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Friday, February 20, 2026
Vol. 3, No. 8
THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR
DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Grant projects announced at FPB Schools BY KASSARA MCELROY
The Sewanhaka District Festival Chorus performed at the District Music Festival on February 5th. See page 6.
Sewanhaka District's Careers Cafe connects students, businesses BY RIKKI MASSAND Local businesses and service providers will participate in an interactive event aimed at supporting both current students in their career paths and the local economy’s future. Lorraine Knoblauch is the work-based learning coordi-
nator for the Sewanhaka High School District, assisting and guiding Career and Technical Education students. Knoblauch detailed an upcoming “Careers Cafe” day, set for Tuesday morning, March 10th, featuring professions and careers aligned with Sewanhaka’s nine “path-
ways” – Career & Technical Education (CTE), including New York State-certified programs in which students earn licenses and certifications before or upon high school graduation. The program will run for two and a half hours that morning See page 2
The Floral Park Villager Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Telephone 516-931-0012 Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Floral Park Villager, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris, Publisher
Five new grant-funded projects are coming to Floral Park-Bellerose schools, district officials announced at the February Board of Education meeting. Representatives from the Floral Park Bellrose Education Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports educational opportunities across both district schools, presented a large ceremonial-style check while outlining the newly approved projects, intended to benefit “all students across both district buildings and all grade levels.” The projects focus on active math learning, life sciences, writing, and sensory enrichment, and were developed over the past year in collaboration with district administrators and staff. The meeting then turned to continued discussion of the first draft of the proposed 202627 budget. Christine Kim, assistant superintendent for business, kicked off the presentation by reminding the community that, “The budget remains a working document and will be
refined as updated state aid figures, enrollment projections, and staffing needs are finalized between now and the spring.” Approximately 70% of district funding comes from local sources, including the tax levy and payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), while about 24% comes from state aid. The remaining 6% is generated through other sources such as community services, health services, interest earnings, and fund balance. Kim addressed common misconceptions about New York State’s tax levy limit, explaining that the state does not impose a strict 2% tax cap but instead uses a formula that includes a 2% growth factor among other adjustments. If a proposed levy is at or below the calculated limit, the budget requires a simple majority vote to pass; if it exceeds the limit, a 60% supermajority is required. She also noted that an increase in the district’s tax levy does not necessarily result in an identical increase to an individual homeowner’s tax bill, as assessments and other municipal factors also influSee page 2
Club members offer role models to classes PAGE 4 Valentines for Veterans in FP Schools PAGE 3