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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2025
Tentative school budget numbers presented to Massapequa BOE By MIKE POLANSKY Correspondent
The tentative shape of the 2025-2026 Massapequa school district budget was outlined in the first of three budget presentations to the Board of Education on Feb. 6. Ryan Ruf, the school district’s Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations who made the presentation, noted that the district is facing an expenditure increase of $7,171,055 in the preliminary “rollover budget.” Of this amount, $4,194,326 would go toward salaries and benefits, while $1,179,354 is needed to cover increased special education costs. He reminded
the board that 74 percent of the budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits. He then provided a detailed review of the general support portion of the budget, including expenses related to the Board of Education, district clerk, district meetings, the superintendent’s office, business office, auditors, legal services, human resources, public information, and buildings and grounds maintenance and security. Ruf also highlighted a significant increase in electricity and natural gas costs for the 20252026 budget. However, he pointed out that once the district transitions to solar energy, it will CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Oyster Bay Town Board appoints Andrew Monteleone new councilman By MIKE POLANSKY Correspondent
Andrew Monteleone, a Syosset attorney, has been appointed to the Oyster Bay Town Board, filling the vacancy left by Councilwoman Michelle Johnson, who was elected District Court Judge in November. “Oyster Bay will benefit greatly from Andrew Monteleone’s experience, leadership, and dedication to the community,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “His legal expertise, commitment to youth programs, and passion for preserving our suburban way of life make him a valuable addition to the Town Board. I look forward to collaborating with him to continue providing responsible governance for our residents.” Monteleone expressed his appreciation for the appointment. “It is an incredible honor to be appointed to the Oyster Bay Town Board,” he said. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me, and I look forward to working tirelessly on behalf of our residents. Oyster Bay is a special place to live, work, and raise a family, and I am committed to preserving the values that make our town so great.” Monteleone is a graduate of Chaminade High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University, a master’s degree from C.W. Post, and a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham Law School.
Andrew Monteleone
Photo Courtesy/Town of Oyster Bay
He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County before transitioning to private practice, specializing in personal injury litigation and estate planning. He has held leadership positions in the legal community, including as president of the Former Assistant District Attorneys Association and as a board member of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Nassau County. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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Dan Kiernan advances in “The Voice” Page 10
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New bill proposes adding heart checks to school physicals By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
A new bill introduced by Assemblyman Michael Durso and Senator Alexis Weik would require New York schools to include an EKG as part of regular sports physicals. An EKG is a non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound to assess the heart’s structure and function. If abnormalities are detected, doctors typically recommend a more invasive test, an electrocardiogram. The bill, known as Connor’s Law, is named in memory of Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old athlete from the Massapequa School District who died during a charity hockey game in Bethpage. Connor collapsed on the ice during an intermission at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center. Bystanders performed CPR until paramedics arrived and transported him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Connor, a senior, was an avid hockey player. At the time of his death, he was participating in a memorial game for Sabrina Navaretta, a 19-year-old Syosset graduate who died in a car crash in 2023. “It turned out that Connor had a heart irregularity that might have been detected by an EKG,” Durso said. “Adding an EKG to a student’s physi-
A state bill in memory of Connor Kasin of Massapequa High School has been proposed. cal—especially for studentathletes—could uncover these issues sooner and possibly save lives.” Durso noted that most of the costs for these procedures are covered by insurance. He also said the bill would increase awareness and evaluation of student health, particularly for athletes. He added that Assembly Bill A2718 has been well received in Albany and has several cosponsors in both the Senate and Assembly.