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Huntington school board swears in officers, approves slate of 2026–27 appointments and plans
Summary
At its July 7 reorganization meeting the Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education swore in officers and student representatives, approved legal and audit contracts, adopted annual policies and several curriculum and safety plans for 2026–27, and delegated routine authorizations to district administrators.
The Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education completed its annual reorganization on July 7, 2026, swearing in newly elected and returning trustees and student representatives and approving a wide slate of appointments, contracts and district plans for the 2026–27 school year.
President Theresa Sullivan and Vice President Annie McCallion were affirmed by the board and took their oaths; trustees Xavier Palasios and William Dwyer also were sworn in and the board welcomed ex officio student member Madeline Falk and alternate student member Nayeli Linares Gordado. "I, Theresa Sullivan, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of The United States and the constitution of the state of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of president of the Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education," Sullivan said during the oath.
On the superintendent's recommendation the board approved a long list of officer and administrative appointments for 2026–27. Kim Zelman was appointed district clerk and took the oath of office; Sarah Meehan was appointed deputy district clerk. Jill Miranda and Christine Lemon were named district treasurer and deputy treasurer, respectively. The board also designated building-level central treasurers, identified the asbestos designee and chemical hygiene officers, and named the district’s data protection officer and records-management contacts.
The board approved several professional services contracts and fee schedules. The meeting record shows an appointment of legal counsel listed as "Gurcio and Gurcio" with a retainer of $59,500 and specified hourly litigation and paralegal rates, and a separate labor-counsel retainer listed at $97,500 with a $295 hourly litigation rate for non-collective-bargaining matters. The board also named Naraki and Smith LLP as claims auditor at an annual fee of $37,500, Colin and Danowski LLP as external auditor at $52,000 per year, and Sereny and Associates LLP as internal auditor at $26,750 per year; each action was approved by voice vote.
Several district plans and policies were readopted or updated. The board readopted the district code of conduct (no material changes beyond updated school-year dates) and adopted the district chemical hygiene plan and the physical education plan. A district presenter summarized the chemical hygiene plan as "outlining the district's overarching plan for safety regarding chemical storage and maintenance," noting personnel updates and clarified response and retention protocols. The board also adopted the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) plan for 2026–27, which the presenter said emphasizes school-based intervention teams meeting three times per year and references programs such as Reveal mathematics and Civic Quest.
The board voted to grant the superintendent authority to transfer funds within the 2026–27 budget per commissioner regulations and district policy, to apply for and sign state and federal grant applications and reports, and to authorize the board president and district clerk to execute health-services contracts and tuition agreements as needed. The board adopted the list of religious holidays for state-aid computation, reaffirmed district investment and purchasing policies, approved participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, and set school meal prices for the coming year.
The meeting record includes minor procedural corrections: a revote clarified that Sarah Meehan is the records access officer and Kim Zelman the records management officer. The board adjourned the reorganization and took a 10-minute break before its regularly scheduled business meeting.
Votes at a glance: nominations and officer oaths (unanimous), appointment of district clerk/deputy clerk, treasurer/deputy treasurer (unanimous), legal and labor counsel retainer approvals (unanimous), claims/external/internal auditor appointments (unanimous), adoption of chemical hygiene, MTSS and school comprehensive plans (unanimous), reaffirmation of policies and authorizations (unanimous).
