SCHOOL BUDGET RESULTS _______________ east meadow ______________
HERALD
xxx school district
√ PASSED 0 VOTES
For more school election results information, go to liherald.com/xxx
Dozens gather for flag folding
EMFD: Safely grill this summer
New plantings on Propsect Ave.
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Vol. 26 No. 21
MAY 21 - 27, 2026
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SCHOOL BUDGET RESULTS
East Meadow X FAILED budget passes xxx school district
0 VOTES Ricco-Simeone, Carl elected to second term
For more school electionlargely resultsbyinformation, rising costs for By JoRDAN VAlloNE go to liherald.com/xxx employee benefits, special edu-
jvallone@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Tickets ahead? Yes indeed! The Long Island Rail Road strike ended late on May 18, as five railroad unions settled contract negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Back on track: LIRR strike ends, easing commuters’ ride By BRiAN KAcHARABA & JoRDAN VAlloNE of the East Meadow Herald
The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after five unions and the Metropolitan Transpor tation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, officials announced at an evening news conference. U n i o n a n d M TA r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s announced the deal after negotiations resumed in the afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that had halted service and caused widespread travel disruptions across Long Island and in New York City. “We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.” Although East Meadow has no LIRR station of its own, residents were still affected by the strike — and relieved to see it end. Commuters shared they typically take the train from Westbury, Merrick, Bellmore or Hicksville. In a Facebook forum with the Herald, many shared they were planning to work from home, but for others, getting into Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens is essential for work or school. Some planned to drive or make it to a subway station in Jamaica either by car or bus. A fire late last week in the East River tunConTInued on pAge 8
cation, transpor tation and East Meadow School District insurance. Special education is voters approved a nearly $286.8 projected to rise by about $2.1 million budget for the 2026-27 million, insurance by roughly school year on Tuesday, while $2.6 million and transportation two incumbent Board of Educa- by about $1.28 million, accordtion trustees were re-elected in ing to a district presentation. an uncontested race. State aid is expected to The budget increase by about passed by a vote of $724,000, or 0.76 per1,279 to 436, accordcent, while Foundaing to results tion Aid is projectreleased by the dised to remain flat at trict. The spending $67.6 million. Uniplan represents a versal Pre-K fund$15.5 million, or 5.71 JESSicA ing is expected to percent, increase Ricco-SiMEoNE decline by more over the cur rent President, East than $430,000. year’s budget. Ricco-Simeone, a Meadow Board of Board President lifelong Salisbury Education Jessica Ricco-Simeresident and educaone and Trustee David Carl tor, and Carl, an East Meadow were both re-elected to new resident and attorney, were first three-year terms. Ricco-Sime- elected to the board in 2023. one received 1,115 votes, while Ahead of the election, RiccoCarl received 1,056 votes. Simeone expressed gratitude to The approved budget carries the East Meadow community a 2.86 percent tax levy increase, and spoke highly of district which remains within the dis- accomplishments during her trict’s allowable limit under the first term. “My work here is state’s tax cap formula. The levy not finished,” she said. will total about $166.1 million, The East Meadow Public an increase of roughly $4.6 mil- Library’s budget also passed by lion from the current year. a vote of 1,246 to 423. Library District officials said the trustee Monica Marotta was spending increase was driven elected with 1,160 votes.
M
y work here is not finished.