Trustees Approve District Safety Plan

Huntington School Board members held a public hearing on the district’s 2026/27 safety plan during an August 3 meeting of trustees in the Adam Spector Auditorium at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rubie Harris reviewed the plan during a short presentation. Director of School Safety and Security Jarrett Stein coordinated development of the plan, which is required by state law. A draft copy of Huntington UFSD’s safety plan was posted on the district’s website in advance of the public hearing to give residents an opportunity to review it and bring any questions to the meeting.

“Emergencies in schools must be addressed in a comprehensive, expeditious manner,” said Superintendent Beth McCoy in a policy statement included in the safety plan document. “As with any other institution, schools must be well prepared to address acts of violence, and natural and manmade disasters. In this regard, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) law. Project SAVE is an inclusive planning effort that focuses on prevention, response, and recovery with respect to a variety of emergencies that schools may encounter.”

Trustees appointed the following individuals as members of the District’s Safety Team:

• Beth McCoy: Superintendent of Schools and District Chief Emergency Officer

• Christopher Hender: Deputy Superintendent

• Rubie Harris: Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Management Services and Deputy Chief Emergency Officer

• Chuck Brady: Chief, Huntington Manor Fire Department

• Valerie Capitulo-Saide: Principal, Jefferson Primary School

• Youlanda Carey: Security Guard, Huntington High School

• Brittany Ciaramitaro, Suffolk Police, School Resource Officer

• John Colletta: District Physician

• Joelvy Delacruz: Suffolk Police School Resource Officer

• Christine DePetris: Teacher, Southdown Primary School

• William Dwyer: Member, Huntington School Board

• Allen Earle: District Safety Officer, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

• Elizabeth Flanagan: Reading Teacher, Woodhull Intermediate School

• James Hoops: Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics

• David Kaufman, Huntington Community First Aid Squad

• Katherine Khokhar: Nurse, J. Taylor Finley Middle School

• Brian Landers: District Network and Systems Administrator

• Yafit Lucas: Speech Therapist, Flower Hill Primary School

• Elisa McVeigh: Homeland Security Officer

• Donna Nugent: District Special Education Chair, K-6

• Richard Rouse: Director of Facilities

• Gamal Smith: Assistant Principal, Huntington High School

• Jarrett Stein: Director of School Safety and Security

• Jennifer Tullo: President, PTA Council

• Angela Whitfield: Teacher, J. Taylor Finley Middle School

• Ronald Wilson: Dean, Huntington High School

“School authorities have both a moral obligation and a legal responsibility to provide for protection of public property and life, and the health and property of students, faculty and staff,” said Mrs. McCoy in the policy statement accompanying the plan. “As such, the Huntington Union Free School District supports SAVE legislation and will continue to facilitate its implementation. As Superintendent of Schools, I encourage and advocate ongoing districtwide cooperation and support of Project SAVE. A district-wide safety plan has been developed to encompass each of our schools, as well as our administration building. This safety plan is comprehensive, concise, and specific. It is reviewed and updated annually, prior to the commencement of school in September. Any changes are provided to principals and reflected in building-level safety plans immediately. Appropriate staff training is also provided.”

The district’s safety team meets periodically to review aspects of Huntington UFSD’s plan. “The safety of our students and staff and the protection of our schools is paramount,” Mrs. McCoy said.