


Courtesy Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Technician Maria Lorusso, of Northwell Health, administered an ultrasound to Lynbrook High School senior Aidan Pearsall at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
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Courtesy Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Technician Maria Lorusso, of Northwell Health, administered an ultrasound to Lynbrook High School senior Aidan Pearsall at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
By KAYl A DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Lynbrook High School senior Aidan Pearsall is used to talking about his heart — but last week, he used his story to help teach the next generation of doctors.
Pearsall, 17, visited the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell on April 16, where he served as a living case study for first-year medical students studying congenital heart defects. They listened to his story and observed his heart through live ultrasound imaging.
Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped, Pearsall underwent three open-heart surgeries before he turned 3.
His mother, Shannan Pearsall, said that she and her husband, Nick, first learned of
the diagnosis during a routine 20-week scan, when most parents learn the gender of their baby, and were immediately faced with an impossible decision.
“We were given the option to terminate or carry to full term with no guarantees,” Shannan recalled. “The child we envisioned was no longer, and we had to imagine a completely different path.”
Aidan had his first open-heart surgery when he was 5 days old, and eventually there were two more procedures.
“We held our breath in those early years,” Shannan said. “We didn’t know if we were going to be the lucky ones who got to see our child grow up.”
But, she said, Aidan showed resilience from a young age — even during hospital stays. “As a toddler, he understood more than we expected,” she said. “He would hand fun

By KAYl A DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Concerns about a proposed elementary school realignment in the East Rockaway School District drew a large turnout at a Board of Education forum last week, as parents questioned both the logistics of the plan and how it has been communicated to the community.
W
The proposal, referred to as the Princeton Plan, would reorganize grade levels at the Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue schools beginning in the 2027-28 school year. District officials and administration emphasized that the plan remains tentative, and many residents said they are seeking clearer answers before a decision is made about it.
Superintendent James DeTomasso said the district was still gathering feedback on the plan. “We will not force the plan on the community,” DeTomasso said. “We are in this together, and are building a future for the district.”
Some parents said they had only learned about the proposal shortly before the April 16 forum, and that communication with the community had been limited.
e just want clear answers.
This impacts our kids, our daily lives and our community.
lIsA
BREuER East Rockaway
“The administration and Board of Education have been discussing this, and only recently shared information with the people it directly impacts,” one parent, Dawn Falbee, said. “What was presented didn’t clearly explain the benefits.” Falbee added that the meeting format limited discussion. “It was advertised as an open forum, but questions had to be submitted through a QR code,” she said. “That left many of us with more concerns than answers.”
“I love this school district and this town,” Falbee added. “But right now, I’m disappointed. I just hope the Board of Education and superintendent follow through on their promise that if the community is
CoNTiNued oN PAge 2
against this plan, it won’t move forward.”
Lisa Breuer, a parent of four children in the district, said that many residents were unaware of the plan. “They sent out one flier to current parents,” Breuer said. “What about the rest of the community? This affects everyone, especially taxpayers.”
In response, parents have launched their own outreach efforts, creating a Facebook group called “Our Schools, Our Voices, East Rockaway District, Realignment Forum” and sharing information through local organizations.
“Everyone who showed up that doesn’t have a student in the district right now — that’s because of us, not because of the district,” Breuer said.
Administrators said the proposal is intended to address enrollment imbalances and improve access to resources.
Sean Murray, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said class sizes could vary widely depending on where students live.
“Some students are in classes of 14, others are in classes of 24,” Murray said. “By balancing those classes, we can provide a more consistent learning experience.”
Officials also pointed to increased teacher collaboration and expanded social opportunities for students if
grade levels are consolidated.
Despite those potential benefits, many parents said that transportation remains one of their biggest concerns — particularly because the district does not provide busing for most students. Under the proposal, shuttle buses would run between Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue beginning as early as 7:30 a.m. and continuing through after-school activities.
Michael VanWart, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said the additional transportation would not be covered by state aid. “Any increase in transportation would fall on taxpayers,” VanWart said.
Parents questioned how the system would work in practice, especially for families with several children.
Ju st because it works in larger districts doesn’t mean it works here .
on hand at both schools, and that students using shuttles would be monitored. “There will be someone there every step of the way,” DeTomasso said. Still, parents raised additional concerns, including traffic congestion near Long Island Rail Road train crossings and the availability of crossing guards. “We already have heavy traffic because of the trains,” Breuer said. “Now you’re adding buses and more cars going back and forth.”
Some residents also questioned the data used to support the proposal.
“What does the day actually look like?” Breuer said. “We’re talking about dropping one child off at one school, another at a different school, and relying on shuttles for the rest.”
She also raised concerns about supervision for younger students. “My kindergartner would have to navigate multiple steps just to get to school,” Breuer said. “That’s a lot to ask of a 5-year-old.”
District officials said staff would be
Vincent Spano, a newer resident who previously lived in West Hempstead, said the presentation lacked clarity. “It’s not just the numbers — it’s how they were presented,” he said, adding that there were no clear projections for incoming class sizes.
Spano also raised concerns about infrastructure differences. “[Other] districts have major roadways that can handle traffic,” he said. “We don’t have that same setup here.”
Dana Casas, an East Rockaway parent, said the district’s small size is part of its appeal. “Just because it works in larger districts doesn’t mean it works here,” she said. “We chose East Rocka-




way because of the small-school environment.”
District officials said that duplicating certain programs in both buildings could cost up to $1 million for additional staffing. They also said the proposal could help distribute special-education services more efficiently, though some parents questioned whether cost savings were a primary factor.
“No one is against supporting special education,” Breuer said, “but we should be addressing that directly, not creating new challenges.”
The forum, which lasted nearly three hours, ended with some parents saying their questions remained unanswered.
While no vote has been scheduled on the reorganization proposal, district officials said they may revise aspects of the plan based on community feedback. “We may take parts of this plan and adjust them based on what we hear,” DeTomasso said.
For many parents, however, the process itself remains a concern. “We just want clear answers,” Breuer said. “This impacts our kids, our daily lives and our community.”
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 28, at the high school.
Have an opinion on East Rockaway’s proposed Princeton Plan? Send a letter to kdechter@liherald.com.





By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
The Lynbrook Diamond Club, a parent organization that partners with the high school baseball program, hosted a community fundraiser in support of Tristan Hollenstein, who experienced a medical issue earlier this year.
The event, now in its third year of supporting a team member or family, began with a baseball clinic for students in grades 2–8, where participants worked on skills alongside JV and varsity players. The day continued with a four-inning intersquad game, featuring varsity seniors against a combined team of juniors, sophomores and JV players.
“It was a beautiful Saturday, the community came and supported us,” said Shannan Pearsall, two-year Diamond Club member and now copresident. “We sold concessions, enjoyed the baseball, and the kids seemed to have a lot of fun.”







Each one of us experience countless injustices in the course of everyday living. Like other experiences, it is not the experience itself so much that counts, but how you process it. The Mayo Clinic addresses the health benefits of “forgiveness” which they define as “an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger”. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can lead to:
Everett Worthington, Profession Emeritus of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, provides a free workbook at for whom forgiveness may be difficult (most of
Recall: Recall the hurt. Look at the incident in an objective way and don’t try to push aside your feelings.
Empathize: Empathize with the offender without excusing the action or invalidating your own feelings. Maybe the person was having a bad day or was raised in dire circumstances.
forgiveness. Think about a time when you were rude or harsh, and recognize that everyone has shortcomings.
Commit: Make a decision to forgive. You can write a letter that you don’t send to help yourself make the commitment.
Hold:
how you react to those feelings will.
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned”

Lynbrook High School recently recognized 10 senior athletes who have officially committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The students gathered with family members, many wearing school gear, to celebrate the milestone.


































The seniors will go on to compete in a variety of sports at colleges and universities across the country. Those recognized included Colin Grimes (Eastern Connecticut State University, lacrosse), Paolo Palleschi (University of Bridgeport, baseball), Tyler Berke (Hartwick College, men’s lacrosse), Thomas Dunne (SUNY Oswego, lacrosse), Brandon Scala (Hartwick College, lacrosse), Sophie Deifel (Binghamton University, lacrosse), Blake Jaworowski (Union College, baseball), Gianna Mastrade (University of Alabama, crew), Molly Doran (Central Connecticut State University, swimming) and Leah Casolaro (University of South Carolina Aiken, soccer). The district extended its congratulations to the athletes and wished them continued success as they move on to the next level of competition.
— Kayla Dechter
Bethany Congregational Church is welcoming a new pastor.
A reception will follow the installation of The Reverend Prabhu Sigamani as the new pastor and teacher, starting at 3 p.m. on April 26.
The previous long-term pastor Rev. Mark Lukens retired in June 2023.
The reception will be in the Fellowship Hall, at 100 Main Street in East Rockaway.
Please R.S.V.P. at (516) 599-5768 or office@bethanycong.com.
— Kayla Dechter
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 265 E-mail: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com
stickers to the nurses because he knew they were there to help him.”
Growing up, Aidan was inspired by the doctors who cared for him. “He used to go to appointments in scrubs and a white coat because he wanted to be a doctor,” his mother recounted.
While his career goals have changed since then — he now plans to study business at Hofstra University in the fall — his connection to medicine remains strong.
Students need to recognize that a patient isn’t just a collection of symptoms — it’s an actual person.
Dr. robert Hill
Director of structural sciences, Zucker School of Medicine
Reflecting on the medical students he met, Aidan said, “If they end up becoming surgeons, what they do matters. It can affect a person’s life even after the short time you’re with them.”
He and his mother offered the students insight beyond textbooks and diagrams. “This isn’t just something they read about,” Shannan said. “Watching him tell them to involve the patient — that was really powerful.”
Dr. Robert Hill, director of structural sciences at the Zucker School, said that perspective is essential. “We want to teach our students not just the facts about anatomy, but how those facts apply when something goes wrong,” Hill said. “Seeing a live patient who has gone through these surgeries brings that to life.”

He added that sessions like this help students develop a more complete understanding of care. “A patient isn’t just a collection of symptoms,” Hill said. “It’s an actual person.”
Aidan also encouraged future doctors to speak directly to young patients. “They can talk to their patients,” he said. “If they’re old enough, they can answer for themselves.”
Despite limitations that prevented him from play-

Students Zachary evans, far left, and Silas StatenLusty joined dr. morris edelman and dr. matthew Lippman for a hands-on lesson on heart disease at the Zucker School of medicine at Hofstra/ northwell.
ing contact sports, Aidan found other ways to stay involved at Lynbrook High, including sports photography and leadership roles in the Key Club. Now, as he prepares for graduation, his story has come full circle — from a diagnosis filled with uncertainty to planning his future and helping train upcoming physicians.
“It’s incredible,” Shannan said. “We didn’t know if we’d get to celebrate his first birthday — and now we’re getting ready for his graduation.”

