Schools are Open in Huntington UFSD

Classes are back in session in Huntington UFSD. All eight school buildings are opening on Wednesday as 4,400 students flood classrooms for what everyone involved expects to be another great year in one of the oldest school districts in New York State.

This week’s school opening continues an unbroken line stretching back more than three centuries. A few years after the town was settled a group of community members came together to hire Jonas Holdsworth as the first school teacher in Huntington. Given a four year contract, he commenced class on February 11, 1657 in a private home. Huntington UFSD traces its origins to that day more than 366 years ago.

Few communities in the country can match such a long association with public education. Teachers and school officials have come and gone, but classes continued without interruption. The first public schoolhouse was erected in 1660. Precise records are sparse, although there is documentation that Robert Macbeth was hired to teach in 1713 and Samuel Plum was retained in 1728.

At a town meeting on May 3, 1763, six men were “chosen to provide a master and take care of the new school house,” according to a written record that still exists. In essence, this was Huntington’s first school board. It is believed that the school building was located in the area of East Street or along today’s Park Avenue.

Today’s Huntington School District is strong in every possible way. Buildings have been modernized and filled with all the equipment and supplies required to provide the young people of the community with an exceptional education and overall memorable experience.

New Superintendent Christian Bowen leads Huntington UFSD into the new school year. Buildings have been spruced up over the summer. A new turf athletic field is nearing completion at the high school. Lights will be installed later this year to allow for evening activities. The high school auditorium has been enhanced with the stage refinished and new flooring in the orchestra pit area.

The faculty ranks have been replenished with the hiring of 34 new teachers. Several new administrators are joining Mr. Bowen while a few more remain to be hired.

Rooms have been thoroughly cleaned; hallways polished; painting projects completed; new technology equipment delivered and all the little things that make for a good educational experience put in place.

Principals and PTA organizations are already planning special events to keep the school year fun. Mr. Bowen is looking forward to spending time in each of the eight buildings and getting to know students and teachers.

The district is also strong financially, with a total debt that has dropped well below $1. It will be completely extinguished in less than three years, providing Huntington UFSD with flexibility and helping to keep taxes as low as possible.

As the new year gets underway in earnest, students have a spring in their step. It’s an exciting time in Huntington UFSD and today’s students and teachers make their mark in the history of one of the state’s oldest districts.