Freehold Twp Schools Mourn Principal Who Died Over Weekend

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Freehold Township School District is mourning the loss of Jeffrey Huguenin, principal of the Joseph Catena Elementary School, who died over the weekend, the district said.

The death of Huguenin, 46, a Howell resident since 2004, was announced in a letter from district Superintendent Neal Dickstein that was posted on the district's website Monday.

Schools were closed Monday for the Columbus Day holiday. The cause of death was not immediately released.

"I know that many of us in the school community will be greatly affected by his passing," Dickstein wrote. "I know you join me in sending kind thoughts and condolences to the Huguenin family, as well as to the other members of our school family who will be affected by Dr. Huguenin’s death."

He said counselors would be available at the school until 6 p.m. Monday, and in the days ahead to help students with grief they feel at Huguenin's death. The district also posted a document with information about talking to children about grief on the website.

"As a husband and a parent, my heart breaks for the Huguenin family. Dr. Huguenin’s loss will have a significant impact on the school community," Dickstein wrote.

Huguenin was in his seventh year as the principal at Catena Elementary School and had been an administrator for 15 years, according to a blog post on the school's website. He had a PhD from St. Peter's University.

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