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ALREADY A TWO-TIME All-Conference selection, Webster appears well on her way to at least a third if not an All-County season. Heading into this week’s action, the Rocks’ fourth-year starting shortstop leads Nassau County in home runs with 6 and RBIs with 28 while batting .700 through nine games. Webster blasted a pair of homers against Baldwin on March 21 and repeated the accomplishment April 11 versus Freeport.
Thursday, April 23
Flag Football: Oceanside at East Rockaway 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Bell-Merrick at Massapequa 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 24
Softball: Clarke at Farmingdale 5 p.m.
Softball: Malverne at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Softball: North Shore at South Side 5 p.m.
Baseball:Calhoun at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Baseball: Elmont at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Boys Tennis: South Side at Hewlett 5 p.m.
Flag Football: East Meadow at Freeport 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Carey at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Clarke 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 25
Softball: Wantagh at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Softball: Hicksville at Long Beach 10 a.m.
Softball: West Hempstead at Lawrence 10 a.m.
Softball: Lynbrook at Freeport 10 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Herricks at Baldwin 11 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Roslyn at Long Beach 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: East Meadow at Oceanside 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at V.S. District 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Seaford 3 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Lynbrook vs Hewlett 6:30 p.m.
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
As if a rematch of last year’s Nassau Class C boys lacrosse playoff quarterfinal wasn’t enough to fire up Plainedge, a frustrating loss to Bethpage leading into last Friday’s trip to Lynbrook made for a defining moment at the season’s midway mark.
And the Red Devils delivered, getting hat tricks from Andrew Picardi and Dom Agovino, and some lockdown defense from Lucas Rizzo, Mateo Pallone and Mason Centonze on the way to a 10-6 victory over the Owls at Marion Street Elementary School. Brandon Scala had a fourth-quarter hat trick and junior goaltender Ethan Lunati made 14 saves for Lynbrook.
“We weren’t happy at all after the Bethpage game,” said Picardi, a senior who opened and closed the scoring in the bounce-back win as Plainedge evened its record at 4-4. “That loss beat us up a little bit as far as team morale, but we had no time to worry about it and knew we had to get right back to work today and get back on track,” he added.
The Red Devils, who knocked the Owls out of last year’s playoffs in a 12-11 thriller with Picardi netting the winning goal, never trailed in Friday’s rematch and scored six straight after Lynbrook’s Liam Gallagher’s goal midway through the second quarter tied it at 3.
“It was a tough game and you could see how bad both teams wanted it,” Plainedge coach Dan Achatz said. “Bottom line is we needed it from a confidence perspective. I think our guys were nervous knowing we just lost a game we’d all like to have back and going on the road against a good Lynbrook team would be another big test.”
The youthful Owls (4-4) were coming off a victory over Floral Park that snapped a three-game slide.
“We’ve got a really young team that’s working and improving every day,” Lynbrook coach Bill Luzzi said. “Today they were up to the task. We’re not disap -











had one
Plainedge.
pointed in the effort. Plainedge is a strong team. Ethan made some huge saves to keep us hanging around. We were in good spirits at halftime and tried to make some adjustments, but we didn’t get too many possessions in the second half.”
The Red Devils forced two shot-clock violations in the opening quarter and led 2-0 before Kaden Rogers got Lynbrook on the board. Rogers, along with fellow senior captains Scala and Tyler Berke are the Owls’ leaders, Luzzi noted. Plainedge answered Rogers’ tally just eight seconds later when Johnny Cynar







won the ensuing faceoff and raced the length of the field and scored for a 3-1 lead.
Casey Auer’s first of two goals put the visitors ahead for good with 2:56 remaining in the first half. Agovino’s second goal made it 5-3 at halftime, and he opened the scoring in a third quarter that saw the Owls fail to score. Brady Kelley also scored for Plainedge and junior goalie Jameson Smeltz had 8 saves.
“Our numbers are limited this year, but our kids are up to the challenge,” Achatz said.

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
As part of a statewide effort to address declining volunteer firefighter enrollment, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York launched its 17th annual RecruitNY campaign with a news conference and a live firefighting demonstration at the Melville Fire Department April 15.
The initiative comes as the number of volunteer firefighters across the state has dropped by roughly 33 percent over the past two decades, from about 120,000 in the early 2000s to 80,000 today — even as emergency calls continue to rise. Recent data compiled by FASNY shows a 16 percent increase in house fires and a 37 percent jump in overall fire calls over that time, putting added strain on departments.
“It is very important for all of our communities to understand that fire and rescue service is staffed by volunteers who are will-
ing to go out 24/7 and respond to medical and fire emergencies as needed,” the association’s president, Gene Perry, said. “While some departments are doing very well, others face challenges and are trying to get more people and younger people involved.”
Nearly 90 percent of fire departments statewide — including about 70 in Nassau and 100 in Suffolk — rely on volunteers, making recruitment a growing public safety concern.

As part of RecruitNY, departments across Long Island opened their doors for demonstrations and outreach events aimed at attracting new members. Officials said the effort is critical to maintaining staffing levels and emergency response capabilities.
At the Long Island kickoff, FASNY representatives joined local officials and firefighters to highlight recruitment efforts and encourage residents to consider volunteering. They also conducted a demonstration on how firefighters extinguish

dangerous car fires.
In a survey conducted by the association two years ago, 49 percent of New York residents expressed an interest in becoming volunteer firefighters. As well, 66 percent of respondents said they would visit their local fire station to learn more, and 55 percent reported that they would begin with an online search for information.
“What we need are more incentives to encourage people to volunteer, like tax
breaks on homes and priority for affordable housing for volunteers,” Assemblyman Steve Stern said. “These are critically important, but we need to go much further, and I want you to know that we see it and we hear it, because not having enough volunteers is a direct hit on us all — our families and our communities — and it puts our safety at risk.”
For more information on volunteering, contact your local volunteer fire department or visit fasny.com.








The Lynbrook Fire Department hosted a recruitment meet-and-greet on April 18 at the Earle Avenue parking field as part of New York State’s 17th annual RecruitNY campaign, aimed at attracting volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel and junior firefighters.
Events like this are held each year by volunteer departments across the state to help boost membership and raise awareness about the need for community volunteers.
According to department spokesman Steve Grogan, eight people signed up to join the department, including three who responded to social media outreach in the days leading up to the event and five who registered during the meetand-greet.
Fire Chief James D’Giambatista thanked volunteers for dedicating their Saturday to promoting the department’s long-standing service to the community.
“We’ve been protecting the lives and property of Lynbrook residents for 125 years,” he said. “But we always need more residents willing to step up as volunteer firefighters, EMS technicians or even junior firefighters.”






More than 40 years after the rape and killing of Lynbrook teen Theresa Fusco, a Nassau County judge has ruled that the case against Richard Bilodeau will move forward, marking another development in one of the county’s most complex homicide cases.
Bilodeau, 63, of Center Moriches, was indicted in October in connection with Fusco’s 1984 death after investigators used modern DNA technology to link him to the crime. Defense attorneys later sought to have the indictment dismissed, arguing that the evidence presented to the grand jury was insufficient, but the judge denied that motion, allowing the case to proceed.
Fusco, then 16, who worked at the Hot Skates roller rink in Lynbrook, was last seen on Nov. 10, 1984, walking home from work. Weeks later, on Dec. 5, her body was discovered in a wooded area near the rink. Authorities said she had been beaten, raped and strangled, and her death sent shockwaves through the Lynbrook community.
At the center of the case is DNA evidence that prosecutors say links Bilodeau to the crime. According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, investigators obtained a DNA sample from a discarded smoothie cup earlier this year and compared it to evidence recovered from Fusco’s body, resulting in what officials described as a definitive match.
“Things have changed since 1984,” Donnelly said in October. “Science and DNA evidence doesn’t lie.”
Prosecutors argue that the DNA match,
along with the circumstances of Fusco’s death, provides strong evidence of Bilodeau’s involvement.
Defense attorneys, however, have challenged the strength of that evidence. They argued that there is no direct physical or circumstantial evidence placing Bilodeau at the scene, such as fingerprints, eyewitness testimony or a weapon. They also raised concerns about the age and condition of the DNA sample, noting that it had been preserved for decades before being tested.
Despite those arguments, the judge ruled that the evidence met the legal standard required for the indictment to stand.
The case has a long and complicated history. In 1986, three men — John Kogut, Dennis Halstead and John Restivo — were convicted in Fusco’s rape and murder but were later exonerated after DNA testing excluded them as suspects. Their convictions were vacated in 2003 after they had served about 18 years in prison, and later findings revealed misconduct during the original investigation. In 2017, a federal appeals court upheld a jury verdict awarding more than $43 million to Kogut and Restivo.
As the case moves forward, the judge has given attorneys until early May to respond to requests related to additional DNA testing. Bilodeau is scheduled to return to court in June.
For now, the ruling ensures that, more than four decades after Fusco’s death, the case will continue through the court system, with its outcome still uncertain.
— Kayla Dechter


By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
House Democrats secured enough bipartisan support last week to pass legislation to extend temporary protected status for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States. Since Rep. Laura Gillen assumed office last year, she has backed a bill that would allow Haitian TPS holders legal status for three more years.
During a roundtable discussion in Elmont just days before the pivotal vote on April 16, Gillen acknowledged the limitations of temporary measures and pointed to broader legislative efforts, including bipartisan immigration proposals aimed at creating pathways to legal status.
The latest legislation would mark a transformational moment for TPS holders seeking clarity about their future. Haiti was first designated for TPS following a devastating 2010 earthquake, and ongoing instability has kept the designation in place.
Last week’s House effort, led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and backed by Gillen and original co-sponsor Rep. Mike Lawler, secured the required 218 signatures earlier this month, triggering the House vote, in which it passed, 224-204.
“Our immigration system has been

Laura
at a roundtable hosted by Gillen at Le Spot Cafe in Elmont, where advocates gathered to discuss legislation that would extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants.
broken for a long time,” Gillen said.
Mimi Pierre-Johnson, a community leader and activist in Elmont — home to one of Long Island’s largest Haitian populations — emphasized the importance of bipartisan support.
“This should be something that galvanized folks to understand it doesn’t matter about the people who’s trying to divide you, it’s what’s important to you, right?” Pierre-Johnson said. “So if your

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that coincided with a federal court ruling issued one day before the deadline that preserved TPS.
Gillen reiterated the need for broader reform, noting the limits of temporary protections. She is also among the Democratic co-sponsors of the bipartisan Dignity Act, which aims to create a pathway to legal status for long-term U.S. residents.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, whose 22nd District encompasses Elmont, became the first person of Haitian descent elected to the New York State Legislature in 2012. Solages wrote in a statement that although the House vote should be applauded, progress “isn’t anywhere near the finish line” — referencing to the bill’s possible fate in the Senate and the likelihood of a presidential veto if it passes there.
neighbors that are going to work, paying taxes, you know, building a family, building a life, and the only thing stopping them from doing all of that is a piece of legislation.”
In January, Gillen signed a bipartisan letter urging the Trump administration to extend TPS for Haitian nationals ahead of the Feb. 3 expiration. She also met with White House officials to advocate for continued protections, efforts




“We may take this moment to rejoice at the progress made, but we cannot lose focus,” Solages said.
For advocates of the House bill, the push for TPS protections is about more than passing legislation; it reflects the realities of immigrant communities and the uncertainties they face.
The bill is now expected to move to the Senate for consideration, though a date for a vote has not yet been scheduled. Its aim is to protect Haitians who hold TPS through April 20, 2029.









Students at Lynbrook North Middle School participated in the challenging American Mathematics Competition and received certificates.
Lynbrook middle school students once again put their math skills to the test this year, participating in the nationally recognized American Mathematics Competition for the third year in a row.
The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute exam designed for students in eighth grade and below, covering topics such as probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, the Pythagorean theorem, and data interpretation. The competition challenges students to think critically and solve complex problems beyond what is typically covered in the classroom.
Selected students from both North and South Middle Schools took part in the competition and received certificates of completion. At North Middle School, Robert Doran earned the highest score. South Middle School saw a tie for top honors, with Nolan Murphy and Francis Zangari leading the group. All three students
scored in the top 25% nationwide.
Additional participants from North Middle School included Noelle Hannan, Ava Schwarz, Diego Rojas-Young, Emily Berbick, Mary Chatterton, Rylee Blyskal, Zoe Goumennyi, Abigail Berghorn and Avery Thienachariya. Representing South Middle School were Samuel Malinka, Finn Pollicino, Howard Lin, Sophie Macklin, Thomas Rottino, Jeffrey Torero Velasquez, Haddie Emerson, Islan Sookram, Sthapana Bam, Melinda Mobijohn, Ryder Kastin, Nicole Stimac, Hailey Lovaglio, Juliana Nika, Charlotte Cangiano, Seth Gonzalvo and Joseph Giordano. School officials commended all of the students for their efforts, noting that their participation continues to raise the bar for academic excellence in the district.
— Kayla Dechter














































By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Scott Jennings was appointed president and chief operating officer of PSEG Long Island in January, overseeing electric service for about 1.2 million customers. He joined PSEG in 1998 after starting at Deloitte, and held leadership roles in finance and energy investments. He helped develop PSEG’s Long Island agreement, leading to its 2014 launch, and most recently served as senior vice president of finance, planning and strategy. He earned a degree in business administration and an MBA in accounting from Pace University.
Q: From a business degree in accounting, how did you get into the power industry?

