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HERALD pOsT
Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge
Veterans column by Sal Polito
DiNapoli cautions about gift cards
FSD educator recognized
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VOL. 74 NO. 3
JANUARY 15-21, 2025
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MSD opts out of state plan By MIKE POLANSKY Correspondent
Tim Baker/Herald
NYS Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at the Long Island Association’s annual breakfast last week. See story on Page 11.
Local author pens another book Fourth mystery novel for Lois Schmitt By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com Massapequa author Lois Schmitt has released “Bearly Evident,” the fourth book in her Kristy Farrell Mystery series. Schmitt combines her love of mystery and animals in the story, which she says will captivate readers as they uncover the motive behind the murder. “Bearly Evident” follows wildlife reporter Kristy Farrell as she stumbles upon a body at Happy Place Animal Sanctuary. Five sanctuary
employees emerge as suspects, each with powerful motives for committing the crime. As with her previous books, Schmitt includes a subplot— this one involving her mother’s best friend becoming a victim of a pyramid scam, which ties into the main mystery. The story also features a detective who tries to undermine Kristy’s investigation, as well as wild animals escaping the sanctuary. Schmitt describes the Cozy Mystery genre as one in which the main character, often an amaCONTINUED ON PAGE 4
The Massapequa Board of Education has opted out of New York State’s newly introduced school regionalization plan, citing concerns over local control. On Dec. 9, the New York State Department of Education amended its regulations to allow local districts to withdraw from the process of developing the plan. The Massapequa School District, which had expressed opposition to the plan earlier, immediately exercised its right to opt out. At its Dec. 12 meeting, the board passed a resolution declaring its decision to “exercise its right not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan or in any aspect of the regionalization plan.” The resolution also directed Superintendent of Schools William Brennan to notify the State Education Department’s Office of Education Policy. The board’s decision reflects its strong stance against any initiative that could undermine local control or lead to the redistribution of taxpayer funds to other districts. The resolution emphasized the importance of maintaining full control over district operations, calling it “paramount to the Massapequa community, our students, and our schools.”
Despite opting out of the development process, board members remain uncertain whether the district can refuse to implement a regionalization plan if one is finalized. Board Vice President Jeanine Caramore expressed concern about the ambiguity surrounding this issue. “There is a very marked difference between the ability to opt out of the planning process and the ability to opt out of the eventual plan,” Caramore said. “The issue is still real and it’s still out there hanging over our heads.” Board President Kerry Wachter echoed those concerns, questioning whether the state would back down from its original stance. She emphasized that under current regulations, districts must comply with the final plan, regardless of their participation in its creation. “It’s clear that the State Education Department has a plan, and they are sticking to it,” Wachter said. “We must continue raising awareness and pushing back collectively to ensure local voices are heard and that our communities retain the ability to make decisions that best suit their needs.” Wachter also voiced support for legislative efforts like the Our Schools, Our Rules Act, introduced by Senators Jack CONTINUED ON PAGE 4