of-the Year awards and was nominated for National Assistant Coach-of-the-Year.
Dr. Giani has served as principal of the Western Suffolk BOCES regional summer school for many years and as Section XI wrestling chairman for 14 years. Under his leadership, Huntington won Athletic Management magazine's Award of Excellence in Student Programs.
An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Giani enjoys a range of recreational activities in his free time and especially enjoys being on or near the water or in the fields and woods of upstate New York.