A: I started with Deloitte, and PSEG was one of my clients. The engagement showed me how critical the energy industry is to the overall economy and every family. At PSEG I’ve been able to see every part of the business as I moved into several different roles in finance supporting the overall company, and directly managed a number of our business areas.
Q: Having been involved in creating PSEG Long Island’s operating structure in 2014, how does that influence your current priorities?
A: Yes, it was a great experience to lead our pitch to LIPA to serve as the operator more than a decade ago, and I’m really happy to move out here and join and lead the PSEG Long Island team. I think this publicprivate partnership brings great value to the customers of Long Island. With the utility system owned by LIPA, they have access to FEMA funding to recover the costs of storms and support grants for investments, they don’t pay federal or state taxes, and they have access to low-cost debt financing. That’s real value. And then engaging a private company, like PSEG, brings the expertise to operate the utility efficiently and effectively. So my first priorities are aligned with that: leading the utility to bring value to our customers by providing strong reliability and customer service at an affordable price.
Q: Being responsible for PSEG-New Jersey’s high standard in the industry, how do you lift PSEG Long Island to that level?
A: Over our first 12 years on Long Island, we’ve made great strides — this is a very, very different electric system and process compared to the past. Reliability has greatly
improved — PSEG Long Island is now in the top 10 percent of the country for reliability, just behind our sister in New Jersey. We see this in fewer sustained outages, fewer momentary outages, and lesser impacts and quicker responses during recent storms.
Similar on the customer satisfaction front. When we took over in 2014, the Long Island utility had the lowest customer satisfaction in the industry. Since then, PSEG Long Island has been recognized as having the most improvement in the entire country, and was even ranked No. 1 in the 2025 J.D. Power Business Customer Satisfaction Study among large utilities in the East.
And finally I’d point to affordability. When we took over, Long Island electric rates were about the highest in the country. Since then, through good cost control, New York state actions on property taxes and LIPA refinancing its debt, our rates are now lower than our neighboring utilities in NYC and Connecticut.
So we’ve made great progress, and my focus will be to continue to improve our service while managing costs.
Q: From your 30 years of experience, what lessons are
most relevant as you take on this position?
A: It’s about putting the right people in the right positions and keeping focus on what is most important for customers: reliability, service and cost.
Q: Under your leadership, what does success look like, and how can PSEG Long Island help strengthen the L.I. region?
A: I look for success in two timeframes. First is the nearterm of maintaining continued strong reliability and customer service while managing costs effectively. The second is positioning the Long Island electric utility for long-term success. We’re making additional system reliability investments so the strong reliability performance we’ve recently delivered can be maintained. Similarly, we’ll be assessing our longterm energy needs and the generation supply needed to meet them reliably and affordably, while also balancing environmental considerations. These actions and more will position Long Island for reliable and affordable service for years to come, which will help support the region’s continued economic development and great communities for our families.

Friday, April 24: Rides 6 PM - 10 PM Saturday, April 25: Rides 11 AM - 9 PM Sunday, April 26: Rides 11 AM - 7 PM Vendors Sat. & Sun. 10 AM - 6 PM


By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Lynbrook High School opened new doors for students on April 15, hosting its first College and Career Fair with more than 80 representatives from colleges, universities, police departments, military branches and trade schools.
Held in the school gymnasium, the event brought together freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors to explore a wide range of post-graduation options, welcoming underclassmen to begin thinking about their futures. Tables lined the space as students moved from booth to booth, asking questions and making connections with representatives.
Principal Matthew Sarosy said the scale of the event made it especially impactful. “To bring a college and career fair of this size to our school brings a huge benefit to our students,” he said. “This type of setting allows personal interaction between the representatives and the students.”
In addition to colleges, the fair featured more than a dozen employment opportunities, including local police departments and other workforce connections like Hempstead Works. Sarosy noted that meeting representatives face-
to-face can help students feel less overwhelmed when making decisions about their future.
“What can be a big overwhelming decision can be narrowed down by meeting somebody face to face,” he said.
Guidance Chairperson Sue Moller said the event was designed to reach students at every stage of high school. “This is the first time we’re doing this college and career fair. We have over 84 reps here,” she said. “The juniors probably gain the most from this, as they are just starting college visits and exploring majors.”
Moller added that introducing younger students to these opportunities early can help guide their academic choices.
“For sophomores, having more information earlier allows for them to pick better electives based on what they are interested in,” she said, noting that even freshmen benefit by getting excited and prepared for life after high school.
For many students, the ability to speak directly with representatives made a lasting impression. Junior Annabelle Murray, who plans to major in acting, said the experience helped confirm her goals.
“There’s only so much you can get from college websites, so it is so nice to talk to them in person and hear straight from



the schools themselves,” she said.
Murray said she was especially interested in learning about audition processes and performing arts programs, adding that she looks forward to taking more acting-focused classes in college that aren’t offered at the high school.
Junior Connor Buxton, who is considering a future in law, said the fair broadened his perspective. “I learned that there

are a lot more schools that offer these programs and that there are certain tracks to allow you to graduate earlier,” he said. He added that schools like Rutgers, Binghamton and St. John’s caught his attention after speaking with representatives.
With its strong turnout and positive feedback, the fair marked a successful first step in helping Lynbrook students navigate their next chapter.














































By Abbey Salvemini
As spring moves forward towards its peak, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay bursts into a vivid celebration of color, nature and community. This weekend, April 25–26, the inaugural Branches in Bloom Festival invites visitors to stroll beneath sweeping canopies of magnolias, cherry blossoms and other flowering trees.
Blending longstanding tradition with new experiences, the festival refreshes the site’s beloved Arbor Day celebration of years past. Guests can explore the historic estate in colorful bloom while enjoying guided tours, live entertainment and familyfriendly activities, making it an easy spring highlight for visitors of all ages.
The new festival is both a tribute and a transformation.
“Branches in Bloom is a reimagination of a 40-year-old tradition here at Planting Fields,” Communications and Marketing Manager Kayla Cheshire says. “It’s still in honor of Arbor Day, but now we’re really able to focus on our spring flowering collection, something thousands of visitors come to see each year.”
That shift is most visible in the festival’s new setting. Instead of hosting activities away from the colorful trees, organizers moved the entire event to the West Lawn, placing everyone directly among the site’s most stunning seasonal displays. That change will have an immediate impact, according to Stewardship Director Lilly McGurk.
“The focus on the spring blooms is really going to knock everybody’s socks off,” she says with enthusiasm.
The refreshed format also reflects a broader push to make the festival more engaging and accessible to all audiences. While hands-on tree education and environmental programming remain at its core, the expanded offerings are designed to be inviting for families, younger visitors and those discovering the grounds for the first time.
“We wanted to create something that feels contemporary and welcoming to all,” McGurk explains. “People are looking to get outside, enjoy nature and spend time together. This brings in that wellness aspect while still celebrating the environment.”
Over the course of the weekend, the festival

blends learning with leisure, offering something for both the curious and the casual visitor. Guided tours led by expert horticulturalists, including Arboretum Director Vincent Simeone, provide behind-the-scenes insight into the site’s celebrated collections, while interactive demonstrations and displays offer practical inspiration for gardeners at every level.
Music, magic shows, jugglers and roaming performers keep the grounds buzzing with energy throughout the day.

Anchoring the schedule are performances by Strummin’ and Drummin’ (spanning late morning into the afternoon), complemented by face painting, caricatures and a lineup of food trucks offering plenty of casual bites and treats.
For families, interactive experiences are a major draw. The Kids Tree Climb run by longtime sponsor Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes returns as a centerpiece activity, giving children the chance to safely scale trees under professional supervision. Due to high demand, last entry is at 2:30 p.m. to ensure all finish by the 4 p.m. close.

• Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission is $30 per car, or if taking the LIRR to Oyster Bay, $5 per person (kids under 3 free); learn at plantingfields.org
• 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
Craft stations include simple coloring and imaginative projects like wearable “bee crowns,” designed to spark creativity and connect visitors to nature.
“We design activities with everyone in mind,” McGurk says. “There are things for kids, adults and families to enjoy together.”
The festival also underscores the broader mission of the Planting Fields Foundation, which works in partnership with New York State Parks, to preserve and maintain stewardship of the site. Beyond its celebrated horticulture, the organization continues to highlight the estate’s layered history, art and culture — threads that run throughout the programming and shape the visitor experience.
“There’s so much more here than just the plants,” Cheshire adds. “There’s history, there’s art, there’s culture. Events like this allow us to showcase all of that while making the site accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”
Accessibility remains a priority. This year, organizers pilot a shuttle from the Oyster Bay LIRR station making it easier for visitors from throughout the region to attend without a car. Supported by a state tourism grant through I Love New York, this expands the festival’s reach.
“We want everyone to feel welcome here,” Cheshire says. “This is about creating access not just to the festival, but to green space and nature in general.”
Even with its expanded offerings, Branches in Bloom remains firmly rooted in its Arbor Day heritage. Tree giveaways, educational exhibits, a plant sale, and environmental partnerships continue to anchor the festival, preserving its mission-driven focus while allowing it to evolve and resonate with a new generation.
With blooms in full display, immersive activities and a renewed focus on community connection, organizers aim for the festival to take root as a lasting seasonal celebration.
“It’s a new take on a tradition that means a lot to us. At the end of the day, it’s about bringing people together, celebrating the season and sharing this incredible place with as many people as possible,” Cheshire says.
In the long tradition of American roots music family groups, the Chapin family holds a distinctive place. Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily Chapin) are all accomplished artists with a shared commitment to family and music that connects deeply with audiences. Their performances together bring that spirit into focus in a powerful and personal way at this special concert honoring Harry Chapin’s legacy. Two generations of his family come together to perform his songs, joined by The Harry Chapin Band, featuring Big John Wallace and Howard Fields.His iiconic works are performed lwith the energy and intimacy they were written with in mind. In keeping with Harry’s lifelong commitment to fighting hunger, everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable items, to be donated to a local food bank.
Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. $91, $71, $51. JLandmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Chazz Palminteri returns with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on his bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nineyears-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that forever shaped his world-view. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro—and later a hit Broadway musical.
Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The library celebrates National Library Week by organizing a giveaway of books, no registration required. Stop to pick up novels to build your home library, or books for your classroom!
• Where: 56 Eldert St.
• Time: All day, through April 27
• Contact: lynbrooklibrary.org or (516) 599-8630
Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance welcomes all to Spring 2026 Dance Concert. The performance features includes pieces by Hofstra faculty choreographers and guest artists. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and Hofstra alumni.
• Where: Toni and Martin Sosnoff Theater, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, Hempstead
• Time: 8 p.m., also April 24-April 25
• Contact: hofstra.universitytickets.com
Scott Litroff Jazz Trio
Join Dr. Scott Litroff, internationallyrenowned saxophonist and Adelphi University Senior Adjunct Faculty, as he performs a vibrant and lively concert on the Adelphi University stage. He plays contemporary/ smooth jazz, fusion, funk, pop, and original works alongside some of the finest musicians in the jazz and pop scene today. Drawing upon his multiple influences from jazz, pop, and the classical arts, Scott is known for his impressive lyricism, improvisational prowess, and high virtuosity. It is sure to be a captivating evening as Scott and his band move and groove as they interpret the works of Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Kenny G, and others.
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000
25
The Lovin’ Spoonful
Fondly known as “America’s answer to the Beatles,” the band brings their chart-topping folk-rock hits to the Madison Theatre. Formed in New York’s Greenwich Village, The Lovin’ Spoonful, made up of original

Celebrate Arbor Day by helping plant trees and beautify the community. Includes tree giveaways, music, and a fun educational experience for all ages, making the earth a greener place.
• Where: Greis Park Trail, 55 Wilbur St.
• Time: 9-11 a.m.
• Contact: Village of Lynbrook at (516) 599-8300
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of Isabel Sanchez Vergara’s “Little People Big Dreams.” Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and hands-on craft for each child to take home.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of 53 years of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roofraising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before. The band has lways delivered on their promises. In 1976, they debuted as the most explosive indie breakthrough act of the decade. Throughout the ‘80s/’90s MTV era, Thorogood was the epitome of snakeskin and shades guitar-slinger cool. And with chart-topping hits like ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’, ‘Move It On Over’, ‘Who Do You Love?’, ‘I Drink Alone’, ‘Get A Haircut’ and the ultimate badass anthem ‘Bad To The Bone’, the band soon became undeniable cornerstones of classic Rock. Meanwhile, their album catalog continues to dominate streaming charts worldwide.
band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler, and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first seven singles soaring onto Billboard’s Top-10 virtually overnight. Their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic,” flew to the top of the charts, followed by an unprecedented string of hits. Today, The Lovin’ Spoonful tours with founding member Steve Boone, along with Jeff Alan Ross (Badfinger, Peter Asher), Bill Cinque (Neil Diamond), longtime drummer Mike Arturi, and Rob Bonfiglio (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson Band, Wilson Phillips).
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Ladies Auxiliary Zumba Knights of Columbus has organized Ladies Auxiliary Zumba classes for any resident that would like to participate in Zumba. The classes are offered at a capped price of $60, which covers the cost of the full 4-week schedule.
• Where: 78 Hempstead Avenue, Lynbrook
• Time: Ongoing Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.; also May 6, May 13 and May 20
• Contact: Linda (516) 287-4634
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon; you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also April 30-May 1
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Get ready for a weekend of running, celebrations and more as the Jovia Financial Credit Union Long Island Marathon returns to Eisenhower Park.
• Where: Eisenhower Park
• Time: Races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various times, through May 3
• Contact: RunLongIlsnadMarathon.com
Lynbrook South Middle School hosts a Fashion Show. It’s a fun, stylish evening celebrating student creativity, runway fashion, and community pride. Expect student models, designers, and special performances. Presale tickets cost $5 for school district students and $10 for non-students. At the door ticket prices are $7 for district students and $12 for nonstudents.
• Where: Lynbrook High School, 9 Union Ave.
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Contact: Gina Piombo at ginamapi@yahoo.com
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Reunion To Celebrate Life
St. Raymond Grammar School class of 1965 and East Rockaway High School class of 1969 are having a joint reunion at Grandpa Tony’s. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch-up and celebration of the lives of the alumni. Email any inquiries to Lorraine Keegan.
• Where: 101 Althouse Ave., East Rockaway
• Time: 5-9 p.m.
• Contact: LTK271982@yahoo.com
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Compiled By Herald Staff
Charlotte Jacobs Massapequa Park
I like to do doodles and to color with my mom and my sister. Sometimes my sister gets markers on my pictures, but that’s okay.


