Trustees Appoint Safety Team & Approve Plan

Huntington School Board members held a public hearing on the district’s 2025/26 safety plan during Monday night’s 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 Tuesday night’s 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.”

The plan provides for appointment of a school district safety team. Trustees appointed Mrs. McCoy, Christopher Hender (deputy superintendent), Dr. Rubie Harris (assistant superintendent for finance and management services), Chuck Brady (chief, Huntington Manor Fire Dept.), Valerie Capitulo-Saide (principal, Jefferson Primary School), Youlanda Carey (security guard, Huntington High School), Brittany Ciaramitaro (school resource officer, Suffolk Police Dept.), Dr. John Colletta (district physician), Christine DePetris (Southdown teacher), Allen Earle (district safety officer, Eastern Suffolk BOCES), Alexis Estrada (assistant principal, J. Taylor Finley Middle School), Elizabeth Flanagan (Woodhull teacher), James Hoops (director of health, physical education and athletics), Robert Jinks (school resource officer, Suffolk Police Dept.), David Kaufman (Huntington Community First Aid Squad), Katherine Khokhar (nurse, Finley Middle School), Brian Landers (district network and systems administrator), Christopher Lau (director, Huntington Public Safety Dept.), Yafit Lucas (Flower Hill speech therapist), Elisa McVeigh (Dept. of Homeland Security officer), Donna Nugent (Huntington High School teacher), Colleen Perfetto (PTA Council president), Richard Rouse (director of facilities), Gamal Smith (assistant principal, Huntington High School), Jarrett Stein (director of school safety and security), Jon Weston (Huntington School Board trustee), Angela Whitfield (Finley Middle School teacher) and Ronald E. Wilson (Huntington High School dean).

“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.”

Officials reviewed an early draft of the plan in June. It then was refined and finalized for this week’s public hearing.

“The safety of our students and staff and the protection of our schools is paramount,” said Mrs. McCoy in the policy statement. “Our plan has been developed and implemented accordingly.”