Classes are in Session in Huntington UFSD

The sun is rising over Huntington UFSD at it is opening its doors for classes on Tuesday. The district’s eight individual school buildings have been thoroughly cleaned and restocked with supplies during July and August. All classrooms are fully staffed.

Buses were rolling early this morning to begin their high school runs. Huntington Coach Corp. transportation service for the district is fully up and running as is the food service program’s breakfast and lunch services for students and staff in every building. All other services are also a go, including libraries and computer labs.

Club advisors have been appointed and high school teams have been practicing for several weeks. Teams at Finley will get underway this week.

Superintendent Beth McCoy and her administrative team have worked together over the past several weeks to smooth out any noticeable bumps in the road. But they also know some unforseen ones might become visible, whether they concern student schedules or bus issues. Officials said the district is ready to respond in short order to whatever needs to be adjusted.

Twenty-eight new faculty members have been appointed over the summer and countless support staff members have also joined the Huntington team. Thousands of boxes filled with supplies have been delivered to schools. Facilities staff members continued with last minute preparations throughout the weekend.

District officials were expected to fan out among all eight schools for the arrival of students, greeting those on every grade level as they get dropped off.

Huntington UFSD traces its long history to February 11, 1657 when the community hired its first school teacher. A one room school heated by wood was set up in the Village Green area. Since then the district has grown.

At the height of its enrollment in the mid-1970’s, about 9,000 students were attending classes in Huntington UFSD, which had three junior high schools: Robert L. Simpson, Robert K. Toaz and J. Taylor Finley. Simpson closed in 1976 with Toaz holding its last classes in June 1982. Enrollment decline also meant the closing of Woodbury Avenue School, Lincoln Elementary, Nathan Hale Elementary School, Village Green Elementary School and auxiliary facilities on Main Street, Broadway and in the village.

Today’s Huntington UFSD students are just as eager, enthusiastic and ingenious as those of yesteryear. They are excited to show off all their talents throughout 2024/25.

“We are expecting to have a really excellent year,” Mrs. McCoy said.