Mackenzie Alessandro Glen Cove, age 11
I like to go to Claymation and paint.
Tim Baker/Herald
Charlie McDonald Rockville Centre, age 8
I like to go to the library and play on my iPad and look for books.
Tim Baker/Herald














Aviana Mannino Lynbrook, age 12
Calling my friends and playing Roblox and watching Hannah Montana.
Tim Baker/Herald

Alonnah Joggy East Meadow
I love being in my room listening to the rain while playing music and falling asleep. Abbey Salvemini/Herald
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY
EXECUTIVE
invites you and your family to visit the NATION’S ONLY MUSEUM OF
located at The Viscardi Center in Albertson, NY.

Come learn about local disability rights pioneer Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. and explore over 125 artifacts highlighting the fight for equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The museum provides an inclusive, fully accessible experience for all visitors and is the perfect place to spend a fun and educational day with your family. School field trips and group tours welcome.













LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION AND BUDGET HEARING OF LYNBROOK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2026.
MAY 19, 2026
NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual School District Election of the voters of the Lynbrook Union Free District will be held on May 19, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., in the following locations: Election District 1Lynbrook North Middle School, 529 Merrick Road, Lynbrook, NY; Election District 2Lynbrook High School, 9 Union Avenue, Lynbrook, NY; Election District 3Lynbrook South Middle School, 333 Union Avenue, Lynbrook, NY. The election shall be for the purpose of: (1) filling two vacancies on the Board of Education; (2) voting on the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the District for the 20262027 school year (Proposition One);
Proposition One: Budget
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Budget of the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District for the school year 20262027 in the amount of $115,248,293 as proposed by the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District be adopted and the Board of Education be authorized to levy a tax for that sum upon the taxable property of the school district to meet said expenditures after first deducting the monies available from state aid and other sources. Adoption of this budget requires a tax levy increase of 1.97%, which exceeds the statutory tax levy increase limit of 0.95% for this school fiscal year and, therefore, would exceed the state tax cap and must be approved by 60% of the qualified voters present and voting.
(3) voting on the following two additional propositions (Propositions Two and Three):
Proposition Two: Use of the Technology Replacement Capital Reserve Fund
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District (“District”) be authorized to expend from the Technology Replacement Fund, established on May 15, 2007, and extended and amended by the voters of the Lynbrook Union Free School District at the Annual District Meetings held on May 15, 2012, May 16, 2017, and on May 17, 2022, an amount not to exceed $560,000 for the purposes of providing instructional technology devices and equipment, as well as continuing a multi-year data wiring replacement and improvement project at no additional cost to District taxpayers and to commence during the 2026-2027 school year; all of the foregoing to include furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition and other work required in connection therewith, as well as preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof; provided that the costs of the components of said project may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and no material change shall be made in the scope of the project.
Proposition Three: Acquisition of 36 Carpenter Avenue, Construction of Fitness Center, Amendment And Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds, and Authorization of Other Capital Projects
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District (“District”) be authorized: (A) to acquire the real property located at 36 Carpenter Avenue, Lynbrook, New York (Section 42, Block 124, Lot 22), currently owned by the Village of Lynbrook, and to construct, furnish, and equip a school district fitness center on said site (“Property Acquisition and Development”), and to include site improvements, furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition, and other work required in connection therewith, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto, at a total cost not to exceed $3,000,000, to be funded at no additional cost to the taxpayers, provided that
the detailed costs of the components of the Property Acquisition and Development as set forth in this clause (A) may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and does not materially change the overall scope of the Property Acquisition and Development as presented to the voters; and further provided that such Property Acquisition and Development is expressly conditioned upon: (i) the execution of a purchase agreement between the District and the Village of Lynbrook; (ii) satisfactory completion of environmental due diligence, including a Phase I and, if warranted, a Phase II environmental assessment; and (iii) receipt of all required State and local permits and approvals, including all necessary approvals from the New York State Education Department, fully authorizing the aforesaid Property Acquisition and Development; and (B) to amend the purposes of the District’s existing Renovation & Improvement of Facilities Fund Capital Reserve, Building Renovation, Improvement, Upgrade, and Equipment Capital Reserve, and Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve, each established pursuant to Education Law §?3651, so as to authorize, as additional lawful purposes, the Property Acquisition and Development described in clause (A) above; and (C) to authorize the aggregate expenditure of not to exceed $3,000,000 toward the costs of the Property Acquisition and Development described in clause (A) above, as follows: (i) an amount not to exceed $2,803,859 plus any interest accrued thereon from the Renovation & Improvement of Facilities Fund Capital Reserve, and (ii) an amount not to exceed $2,352 plus any interest accrued thereon from the Building Renovation, Improvement, Upgrade, and Equipment Capital Reserve, and (iii) an amount not to exceed $193,789 from the Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve; and (D) to authorize the expenditure from the District’s existing
Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve of an additional amount not to exceed $1,220,000 in the aggregate for other capital projects, consisting of: renovation of a classroom at North Middle School, replacement of rooftop air conditioning units at Lynbrook High School, repair/replacement of heating equipment at North Middle School, and the replacement of the PA system at West End elementary school (“Capital Projects”), to be funded at no additional cost to the taxpayers, all of the foregoing to include site improvements, furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition and other work required in connection therewith, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto; provided that the detailed costs of the components of the Capital Projects as set forth in this clause (D) may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and does not materially change the overall scope of the Capital Projects as presented to the voters; and Further provided that, if for any reason one or more of the express conditions described in clause (A) cannot be satisfied and the Property Acquisition and Development cannot be consummated, the authorization set forth in clause (D) shall nevertheless remain fully effective, and the District shall be authorized to undertake the Capital Projects described therein.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that nominations for the office of Board of Education member shall be made by petition subscribed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District and filed in the District Clerk’s office at the Atlantic Avenue Administration Office, 111 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, NY, during regular office hours not later than the 30th day before the election, this year, on April 20, 2026, petitions may be filed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each petition shall state the name and residence of the signer and the name and residence of the
candidate. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will each be elected to serve a three (3) year term to commence on July 1, 2026.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Education shall hold a public budget hearing to discuss the expenditure of funds and the budgeting thereof for the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lynbrook High School cafeteria. The budget hearing will also be livestreamed at https://lynbrookschools. community. highbond.com/Portal/ MeetingTypeList.aspx Copies of the condensed form of the budget proposition, the text of all other propositions to appear on the ballot and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money that will be required for the 20262027 school year, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be made available, upon request, to any District resident at each school house in the District which school is maintained from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the election, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, at the public library within the District and on the District website.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that registration is permitted in the District Clerk’s office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, up to and including May 13, 2026. The Board of Registration will meet on Wednesday, May 13,
2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lynbrook High School, to prepare a register of the qualified voters for the Annual District Election, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such registry provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he/she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the election for which such register is prepared. The Board of Registration will also meet during the Annual District Election at each polling place to prepare a register for subsequent elections. The register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who personally present themselves for registration; (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who have been registered for and voted at any annual or special district election held within the last four calendar years (20222025); and (3) voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections. The register will be filed in the District Clerk’s office where it will be open to inspection by any qualified voter from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to the election, except Sunday, by appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, and at each polling place on the day of the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that applications for absentee ballots may be obtained by by contacting the District Clerk by email theresa. moran@ lynbrookschools.org or phone (516-887-6558). Applications for early mail ballots must be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the State Education Department’s website https://www. counsel.nysed.gov/sites/ counsel/files/24-04school-application-withform.pdf Español https://www. counsel.nysed.gov/ miscellaneous or by contacting the District Clerk by email (theresa.moran@ lynbrookschools.org) or phone (516-887-6558).
Completed absentee and early mail ballot applications must be received at least seven
(7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the applicant or to his or her designated agent. Absentee and early mail ballot applications will not be accepted prior to April 20, 2026. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available in the District Clerk’s office on each of the five (5) days prior to the election except Sunday, and by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday prior to the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming district election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the District may obtain a registration form by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (516-8876558), facsimile (516887-3263), email (theresa.moran@ lynbrookschools.org), mail (111 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563), or in person (during regular office hours or from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot.
A military voter who is duly registered may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk. Completed applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 19, 2026, if showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or question to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 250 qualified voters of the District and filed in the District Clerk’s office during regular hours, except on the 30th day preceding the election at which such question or proposition shall be voted upon (this year April 20, 2026), when the hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except that this rule shall not apply to those questions or propositions which the Board of Education has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District or propositions which are required by law to be placed in the legal notice.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four (24) hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, Section 2019-a, Subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.
By Order of: Board of Education Lynbrook Union Free School District Administration Building 111 Atlantic Avenue Lynbrook, NY 11563 Theresa Moran District Clerk 159333
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING AND ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION OF EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK, TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2026
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the qualified voters of the East Rockaway Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, will be held on May 19, 2026, from 7:00 A.M and 9:00 P.M. States government.
April 23, 2026 —

