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Union leaders fight for pension equity Page 3
VOL. 71 NO. 15
APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2026
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Massapequa School Board adopts $254.7M budget for 2026-27 By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
Mike Polansky/Herald photos
School Board members (L to R) Board President Joseph Beyrouty, Vice President Michael Morrissey and Board member Joseph Garcia.
Plainedge BOE appoints district’s next Superintendent: Christopher R. Zublionis districts. He later moved into administrative roles, serving as director of social studies, principal of Sea Cliff Elementary School, assistant The Plainedge Board of Education unani- superintendent for curriculum and instruction, mously appointed Christopher R. Zublionis as and ultimately superintendent of North Shore the district’s next superintendent at its April schools. Zublionis holds multiple advanced degrees, 21 meeting, selecting a veteran educator with including a doctorate in nearly three decades of excurriculum and instrucperience in public schools. tion, as well as certificaZublionis, who curtions in school and district rently serves as superleadership. He earned a intendent of the North master’s degree in social Shore Central School Disstudies education from trict — which includes Teachers College at CoGlen Head, Sea Cliff and lumbia University and Glenwood Landing — will has taught graduate-level assume his new role on courses while presenting July 1. His contract runs at conferences on curthrough June 30, 2031. riculum development, Over a 27-year career, research and professional Zublionis has held a range learning. of positions in education. The appointment folHe began as a social studlows the resignation of ies teacher, baseball coach former superintendent and union building representative in the West Bab- New Plainedge Superintendent Christopher Edward Salina on Sept. 9. ylon and Syosset school R. Zublionis.
By MIKE POLANSKY
Senior Correspondent
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
The Massapequa Board of Education unanimously adopted a $254,669,633 budget for the 2026-27 school year at its April 16 meeting, setting the stage for a public vote next month. The spending plan includes a tax levy increase of $7,173,563, or 3.9 percent, which remains below the state-imposed cap of 4.5 percent. The tax levy represents the portion of the budget funded by local property taxes. If approved by voters on May 19, the owner of an average home in the district is projected to see an annual school tax increase of about $385. District officials also anticipate receiving $49,978,978 in foundation aid from New York State, a 5.47 percent increase over the current year. While the state budget has not yet been finalized, Assistant Superintendent for Business Ryan Ruf said projections are based on the most current information available. “Based on current discussions coming out of Albany regarding school aid, I do not anticipate any major changes,” Ruf said, noting that districts typically see increases between the governor’s proposed and final budgets. In presenting the budget, Ruf emphasized the district’s outreach efforts, noting that he and Superintendent Dr. William
Brennan have scheduled 19 presentations to PTA groups, faculty and community organizations ahead of the vote. A public hearing on the budget is set for May 7 at 8 p.m. in the Massapequa High School auditorium. Polls for the May 19 vote will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to consider a proposition authorizing the use of $4 million from the district’s capital reserve fund for a series of upgrades, including security improvements, science room enhancements, stadium renovations, audiovisual upgrades, improvements to the high school broadcast studio and replacement of the main gym floor. Because the funds are already in reserve, the projects would have no impact on the tax levy. Residents will also vote to elect two members of the Board of Education, and one member of the Massapequa Public Library board. Running for two seats on the school board are: Lynn Russo, Robert Bonett, Danielle Ocuto, and Cher Lepe. Running unopposed on the library board is Catherine Reilly. In other business, the board heard a presentation from Dr. Michelle Walsh, assistant superintendent for instructional services, who outlined the district’s elementary school programs and CONTINUED ON PAGE 5