The only negative thing any of the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District’s building administrators had to say about the opening day of the 2026-27 school year was O’Neill High School Principal Dr. Michael Curtain noting that a poorly timed “torrential downpour” at dismissal on day one got everyone wet.

Superintendent Michael McElduff said he’d take that one incident over a host of things that could have gone wrong.

“The first day back was fantastic,” McElduff said at a Board of Education meeting held the evening of the second day of school. “There was lots of excitement, some nervous energy, but there is really nothing better than seeing students, faculty and staff back together again.”

McElduff thanked all who worked together through the summer to get the buildings and classrooms ready for the new school year to start, including those in the Buildings & Grounds Department, the principals and guidance counselors, the office staffs, the teachers who did curriculum work, and others. “We are off to a great start, and are looking forward to a successful year.”
Board Vice President Gabe O’Connell and member Kristen O’Dell also both commented on what they saw as “smooth” first days in the various buidings, with O’Dell adding that all three of her children “came home very happy” on day one.

Fort Montgomery Elementary School Principal Alexandra Hansen called her school’s first couple of days “great” noting that there were likely more tears from parents dropping off students than from students themselves. Highland Falls Intermediate School Principal Charles Femia, who said he and his staff were hosting grade level assemblies all week, called the first few days “very positive” and added that “when the kids are in the building the vibe changes immediately”.

Curtain – despite lamenting the rain – said everything went smoothly at O’Neill over the first few days, as did the annual new student/freshman orientation the week prior. He, too, was meeting with students in grade level assemblies that first week.

Director of Pupil Personnel Services Beth Hordines spoke about the pleasure of seeing students back in the schools, and said her office is using new software this year which she believes will help families.

Finally, Athletic Director Brooks Alexander noted that the district has close to 230 student athletes this fall, with JV and varsity contests already underway and modified sports due to start soon. He thanked the board for being supportive of the athletic programs, and invited all to the September 10 Remembrance Bowl on the Waldo Wood Field at O’Neill. “We expect a very large turnout,” he said, noting that players would be meeting with the founder of the national program funding the game, and adding that custom made jerseys for all of the players (from both O’Neill and Beacon) had just been received. “It’s going to be quite the event,” he said.

In other business from the meeting:

- The meeting began with a moment of silence for Highland Falls High School alumni Dick Hall. Hall, the father of teachers and coaches Ken and Kelly Hall, and a long-time security employee of the school district, died recently. He was a fixture at high school sporting events. “There is no doubt he had a positive, lasting impact in our school district and its students lives,” Board Vice President Gabe O’Connell said. “He provided support and encouragement to tens of thousands of students over the years.”

- Board member Monique Wolf said that she had received her first meeting of the Orange County School Board Association, representing the HF-FMCSD, and found members very welcoming and the meeting informative. She said a round-table discussion on challenges facing area school districts took place.

- Hired were a school social worker (Kimberly Lynch), special education teacher (Anne Greenberg), school nurse (Lindsey Liebes), part-time special education teacher (Christie Shields-Pla), long-term substitute teacher (Jenna Martin), courier (Scott Lewis), modified football coach (Ryan Erbe), school monitors (Tanya Solan and Ghania Laoubi), and substitute school nurse (Emily Campbell). Resignations from Ruth Sandoval Urrutia (PPS secretary), Pamela Luna (monitor) and Janael Chertok (speech pathologist) were accepted.