in the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, 443 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, New York, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by law.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that a public budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the library of Centre Avenue School, to discuss the expenditure of funds for the 2026-2027 school year (proposed budget). The meeting will be open to the public and livestreamed at www. eastrockawayschools.
org.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the vote upon the proposed budget, on all propositions duly filed with the Board of Education, and to fill two (2) vacancies on the Board of Education, will be held in the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. for the following purposes:
a) To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education to fill the offices currently held by Dineen Cilluffo and Aspasia Lonergan, whose terms expire on June 30, 2026, for two (2) new three-year terms commencing on July 1, 2026.
b) To vote upon the annual school budget for the school year 2026-2027 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the property of the district for the foregoing purposes.
c) To vote upon the following proposition:
PROPOSITION NO.
2: (Capital Reserve Fund for Capital Improvement Projects): Resolved, that the East Rockaway Union Free School District is hereby authorized to undertake certain capital improvements, renovations, and reconstruction work at the East rockaway Jr./ Sr. High School and the sites thereof consisting of the following: Slate Roof Replacement and Waterproofing of the 1967 Wing; Gutter, Fascia, Decorative Wood Column Repairs/ Replacement/ Painting; and HVAC Reconstruction (the “Project”); all of the foregoing to include furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition and other work, and preliminary, incidental, and financing costs required in connection therewith, to commence
during 2026-2027 and to be funded from existing reserves at no additional cost to District taxpayers; and to appropriate and expend therefor an amount not to exceed $1,600,000 from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund for Building Improvements and Repairs III, previously established by voters on May 17, 2022; provided that the detailed component costs of the Project may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and can be made without any material change in the scope of the Project.
d) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.
The election will be held in accordance with the Rules for the Conduct of Meetings and Elections adopted by the Board of Education.
The condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all other propositions to appear on the voting machine, and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-2027 school year, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available, upon request, to any District resident at each school house in the District from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the East Rockaway public library, and on the District website during the fourteen days before the May 19, 2026 election, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and at the budget hearing and at the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the
cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that nominations for the office of member of the Board of Education will be made by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and filed in the District Clerk’s Office, in the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., not later than the 30th day before the election, this year April 20, 2026. Such petition must state the name and residence of each signer, the name and residence of the candidate, and the length of the term of office. The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered elected to office. Where terms are of different length, the candidate receiving the highest vote will be elected to the longest term. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his unwillingness to serve.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or question to be placed upon the ballot must be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 100 qualified voters of the District and filed in the District Clerk’s Office from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., not later than the 30th day preceding the meeting or election at which such question or proposition will be voted upon, this year, April 20, 2026, except that this rule does not apply to those questions or propositions which are required to be stated in the published notice of the meeting, or to those propositions or questions which the Board of Education has the sole authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that registration of the qualified voters is permitted in the District Clerk’s Office, from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, up to and including Thursday, May 14, 2026. A register will be prepared and filed in the District Clerk’s Office and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on each of the five days prior to the election, except Sunday, from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday,
May 16, 2026, by appointment only, and at the polling place on election day. The register will include: (1) all qualified voters of the District who personally present themselves for registration; (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who have registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who have voted at any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within the last four years (2022-2025); and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of Elections of Nassau County. The Board of Registration will meet during the hours of voting on May 19, 2026, to prepare a register for subsequent District meetings or elections.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT early mail ballots are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the District’s website (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voter-registrationinformation) or by contacting the District Clerk (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext.1-433) from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on school days. Applications for absentee ballots are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the District’s website (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voter-registrationinformation) or by contacting the District Clerk (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext.1-433) from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on school days. Completed applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to his or her designated agent, but such applications will not be accepted before April 20, 2026. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received in the District Clerk’s office not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, to be canvassed. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available for inspection in the District
Clerk’s office on each of the five days prior to the election from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. except Sunday, and by appointment only from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the Saturday prior to the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming school district election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the District may obtain a registration form by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (516-887-8300, Ext. 1-433), facsimile (516887-1802), email (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org), mail (433 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518), or in person (during regular office hours or from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M) A military voter who is duly registered may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District by also contacting the District Clerk. Completed applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 19, 2026, if showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government. A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board will convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot, in the East Rockaway Jr./ Sr. High School for the purpose of examining
and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, §2019-a(2)(b) at said special meeting of the Board.
Dated: March 24, 2026, East Rockaway, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK NEREYDA AMAYA MORAN District Clerk 159335
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIONES ANUALES DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE LA UNION DE EAST ROCKAWAY, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, ESTADO DE NUEVA YORK, QUE SE CELEBRARÁ EL 19 DE MAYO DE 2026 POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que la reunión anual de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de East Rockaway, ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, se celebrará el 19 de mayo de 2026, de 7:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m., en la Escuela Secundaria East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, 443 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, Nueva York, para tratar los asuntos autorizados por la ley. SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que el martes 5 de mayo de 2026, a las 6:00 p. m., se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto en la biblioteca de la escuela Centre Avenue School, con el fin de debatir el gasto de los fondos para el año escolar 20262027 (presupuesto propuesto). La reunión estará abierta al público y se retransmitirá en directo en www. eastrockawayschools. org. SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que la votación sobre el presupuesto propuesto, sobre todas las propuestas debidamente presentadas ante la Junta de Educación y para cubrir dos (2) vacantes en la Junta de Educación, se llevará a cabo en la Escuela Secundaria East Rockaway Jr./Sr., de 7:00
a. m. a 9:00 p. m., con los siguientes fines: a) Elegir a dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para cubrir los cargos que actualmente ocupan Dineen Cilluffo y Aspasia Lonergan, cuyos mandatos expiran el 30 de junio de 2026, para dos (2) nuevos mandatos de tres años a partir del 1 de julio de 2026.
b) Votar el presupuesto escolar anual para el año escolar 2026-2027 y autorizar la recaudación de un impuesto sobre la propiedad del distrito para los fines antes mencionados.
c) Votar la siguiente propuesta: PROPUESTA N.º 2 (Fondo de reserva de capital para proyectos de mejoras de infraestructura): Se resuelve que, por la presente, se autoriza al Distrito Escolar Libre de la Union de East Rockaway a llevar a cabo determinadas mejoras de infraestructura, renovaciones y obras de reconstrucción en la Escuela Secundaria y Preparatoria de East Rockaway y sus instalaciones, que consisten en lo siguiente: Sustitución del techo de pizarra e impermeabilización del ala construida en 1967; reparación, sustitución y pintura de canaletas, fascias y columnas decorativas de madera; y reconstrucción del sistema de climatización (el “Proyecto”); todo lo anterior incluirá mobiliario, equipo, maquinaria, demolición y otros trabajos, así como los costos preliminares, incidentales y de financiamiento necesarios en relación con los mismos, que se iniciarán durante 2026-2027 y se financiarán con las reservas existentes sin costo adicional para los contribuyentes del Distrito; y a asignar y gastar para ello una cantidad que no exceda los $1,600,000 dólares del Fondo de Reserva de Capital del Distrito para Mejoras y Reparaciones de Edificios III, establecido previamente por los votantes el 17 de mayo de 2022; siempre que los costos detallados de los componentes del Proyecto puedan reasignarse entre dichos componentes si la Junta de Educación determina que dicha reasignación redunda en el mejor interés del Distrito y puede realizarse sin ningún cambio
sustancial en el alcance del Proyecto. d) Votar sobre cualquier otra propuesta que se presente debidamente ante la reunión.
La elección se llevará a cabo de conformidad con las Normas para la celebración de reuniones y elecciones adoptadas por la Junta de Educación. Se preparará un resumen de la propuesta presupuestaria y el texto de todas las demás propuestas que aparecerán en la máquina de votación, así como una declaración detallada por escrito de la cantidad de dinero que se necesitará para el año escolar 20262027, especificando los fines y la cantidad para cada uno, y se pondrán a disposición copias de los mismos, previa solicitud, a cualquier residente del Distrito en cada escuela del Distrito de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., en la biblioteca pública de East Rockaway y en el sitio web del Distrito durante los catorce días previos a las elecciones del 19 de mayo de 2026, excepto sábados, domingos y días festivos, así como en la audiencia presupuestaria y en las elecciones.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exenciones. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto definitivo, mostrará cómo el valor total catastral del catastro definitivo utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará todos los tipos de exención concedidos por la autoridad legal y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el importe acumulativo que se espera recibir en concepto de pagos en lugar de impuestos y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas.

TENGA EN CUENTA que las candidaturas para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación se presentarán mediante una petición suscrita por al menos 25 votantes cualificados del distrito y se depositarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en la Escuela Secundaria East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, 5:00 p. m., 30 días elección, de abril petición nombre de cada nombre del candidato duración Los dos que obtengan número considerados para el los mandatos diferente candidato el mayor votos será el mandato La Junta podrá candidatura candidato para el su falta para desempeñarlo. TENGA ADEMÁS propuesta que se papeleta deberá escrito petición menos cualificados y presentarse oficina del distrito 9:00 a. p. m., a días antes o elección votará o propuesta, 20 de excepto no se aplica preguntas que deben convocatoria de la aquellas preguntas de Educación autoridad ley para cualquier o especial SE INFORMA que el votantes se realizará Oficina del Distrito, a. m. a lunes a el jueves de 2026, preparará que se Oficina del Distrito abierto de cualquier calificado a. m. durante los cinco la elección, domingo, a 11:00 16 de mayo solo con en el lugar el día de El registro (1) todos cualificados que se personalmente

School, de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m., a más tardar 30 días antes de la elección, este año el 20 de abril de 2026. Dicha petición debe indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, el nombre y la residencia del candidato y la duración del mandato. Los dos candidatos que obtengan el mayor número de votos serán considerados elegidos para el cargo. Cuando los mandatos tengan diferente duración, el candidato que obtenga el mayor número de votos será elegido para el mandato más largo. La Junta de Educación podrá rechazar una candidatura si el candidato no es elegible para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para desempeñarlo.
TENGA EN CUENTA
ADEMÁS que cualquier propuesta o pregunta que se incluya en la papeleta electoral deberá presentarse por escrito mediante una petición suscrita por al menos 100 votantes cualificados del distrito y presentarse en la oficina del secretario del distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m., a más tardar 30 días antes de la reunión o elección en la que se votará dicha pregunta o propuesta, este año, 20 de abril de 2026, excepto que esta norma no se aplica a aquellas preguntas o propuestas que deben figurar en la convocatoria publicada de la reunión, ni a aquellas propuestas o preguntas que la Junta de Educación tiene la autoridad exclusiva por ley para presentar en cualquier reunión anual o especial del Distrito. SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que el registro de votantes cualificados se realizará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, de 8:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., de lunes a viernes, hasta el jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, inclusive. Se preparará un registro que se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito y estará abierto a la inspección de cualquier votante calificado de 8:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m. durante cada uno de los cinco días previos a la elección, excepto el domingo, de 8:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m. el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, solo con cita previa, y en el lugar de votación el día de las elecciones. El registro incluirá: (1) todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito que se presenten personalmente para
registrarse; (2) todos los votantes previamente cualificados del Distrito que se hayan inscrito en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial del Distrito y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial del Distrito celebrada o llevada a cabo en cualquier momento durante los últimos cuatro años (2022-2025); y (3) los votantes inscritos de forma permanente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau. La Junta de Registro se reunirá durante el horario de votación del 19 de mayo de 2026 para preparar un registro para las siguientes reuniones o elecciones del Distrito. TENGA EN CUENTA
TAMBIÉN QUE las solicitudes para votar por correo deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal, que puede obtenerse en el sitio web del distrito (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voterregistrationinformation) o poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext. 1-433) de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. los días lectivos. Las solicitudes para votar por correo anticipado deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal y pueden obtenerse visitando el sitio web del distrito (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voter-registrationinformation) o poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext.1-433) de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. en días lectivos. Las solicitudes completadas para votar por correo y por correo anticipado deben recibirse al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o a su agente designado, pero dichas solicitudes no se aceptarán antes del 20 de abril de 2026. Las papeletas de voto por correo y por adelantado deben recibirse en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del martes 19 de mayo de 2026 para ser escrutadas. La lista de todas las
personas a las que se han expedido papeletas de voto por correo y de voto anticipado estará disponible para su inspección en la oficina del secretario del distrito durante los cinco días anteriores a las elecciones, de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., excepto los domingos, y solo con cita previa de 8:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m. el sábado anterior a las elecciones.
TENGA EN CUENTA, además, que de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-d, cualquier persona que preste servicio en el ejército, incluidos los cónyuges y dependientes, puede inscribirse para votar en las próximas elecciones del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del distrito pueden obtener un formulario de inscripción poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito por teléfono (516887-8300, ext. 1-433), fax (516-887-1802), correo electrónico (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org), correo postal (433 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518) o en persona (durante el horario habitual de oficina o de 8:00 a. m. a 3:00 p.m.). Un votante militar que esté debidamente registrado puede solicitar una papeleta militar solicitando una solicitud al distrito, también poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito. Las solicitudes completadas deben entregarse personalmente o enviarse por correo al secretario del distrito y recibirse antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. Las papeletas militares deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de mayo de 2026, si están firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a las elecciones, o no más tarde del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026, si muestran una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o si muestran un respaldo fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Un votante militar puede designar su preferencia por recibir un formulario de registro de votante militar, una solicitud de
boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico en la solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta electoral o boleta electoral.
SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que esta Junta convocará una reunión extraordinaria en un plazo de veinticuatro horas tras la presentación ante el secretario del distrito de un informe escrito con los resultados de la votación, en la East Rockaway Jr./Sr. con el fin de examinar y tabular dichos informes de los resultados de la votación y declarar el resultado de la misma; que la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar los votos de conformidad con la Ley de Educación, §2019a(2)(b) en dicha reunión extraordinaria de la Junta.
Fecha: 24 de marzo de 2026, East Rockaway, Nueva York DE EAST ROCKAWAY POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN, DE EAST ROCKAWAY DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE LA UNION DE EAST ROCKAWAY, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
NEREYDA AMAYA MORAN Secretaria del Distrito 159337
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. TWENTY-FOUR TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD AND NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four of the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York in said District on May 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.
1. Presentation of the budget document.
2. To discuss all of the items herein set
forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as hereinafter set forth.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7:00 a.m., prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:
District No. 1: Valley Stream Fire Department 112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 2: William L. Buck School 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 3: Brooklyn Avenue School 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 4: Robert W. Carbonaro School 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, New York at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029, as follows:
a. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Armando Hernandez, whose term expires June 30, 2026;
b. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Melissa Herrera, whose term expires June 30, 2026;
c. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Cynthia Nunez (last incumbent-currently vacant), whose term expires June 30, 2026;
the person elected shall also serve the remainder of the unexpired term commencing May 19, 2026.
3. To present the following propositions for consideration:
a. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Union Free School District TwentyFour for the year 20262027 be approved in the amount of $43,131,639 and for the purposes shown in the statement thereof presented at the annual meeting, and that such sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the district after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.
b. SHALL the Board of Education of Valley Stream Union Free School District TwentyFour be authorized to appropriate and expend from the Capital Reserve Fund, which was established on 2024 (“Reserve Fund”) pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law, for the following capital improvement projects: Renovating Three (3) Classrooms district-wide, and resurfacing the parking lot and playground at William L. Buck school in the approximate amount $1,200,000, and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend from the Reserve Fund therefore, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $1,200,000.
c. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York for the year 2026-2027 be approved in the amount of $173,600,882 and that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Central High School District, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.
d. SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Central High School District be authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of financing capital improvements to District facilities and sites, including but not limited to additions, reconstruction,
renovation, rehabilitation, expansion and equipping of District buildings and grounds; site work and improvements; parking areas and paving; sidewalks and curbing; drainage and utility infrastructure; ADA features; auditoriums; ceilings; computer and technology systems; data and communication networks; doors; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sanitary systems; energy management and conservation systems; exterior and interior lighting; fencing; flooring; fire safety and suppression systems; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; gymnasiums; masonry; roofs; security systems; toilet rooms; walls; windows; furnishings and equipment permanently affixed to buildings, and similar projects together with architectural, engineering and other incidental costs related thereto; with the ultimate amount of such Capital Reserve Fund to be $15,000,000, plus accumulated interest, and with a term of fifteen (15) years, to be funded by transfers of unappropriated fund balance from the District’s general fund and interest earned thereon.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-four shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than April 20, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition shall be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be
considered a separate specific vacancy. A nominating petition may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his or her unwillingness to serve. Forms for nominating petitions may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York and the office of the District Clerk of said School District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 at the William L. Buck School, on May 11, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time,

