Updated: New Storm Threat Keeps Schools Shut

Schools in the Huntington and South Huntington districts will remain closed Wednesday because of new transportation concerns.

South Huntington school superintendent Dr. David Bennardo and Huntington superintendent James W. Polansky both said that Wednesday's expected nor'easter could create a hazard for children returning home at the end of the school day.

"In light of the fact that there are trees and lines in our area already weakened by the recent hurricane, we have determined that it is potentially unsafe for children to be out during the day and for our buses to be on the road," Polansky said.

Bennardo said the district had worked to prepare for the schools to reopen Wednesday. South Huntington's situation is complicated by damage to Whitman's roof affecting 16 classrooms and other space, necessitating multiple room changes. (See the list below).

"As frustrating as this is, we have no choice but to close at this time," Bennardo said. "We are asking that faculty and staff report for a modified conference day at 8:30 a.m."

Brendan Clifford of Huntington Coach said, "Our concern is, that while LIPA and the tree crews have been doing an outstanding job working round the clock, they have still managed to Band-aid only the most serious of the road hazards.

"Everywhere you look, there are still trees and utility poles in precarious positions. The timing of the incoming storm would undoubtedly cause some of these to turn into dangerous situations, right when we would be trying to get the children home. While all concerned are anxious to get back to normalcy, the safety of the children is by far the paramount concern for all, and many districts have made the determination that the risk is too great. Huntington Coach agrees with that analysis and supports their decision," he said.

Huntington also noted the cancellation of several events this week:

• All elementary (K-6) conferences this week, daytime and evening, will be canceled. Once we resume, there will be full days of instruction for grade 1-6 students.
• The Finley and Huntington High School marking periods and report card distributions will be extended/delayed for one week. The marking period will now end on Friday, November 16. Report cards will be distributed and posted on the portal on or about Tuesday, Nov. 27.
• Athletic playoff contests scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed by Section XI. New dates will be announced.

Polansky also said both Huntington High School and  Flower Hill Primary School (currently fully powered by generator) will be open as warming/charging sites from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m.

Whitman reassignments when school reopens Thursday:

RM #

MOVES TO RM#

TEACHERS

103

504

M. MOCCIA

105

506

T. BAKER

105

506

K. DEVITO

105

506

K. GOLDMAN (ST.HALL)

105

506

R. VINCENTI

201

105

N. HAZAN

201

105

R. MIRANDA

202

CHORUS ROOM

C. LABELLA

203

103

G. AHLSEN

203

103

K. MCENROE

204

N. FACULTY

M. SAMEDY

205

508

J. DAVIDSOHN

205

508

G. NOBLETT

206

S. FACULTY

R. CONROY

206

S. FACULTY

J. ZALEWSKI

207

405

1. COLAPINTO

207

405

T. MINELLA

207

405

K. DEVITO

207

405

R. JAFFE

207

405

J. ZALEWSKI

208

620

K. MAHONEY

208

620

J. BEATON

208

620

L. GUILFOY

208

620

K. LUNDQUIST

209

213

                       C. SCHARPF

209

213

S. BARLEV

209

213

L. AUGIER (ST.HALL)

210

LIBRARY (LEFT)

1. ORTIZ

211

LIBRARY (RIGHT)

C. SCHUBERT

211

LIBRARY (RIGHT)

C. QUINLAN

212

301

P. JOHNSON

212

301

M. GURAL

212

301

L. CARMAN