The incoming Class of 2022 numbering 375 students participated in an orientation program last week. School counselors helped iron out last minute scheduling issues for those on every grade level and facilities staff members put the final coat of polish on hallway floors as the clock ticked down to the first bell.
The summer months saw several building upgrades completed and many new faculty and staff members hired to fill posts vacated by those who have retired or moved on to other endeavors. Even in a high school that is so heavy with tradition, there is always something new afoot.
Huntington High School’s principal since July 1, 2015, Mr. Cusack earned a Bachelor of Arts in education at SUNY New Paltz in 1995 and a Master of Science in adolescent education/English 7-12 at CUNY Queens College in 2002. He obtained a professional diploma in school administration and supervision at CUNY-Queens College in 2005.
Mr. Cusack and his administrative team has been back on the job for several weeks attending to dozens of important details that are crucial to the building operating smoothly.
Prior to being named principal, Mr. Cusack served as Huntington High School’s assistant principal for three years. He earlier worked as an assistant principal at Hicksville High School for three years. Prior to that post, he was an administrative dean at Walt Whitman High School for four years. He was an English teacher at Freeport High School for eight years, where he taught Advanced Placement literature and theatre arts, served as a class advisor for four years, chaired the Middle States Committee on Educational Programs and produced school plays.
Assistant Principal Gamal Smith is also an integral part of Mr. Cusack’s building level administrative team. Department directors and chairs will continue to play a large role in the programs offered to students. Huntington strives to be a student-centered and student-friendly high school, catering to the needs of the teenagers who call it home.
Since 48 leading citizens came together in 1793 and pledged the funds needed to erect a school building devoted to providing the young people of the community with a classical high school education, Huntington has been on the cutting edge of classroom instruction and has been sending its graduates to the top colleges in the country and into every career field imaginable.
The Huntington Academy was a two-story structure with a belfry. It was built on a hill across the street from the Old First Church. The site is now occupied by Town Hall.
The New York State Legislature passed a law on April 13, 1857 authorizing creation of the Union School District of Huntington. The community gathered at a “special meeting” on September 7, 1857 and approved formation of the Union School District. It is said to have been the first district organized in the state for providing public education beyond eighth grade.
Huntington Academy was demolished in April 1858 and the Union School was erected over that same summer. It offered the young people of the community an educational program through twelfth grade. The building opened in November 1858 with Algernon S. Higgins as its first principal. He also taught most subjects. Enrollment totaled 220. The first class numbering six seniors was graduated in 1862.
Huntington High School's administrative team consists of Principal Brenden Cusack and Assistant Principals Dr. Lisette Lors and Gamal Smith.