on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to New York Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the respective polling places between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at the prevailing time, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2027and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such Register is prepared.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-434-2839 for information about accessibility.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 6, 2026, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www. valleystreamschool district24.org, at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, New York, at the School District
Administrative Center, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:
1. Brooklyn Avenue School located at 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream New York;
2. William L. Buck School located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream New York; and
3. Robert W. Carbonaro School located at 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream New York.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 20, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the
election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on Saturday, May 16, 2026, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at 516-434-2839 and on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on Election Day.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. TwentyFour by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24.org or fax sent to 516-2560163. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24. org or fax sent to 516256-0163. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of
Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on February 18, 2026. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on March 20, 2026. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 100 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-434-2839.
Jennie L. Padilla District Clerk of the Board of Education Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 159363
LEGAL NOTICE CONVOCATORIA DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DEL PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIONES DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE VALLEY STREAM N.º VEINTICUATRO MUNICIPIO DE HEMPSTEAD Y CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes habilitados del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream n.º veinticuatro de la ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York,
en la escuela William L. Buck, situada en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en dicho distrito, el 6 de mayo de 2026 a las 19h30, hora local, para tratar los asuntos autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluidos los siguientes puntos.
1. Presentación del documento presupuestario.
2. Diálog o sobre todos los puntos aquí expuestos, que se someterán a votación mediante máquina de votación, en las elecciones que se celebrarán el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, tal y como se establece a continuación.
3. Diálogo sobre cualquier otro asunto que pueda surgir debidamente en la reunión.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que dicha votación y elección se celebrarán el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, a las 7h00, hora local, en los edificios escolares situados en los distritos que se enumeran a continuación:
Distrito n.º 1:
Departamento de Bomberos de Valley Stream
112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito n.º 2: Escuela William L. Buck 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito n.º 3: Escuela Brooklyn Avenue 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito n.º 4: Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York
en ese momento, las urnas estarán abiertas de 7h00 a 21h00, hora local, para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:
1. Aprobación del presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorización para que la parte necesaria del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del Distrito. 2. Elección de
tres (3) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y expirará el 30 de junio de 2029, de la siguiente manera:
a. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que sucederá a Armando Hernández, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026;
b. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que sucederá a Melissa Herrera, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026;
c. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que suceda a Cynthia Núñez (última titular, puesto actualmente vacante), cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026; la persona elegida también ocupará el cargo durante el resto del mandato no vencido a partir del 19 de mayo de 2026.
3. Presentación de las siguientes propuestas para su consideración:
a. APROBACIÓN del presupuesto de gastos propuesto por el DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream Número Veinticuatro para el año 2026-2027 por un importe de 43 131 639 dólares y para los fines indicados en el informe del mismo presentado en la reunión anual, y que dicha suma se recaude mediante un impuesto sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del distrito, tras deducir primero los fondos procedentes de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, según lo dispuesto por la ley.
b. AUTORIZACIÓN para que la Junta de Educación del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE Número Veinticuatro de Valley Stream asigne y utilice fondos del Fondo de Reserva de Capital, creado en 2024 (“Fondo de Reserva”) de conformidad con el artículo 3651 de la Ley de Educación, para los siguientes proyectos de mejora de capital: Renovación de tres (3) aulas en todo el distrito y repavimentación del aparcamiento y el patio de recreo de la escuela William L. Buck por un importe aproximado de
1 200 000 dólares, así como la ejecución de otras obras necesarias relacionadas con ello; y para que utilice recursos del Fondo de Reserva para tal fin, incluidos los costes preliminares y los costes incidentales, una cantidad que no exceda el coste total estimado de 1 200 000 dólares. c. APROBACIÓN del presupuesto de gastos propuesto por el Distrito Escolar Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, para el año 2026-2027, por un importe de 173 600 882 dólares, y que dicha suma se recaude mediante un impuesto sobre los bienes inmuebles sujetos a impuestos en el Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, tras deducir primero los fondos procedentes de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, ¿según lo dispuesto por la ley. d. AUTORIZACIÓN para que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream establezca un Fondo de Reserva de Capital con el fin de financiar mejoras de capital en las instalaciones y terrenos del Distrito, incluyendo, entre otras cosas, ampliaciones, reconstrucción, renovación, rehabilitación, expansión y equipamiento de los edificios y terrenos del Distrito; obras y mejoras en los terrenos; zonas de aparcamiento y pavimentación; aceras y bordillos; infraestructura de drenaje y servicios públicos; elementos de accesibilidad ADA (Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades); auditorios; techos; sistemas informáticos y tecnológicos; redes de datos y comunicaciones; puertas; sistemas mecánicos, eléctricos, de fontanería y sanitarios; sistemas de gestión y conservación de la energía; iluminación exterior e interior; vallas; suelos; sistemas de seguridad y extinción de incendios; sistemas de calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado; gimnasios; albañilería; tejados; sistemas de seguridad; baños; paredes; ventanas; mobiliario y equipamiento fijado de forma permanente a los edificios, y proyectos similares, junto con los costes arquitectónicos, de ingeniería y otros gastos incidentales relacionados con los mismos; con un importe

final de Reserva 15 000 intereses y con quince se financiará transferencias de fondos del fondo Distrito devengados mismos.
Y POR SE NOTIFICA que las de nominación candidatos cargo de la Junta del DISTRITO INDEPENDIENTE Valley veinticuatro presentarse secretario dicho distrito la oficina del distrito, Avenue, Nueva tardar el 2026, entre las 17h00, Todas las nominación estar firmadas menos votantes del Distrito represente los siguientes 25 votantes o el 2 % votantes las elecciones anteriores); indicar la residencia firmante, nombre del candidato. petición secretario y deberá vacante para la al candidato. vacante Educación cubrirse una vacante independiente. de Educación rechazar de nominación candidato los requisitos el cargo su falta para Los formularios las peticiones nominación obtenerse del Superintendente de Escuelas, la Escuela Buck, en Valley York, y en secretario dicho distrito
Y POR SE NOTIFICA que se registro los votantes, de conformidad artículo de Educación York o

dólares, así ejecución de necesarias con ello; y recursos Reserva incluidos los preliminares y los incidentales, una exceda estimado dólares.
APROBACIÓN del gastos Distrito Central de Valley condado de Nueva York, 2026-2027, de 173 dólares, y que recaude impuesto bienes sujetos a Distrito Secundaria Stream, tras primero los procedentes estatal y ¿según lo ley. AUTORIZACIÓN Junta de Distrito Central de Valley establezca Reserva con el financiar capital instalaciones y Distrito, entre otras ampliaciones, y de los terrenos del mejoras terrenos; zonas aparcamiento y aceras y infraestructura servicios elementos de ADA (Ley Estadounidenses Discapacidades); techos; informáticos y redes de comunicaciones; sistemas eléctricos, de sanitarios; gestión de la iluminación interior; vallas; sistemas de extinción de sistemas de ventilación acondicionado; albañilería; sistemas seguridad; paredes; mobiliario y fijado de permanente a proyectos con los arquitectónicos, y otros incidentales con los importe
final de dicho Fondo de Reserva de Capital de 15 000 000 $, más los intereses acumulados, y con un plazo de quince (15) años, que se financiará mediante transferencias del saldo de fondos no asignados del fondo general del Distrito y los intereses devengados por los mismos.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream n.º veinticuatro deberán presentarse ante el secretario del distrito de dicho distrito escolar en la oficina del secretario del distrito, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026, entre las 9h00 y las 17h00, hora local. Todas las peticiones de nominación deberán estar firmadas por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes habilitados del Distrito (lo que represente el mayor de los siguientes valores: 25 votantes habilitados o el 2 % del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales anteriores); deberán indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, así como el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada petición se dirigirá al secretario del Distrito y deberá describir la vacante específica para la que se nomina al candidato. Cada vacante de la Junta de Educación que deba cubrirse se considerará una vacante específica independiente. La Junta de Educación podrá rechazar una petición de nominación si el candidato no reúne los requisitos para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para desempeñarlo. Los formularios para las peticiones de nominación pueden obtenerse en la oficina del Superintendente de Escuelas, situada en la Escuela William L. Buck, en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y en la oficina del secretario del distrito de dicho distrito escolar.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, ya sea de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York o de conformidad
con el artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha inscrito hasta la fecha de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York y ha votado en cualquier reunión anual o extraordinaria del distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años naturales, dicho votante tiene derecho a votar en estas elecciones; si un votante está inscrito y tiene derecho a votar de conformidad con el artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también tiene derecho a votar en estas elecciones. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben inscribirse. La Junta de Inscripción se reunirá con el fin de inscribir a todos los votantes habilitados del Distrito de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación en la Escuela William L. Buck, el 11 de mayo de 2026 a las 17h30, hora local, para añadir cualquier nombre adicional a los registros que se utilizarán en la citada votación presupuestaria y elección, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre figure en dichos registros, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta, que tiene derecho, en ese momento o posteriormente, a votar en dicha votación presupuestaria y elección para la que se preparan los registros. Los registros así preparados de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación se depositarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar, situada en el Edificio Administrativo, en el 75 de Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y estarán abiertos a la inspección de cualquier votante habilitado del Distrito a partir del jueves, 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9h00 y las 15h00, hora local, los días laborables, y todos los días previos a la fecha fijada para la votación sobre el presupuesto y las elecciones, excepto los domingos y festivos, y los sábados con cita previa, así como en los colegios electorales el día de la votación sobre el presupuesto y las elecciones.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad
con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, la Junta de Inscripción se reunirá el martes, 19 de mayo de 2026, en los respectivos colegios electorales entre las 7h00 y las 21h00 horas, según la hora vigente, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión anual y las elecciones que se celebrarán en 2027, así como en cualquier reunión extraordinaria que pueda celebrarse tras la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que se incluya su nombre en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se conozca o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho, en ese momento o posteriormente, a votar en la reunión escolar o en las elecciones para las que se prepara dicho Registro.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes con discapacidad que cumplan los requisitos y deseen obtener información sobre el acceso a los colegios electorales podrán, con antelación al día de la votación, ponerse en contacto con el secretario del distrito en el número 516-4342839 para obtener información sobre la accesibilidad.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del 6 de mayo de 2026, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá solicitar consultar una copia del presupuesto propuesto acudiendo a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, situada en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York. Además, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá obtener un estado de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección en el sitio web del distrito escolar www. valleystreamschool district24.org, en la Biblioteca Henry Waldinger Memorial durante su horario habitual de apertura, situada en 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en el Centro Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, 75
Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares en los que se imparten clases entre las 9h00 y las 16h00 horas, hora local, excepto los sábados, domingos y festivos:
1. Escuela
Brooklyn Avenue, situada en el 24 de Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York;
2. la Escuela
William L. Buck, situada en el 75 de Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York; y
3. la Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro, situada en el 50 de Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York.
Y POR LA PRESENTE
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con el artículo 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito Escolar está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exenciones. Dicho informe de exenciones, que también formará parte del presupuesto definitivo, indicará qué parte del valor catastral total que figura en el registro catastral definitivo utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exenta de impuestos, enumerará todos los tipos de exención concedidos, identificados por la autoridad legal, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado bien como importe en dólares del valor catastral, bien como porcentaje del valor catastral total que figura en el registro; (b) el importe acumulado que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención en concepto de pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de voto por correo y voto anticipado podrán obtenerse durante el horario de atención al público de la escuela en la oficina del secretario
del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026. De conformidad con los artículos 2018a y 2018-e de la Ley de Educación, las solicitudes de voto por correo y voto anticipado cumplimentadas no podrán ser recibidas por el secretario del Distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y deberán ser recibidas por el secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o al agente designado en la solicitud de voto por correo o voto anticipado. Las papeletas de voto por correo y anticipado deben ser recibidas por el secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 horas, hora local, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.
La lista de personas a las que se hayan expedido papeletas de voto por correo, así como la lista de todas las personas a las que se hayan expedido papeletas de voto anticipado por correo, estarán a disposición de los votantes habilitados del Distrito para su consulta en la oficina del secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9h00 y las 16h00 los días laborables previos al día fijado para las elecciones anuales y el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, previa cita concertada llamando al secretario del distrito al 516-434-2839, así como el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, día fijado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante habilitado podrá, tras examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de la condición de votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre figure en dichas listas, indicando los motivos de dicha impugnación. Dicha impugnación por escrito será transmitida por el secretario del distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales el día de las elecciones.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente inscritos pueden solicitar su inscripción como votantes habilitados del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream
n.º 24 solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de inscripción al secretario del distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24. org o por fax al 516256-0163. La solicitud de inscripción puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir el formulario de inscripción por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de inscripción de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que sean votantes habilitados del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream n.º 24 pueden solicitar un formulario de solicitud de papeleta militar al secretario del distrito y devolver dicho formulario al secretario del distrito en persona, por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24.org o por fax al 516-2560163. Para que se expida una papeleta electoral militar a un votante militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta electoral militar en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta electoral militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se tramitarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta electoral no militar en virtud de la sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de papeleta militar y la papeleta militar del votante militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del secretario del distrito, situada en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, junto con la declaración jurada firmada por el votante que se requiere.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las papeletas militares se contarán si son recibidas por el secretario del distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, y muestran un sello del Servicio Postal de
los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestran un endoso con fecha de recepción por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 17h00 del martes 19 de mayo de 2026, y firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se compruebe que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con una norma aprobada por la Junta de Educación en virtud del artículo 2035 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, cualquier referéndum o propuesta para modificar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación, o una emisión de bonos para mejoras de capital, o cualquier otra petición que la ley exija que figure en la convocatoria de la reunión anual y las elecciones, deberá presentarse ante el secretario del distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora local, del 18 de febrero de 2026. Cualquier otra petición, salvo aquellas que la ley exija que figuren en la Convocatoria de la Asamblea Anual y las Elecciones, deberá presentarse ante el secretario del distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora local, del 20 de marzo de 2026. Todas estas peticiones deben estar escritas a máquina o impresas en inglés; deben dirigirse al secretario del distrito escolar; deben estar firmadas por al menos cien (100) votantes habilitados del distrito (lo que represente el mayor de 100 o el 5 % del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales anteriores); y deben indicar de forma legible el nombre de cada firmante. No obstante, la Junta de Educación no admitirá ninguna petición para someter a los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo objeto no esté dentro de las competencias de los votantes para decidir, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.
Jennie L. Padilla Secretaria del Distrito de la Junta de Educación DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream N.º 24 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York 159365
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY NEWREZ LLC D/B/A
SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff against VERNA LAPOINTE A/K/A VERNA FAZZOLARI LAPOINTE, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 19, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
Premises known as 77 Wood Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. Sec 37 Block 305 Lot 34. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Nassau County, New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $929,221.47 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 012056/2012. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Lisa Segal Poczik, Esq., Referee File #
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que aquellos votantes que deseen obtener información sobre esta votación presupuestaria y estas elecciones en español deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito al 516-4342839.
April 23, 2026
Students in career and technical education programs across Long Island recently received a hands-on lesson in electrical safety during a demonstration led by PSEG Long Island. The presentation focused on real-world hazards and how to respond safely, particularly for those entering construction, electrical work and emergency services.
Using its “Live Lines” trailer — a mobile safety education unit — PSEG representatives walked students through realistic scenarios that could occur both on job sites and in everyday life. The trailer features a scaled model of an electric distribution system, including utility poles, high-voltage wires and equipment commonly found in residential neighborhoods.
During the demonstration, crews simulated dangerous situations such as a live wire falling
onto a vehicle, objects coming into contact with overhead lines and downed wires interacting with metal surfaces. Students watched as electricity visibly arced and sparked, offering a clear look at the risks involved. Crews also demonstrated the effects of a transformer failure, adding both visual and auditory impact.
Representatives emphasized the importance of proper safety procedures and protective equipment, while interactive elements — including a demonstration using a hot dog to simulate electrical current — helped reinforce key concepts.
The program is part of PSEG Long Island’s ongoing effort to promote electrical safety through community outreach and education.
— Jordan Vallone and Kayla Dechter

7754956 159301
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR NOVASTAR MORTGAGE FUNDING
TRUST, SERIES 2007-1
NOVASTAR HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, Against
CAROL STARKMAN, FREDERICK STARKMAN
A/K/A FRED
STARKMAN A/K/A
FREDERICK B. STARKMAN, et al
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/11/2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 5/19/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 61 5th Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518, and described as follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land,
with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Section 042 Block 0000A-00 Lot 00220 and 00221. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $487,502.73 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 605740/2024
If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 3/20/2026 File Number: 14-309465 CA 159628
East Rockaway High School senior Andrew Chen recently showcased his research on space agriculture at the 2026 Growing Beyond Earth Symposium, a program run in partnership with NASA and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami. Participating virtually, Chen presented his findings to a panel of NASA scientists.
His project explored a key question for future space missions — whether microgravity impacts the amount of edible plant material astronauts can grow. To investigate, Chen designed and 3D-printed his own device to simulate microgravity conditions, then conducted several trials growing arugula microgreens to measure the results. Judges took particular interest in both his research and the design of his device, posing in-depth questions about his process.
ROCKAWAY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Nassau County, New York, will hold a public hearing at Village Hall, 376 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, New York, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to review and adopt the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year Budget. All interested people will be given the opportunity to be heard at the times and place herein stated. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, New York. Theresa Gaffney Village Clerk-Treasurer DATED: April 14, 2026 159782
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff -againstNONA MCDONNELL, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 9, 2026 and entered on March 11, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public
auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 27, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. premises situated, lying and being in Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as SBL# 0037-00255-00-00057. Said premises known as 17 PRESIDENT STREET, LYNBROOK, NY 11563
Approximate amount of lien $466,809.91 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 616501/2024.
HOWARD E. COLTON, ESQ., Referee Pincus & Tarab Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 {* EAST ROCKAWAY*} 159688
Richner Communications, Inc. public notice rates will increase at a minimum of 9% for all notices published on or after May 1, 2026, to reflect rising production and distribution costs. To place a public notice contact 516-569-4000 x232.
Launched in 2015, the Growing Beyond Earth program connects students to real NASA research on growing food in space. It now includes about 500 schools across the U.S. and in 10 other countries, with students contributing data that helps inform future missions.

Chen joined students from across the country at the symposium, representing East Rockaway with pride. School officials praised his commitment to scientific inquiry and his deter-
mination, noting that his work highlights how curiosity and dedication can lead to meaningful achievements.
East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School science teacher Emanuela Matthews has been named a recipient of the 2026 STEM Star Teacher Award by the Long Island STEM Education Leadership Association (LISTEMELA). Matthews will be recognized at a ceremony on May 14. The STEM Star Teacher Award honors educators who serve as a source of inspiration for their students while promoting excellence in science, technology, engineering and math education. She was selected for her strong commitment to expanding access to high-quality STEM learning and supporting student success in the
classroom.
According to LISTEMELA, the award reflects its mission of ensuring all students have equitable opportunities to engage in meaningful STEM experiences. Matthews’ dedication to that goal made her stand out among this year’s recipients.
The East Rockaway Union Free School District congratulated Matthews on the recognition, noting that her work continues to make a positive impact on students and the school community.
— Kayla Dechter

Help Wanted
Building Maintenance
Assistant and Porter needed for Management Co. in Long Beach Experience Preferred
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CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$22 - $27/ Hour
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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286








Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Valley Stream Subaru Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM Answer Phones, Light Clerical $17.00/Hour, Benefits, 401K Call Therese 516-825-8700
RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service. $17-$24/ Hr. Beach Club. 516-239-2150
SEWING MACHINE OPERATOR/ CANVAS FABRICATOR For Awning And Canvas Manufacturing Co. Experience Helpful But Will Train. Call/Text Tommy 516-250-8094;







I don’t have a permit yet, but I do have an impatient contractor
Q. I have been through a year of permits. My architect warned me it could take this long, but I didn’t believe them. My neighbor did the same addition and told me it would only take a few weeks for a permit, but then I learned they didn’t even get permits, and I’m really wondering if I should have done the same thing. I follow your column and can now attest to what you’ve been saying. We had to get a zoning variance, and it took many, many months certainly not a few weeks. Now we’re right at the end, and I’ve been assured by the building department that we’re “almost there.” Funny thing is, I still don’t have a permit, and my contractor is ready to move on to another project if we don’t start now. Should I just get started, to keep my contractor, knowing I’ll have the permit soon, or will there be problems if I do?
A. Getting started ahead of having a permit in hand is problematic. A licensed professional should never advise someone to deviate from an ordinance, law or building code. This issue ties directly into my last two columns about the New York state campaign to “Let Them Build.” Delays are costly. Between fuel increases and tariffs, every day makes a difference when it comes to the cost of construction.

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Building authorities won’t directly tell you that you could start without your permit, even if the permit is almost there. They do, however, have a method referred to as a “maintain” permit, where they recognize work that was already done and review it with an increased fee, in most cases. By doing so, they’re accommodating people to start construction without permits, even if they wouldn’t say so. It’s understandable that you feel you’re doing everything right, and shouldn’t be penalized for having done so, and therefore want to just start, already.
When you look over at your neighbor’s home, you may be compelled to follow their example, but remember, they, or some owner of that property in the future, will still have to file with building plans, even after the fact. When that happens, the building codes may have changed, or things that they did may not be compliant and will need reconstructing. This isn’t always the case, but when a professional is called to figure out what someone constructed and then to draw plans, after the fact, they find things that don’t always work out smoothly. It isn’t uncommon, when plans haven’t been reviewed and permitted, to find structure undersized, room sizes and ceiling heights smaller than allowed, not enough windows or the wrong-sized windows to meet light, ventilation and fire escape requirements, and more.
You’re doing this project the right way, and even though nobody will tell you that you can just start, there seem to be ways to condone your doing so.
Good luck!
































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Three years ago this week, I had what I’ve called my “unexpected medical adventure.” As I described to readers then, it was a life-altering experience with a very good ending.

It all began innocuously enough, with a routine endoscopy for acid reflux in the summer of 2017 by my gastroenterologist, Dr. Michael Barth. As expected, the procedure turned up nothing, and Barth simply prescribed a medication, which I took regularly. Over the next few years, I had few symptoms, and put off my fiveyear follow-up endoscopy.
Finally, at Barth’s insistence, I scheduled another endoscopy in March 2023. I had no concern. Just closing the loop. Just another test guys my age go through. Imagine my surprise when I woke up from the procedure and Barth told me that he’d found a protrusion in my stomach wall. While he thought it was benign, he recommended that I see Dr. Arvino Trini-
dade, a specialist at Northwell, who scheduled a biopsy at Long Island Jewish hospital.
Melissa Zimmerman, a retired Nassau County Police Department detective who’d been on my security detail when I was in Congress, offered to drive me and Rosemary to the hospital. Before I was taken into the operating room, Trinidade told me he thought there was nothing there. But when I woke up, he told me there was a tumor, and it was probably malignant. Four days later, Barth and Trinidade called to confirm it. But they were confident of a good outcome, and told me the surgery would be done at LIJ by Dr. Matthew Weiss, a premier cancer surgeon.
iWABC-AM studios in Manhattan and attended a political dinner at King Umberto’s in Elmont. I told almost nobody about the upcoming surgery. With a day to go, I began a liquid diet, with Jell-O being the closest thing to solid food.
’ve become more aware of those who receive more severe diagnoses than mine.
That afternoon, Weiss called and told me I should be confident of complete success. He casually told me to “enjoy the weekend.” That evening, Rosemary and I had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan with Zimmerman and her husband, Lance.
The following week, I had appointments at Northwell, saw my cardiologist in Manhattan to get his sign-off on the operation, did several radio shows at the
Early Monday morning, Zimmerman again drove us to the hospital. By 6:30 I was ready for showtime. Lying on a gurney with an intravenous tube in my arm, I was wheeled into the operating room, a science fiction-style enclosure crowded with doctors, nurses, bright lights and a table filled with knives and scissors. An epidural was painlessly inserted in my spine, and an anesthesia mask placed over my face.
The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room, and Rosemary was telling me that Weiss said that all had gone well. I had no significant pain — unless I moved or reached for something. Each day the pain receded, and I was able to walk a little more. When I was discharged the following Saturday, I walked from the hospital to the car.
At home I was able to eat regularly, felt nothing more than soreness at the
incision site and, after a week or so, was outside, walking a few more blocks each day. As the doctors had predicted, all follow-up tests showed complete success. I recounted much of this to readers at the time. Now, having had three years to reflect and put it all in perspective, I appreciate more than ever how fortunate I’ve been: Barth urging me to get the “routine” endoscopy; Trindade and Weiss being ultimate professionals; and having strong family support from Rosemary; my son, Sean; my daughter, Erin; and my sister, Barbara, who’s a nurse. There were also the friends who took the time to visit me in the hospital or call to wish me luck.
I’ve also become increasingly aware of the many people who receive much more severe diagnoses than I had, which do not end well. I was also fortunate to have access to outstanding medical care at a first-rate hospital. (To the naysayers and critics, I didn’t have any congressional or federal health insurance.) I’m also grateful that I broke loose from the traditional Irish suspicion and distrust of doctors and hospitals. Yes, I’m a lucky guy!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
These nearly two months of war in Iran have me, and countless others, more on edge than we have ever been. The idea that a conflict in the Middle East could become World War III is very unsettling. When a war is that far away and the parties themselves have a long history of bickering, our lives become unsettled, and we need diversions.

To blot out the talking heads on Fox, MS Now and CNN, I found myself looking for other distractions beyond my work as a government-affairs specialist. I watched some sports events, tuning to NCAA baskeball’s Final Four, hoping to relax. To my surprise, those games could ruin your sleep if you watched every upset. I was rooting for St. John’s, and when the junior point guard Dylan Darling sank a driving, buzzer-beating layup to beat Kansas and send the Red Storm to their first Sweet 16 in 27 years,
I almost fell off my chair.
A lot of the other games had surprise endings, and when the final ended with a Michigan victory, I realized that watching the tournament wasn’t the best way to avoid nail-biting. So I turned to other sports, and anything that would distract me from all the news about the Israelis killing Iranian leaders one by one. I got some initial relief watching a women’s pro hockey game between New York Sirens and the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden. It was nice to watch a no-nonsense game that attracted a record crowd of 18,000 .
pages unnerved me, when he lavished praise on the recently ousted attorney general, Pam Bondi.
s t. John’s basketball. Women’s hockey. Testing Negative for Stupid — and more.
I also watched the women’s basketball national championship. There were quite a few nervous moments until the final game, when UCLA won its first national title.
Then I decided to do some casual reading, and started with Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy’s new book, titled “How to Test Negative for Stupid, And Why Washington Never Will.” Most of its 224 pages are a lot of fun, thanks to Kennedy’s folksy humor, but the last 30
Rather than move on to a new book, I turned my attention to my streaming television services, Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, in the hope of finding some feelgood movies. When I opened them up, they offered me such calming films as “Supernatural,” “Scream,” “Send Help,” “Sinners” and “The Substance.” I know there are other offerings, but most of the feel-good movies are old and I’ve already seen them. All my life, I’ve loved good comedy. I cherish the great old names like Jackie Mason, Henny Youngman, Buddy Hackett, Jerry Lewis, Jackie Gleason, George Carlin, Don Rickles and Lenny Bruce. Occasionally I stumble on one of these legends on Facebook, and try to share their comedy with people around me. Regrettably, there are no comedians these days that give me the same belly laughs that I got from those giants. My grandson in Los Angeles heads up a unit of Netflix that promotes a number of comedians, but I haven’t adapted to their new style.
So where do I go for some badly needed diversion? I’m a devout Knicks and Yankees fan, but there’s no way I can get a Knicks playoff ticket without paying big dollars. I love going to Yankees games, too, but their tickets are getting pricier, so I limit my purchases to no more than three games. I enjoy watching major golf tournaments, but sometimes you feel as if the announcers will put you to sleep with their commentary. I am looking forward to the U.S. Open in June, though.
Some of us are lucky to have hobbies that help us escape the pressures of today’s headlines. I love writing and making speeches, but neither lulls you into a peaceful state of mind. Short of moving to Antarctica, where I imagine you can avoid the daily news horrors, I’ll keep trying to find some other relaxing activity. I still watch TV for the weather reports, but goodbye to the other channels.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
as spring returns and families stream back to neighborhood parks, playgrounds quickly reclaim their place as a focus of community life. They are where children test their limits, build confidence and simply enjoy being kids.
But beneath that joy lies a sobering reality: More than 200,000 children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are injured on playgrounds each year in the United States — many in ways that are preventable.
That’s why National Playground Safety Week, April 20-24, should be treated as more than a symbolic observance. It is a necessary prompt for parents, caregivers, schools and local officials to refocus on safety as playground use surges.
Playgrounds were never meant to be spaces for careless behavior. In fact, they were created with safety and development in mind. In the 19th century, educators such as Friedrich Fröbel promoted the idea of structured play as essential to childhood growth, helping to instill cooperation, coordination and social skills.
As cities grew more crowded and streets more dangerous with the rise of motor vehicles, playgrounds became protected environments where children could play away from traffic and other hazards. Early efforts by civic groups and park advocates helped establish designated play areas as a public safety measure — a mission that still resonates today.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.
We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
In the U.S., the Outdoor Recreation League funded the building of playgrounds on parkland after newspapers reported on the high number of children run down by cars in New York. One of the first recreational areas in America was built in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 1887.
Yet even within these safer spaces, risks remain — especially after months of winter wear and limited use. Equipment may have loosened, surfaces can degrade, and aging structures may no longer meet modern safety standards. The playgrounds’ young users, meanwhile, return with pent-up energy, eager to climb higher and move faster than conditions safely allow. Caregivers often distracted by cell phones only add to the challenge.
Preventing injuries doesn’t require diminishing the joy of play, but does require managing the environment around it. The National Program for Play Area Safety is a nonprofit organization that emphasizes practical, researchbased strategies that communities can adopt. Chief among them is active, attentive supervision. Its “ABC” model — Anticipating hazards, Behaving in ways that guide safe play and Considering the unique needs of each playground — makes clear that safety is not passive. It is intentional.
The program builds on a 30-year initiative started at the University of Northern Iowa to help communities and organizations ensure safe, high-quality
playgrounds. It promotes best practices grounded in research, guidelines and standards while collaborating with agencies at the local, state, national and international levels.
Equally important is age-appropriate design. When younger children use equipment meant for older users, the risk of falls and misuse increases. Clear guidance and thoughtful layout can help families make safer choices without limiting exploration.
Communities must also prioritize proper surfacing and regular inspections, particularly in early spring. What lies beneath a child’s feet can determine whether a fall results in a minor scrape or a serious injury.
Safety extends further still. Accessibility ensures that all children can benefit from outdoor play, while attention to thermal comfort — such as shaded areas and heat-safe materials — helps protect children from high temperatures.
National Playground Safety Week offers a timely reminder, but it should also serve as a starting point. The original purpose of playgrounds — to give children a safe place to grow, learn and play — demands ongoing attention.
A quick inspection, a watchful eye and a renewed awareness can go a long way. With thoughtful action at the start of the season, communities can ensure that playgrounds remain what they were always meant to be: spaces of safe discovery, not preventable harm.
We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.


ong Island’s “hidden workforce” of family caregivers faces very visible challenges. The term is frequently used to describe family caregivers who, while not employed by our health care system, play a critical role in it. They don’t wear uniforms or ID badges, but this massive workforce of more than 329,000 Long Islanders provides over 307 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $5.7 billion, per year, according to AARP New York data released in February. Nationally, nearly one in four American adults provided ongoing care to an adult or child with a complex medical condition or disability in the past year, a 2025 report, by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, found. Almost 25 percent of those people reported giving more than 40 hours of care per week, the equivalent of a full-time job, for free. Taking on the unpaid labor of love of caring for a family member can be both extremely rewarding and enormously straining. Emotionally, caregivers may struggle with stress, anxiety, guilt and social isolation. Physically, they may
increase their own health risks with the stress and exhaustion of helping loved ones with daily activities they can no longer manage alone.
Financially, that can cause hardships such as reduced work hours, loss of employment or new debt to cover care-related expenses, especially for middleaged people balancing their caregiving responsibilities with the demands of jobs and raising children.
The workload is even greater for the 60,000-plus Long Island families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness.
w
Like all workers, family caregivers need breaks, but they frequently forgo their own needs to prioritize someone else’s. Repeatedly making this sacrifice, while well-intended, is ultimately detrimental for both them and their loved ones. Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.
hen it comes to caregiving, Rosalynn Carter couldn’t have said it better.
Roughly 80 percent of people living with dementia receive care at home, primarily from unpaid family members. Along with assisting with medication management, bathing, dressing, transportation, meal preparation and financial oversight, dementia family caregivers also face unique challenges caused by the disease’s impact on a person’s memory, behavior and independence. Sufferers may forget who their loved ones are, manifest personality changes like agitation, aggression and hallucinations, and wander from safety. Their caregivers face higher risks of anxiety, depression, burnout and declining quality of life.
Framework by Tim Baker
One of the most important things caregivers can do is take advantage of support resources. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free caregiver support groups at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville, where people caring for loved ones with dementia can connect and share with others who are going through similar experiences. Caregivers can learn more and register by calling the Center at (631) 223-4000. AFA also has a free Helpline — (866) 232-8484 — that provides caregiver support seven days a week.
Nassau and Suffolk counties’ Offices for the Aging are available to provide support and guidance to family caregivers about local, state and federal assistance programs. Local nonprofit organizations, libraries and religious institutions often have caregiver services available, which can include support groups, educational and training pro-
grams or financial assistance.
Finally, don’t be afraid, reluctant or embarrassed to ask for, or accept, help. Seeking help is a sign of neither weakness nor failure; it is an essential step toward sustaining the ability to care for a loved one. Other relatives or friends are often eager to help but don’t know exactly how; embrace these offers and explain specific things that would be helpful, such as spending time with the person so you can run errands, assisting with meals or providing transportation. Offering options allows the volunteer to decide what they are comfortable doing, while ensuring that it’s something that will be helpful.
If you know someone who’s a family caregiver, check in on them periodically and offer your help. Seemingly little things can make an enormous difference.
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, a lifelong caregiver advocate, once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Her words reinforce the crucial need to support and prioritize Long Island’s “hidden workforce” that all of us will either be part of or depend on one day.
Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. is president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and a Merrick resident.










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