SCHOOL BUDGET RESULTS __________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD
GUS LAFKAS
xxx school district
LICENSED ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER
√ PASSED 0 VOTES
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MPLIMEN For more schoolCOelection results information, TARY HO ME VALUATION go to liherald.com/xxx Record setting
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Vol. 29 No. 21
OVER 25 YEARS OF EXP ERIENCE
MAY 21 - 27, 2026
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2300 MERRICK ROAD ����� 516-623-2771 • , MERRICK, NY 11566 ������ 516-445-0657 gus.lafkas@elliman.com Residential/Commercia l
SCHOOL BUDGET RESULTS
Merrick voters FAILED backXbudgets, incumbents xxx school district
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By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations.
After first weekday disruption, LIRR strike ends, trains back on Tuesday By BRIAN KACHARABA AND HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ Of the Herald
The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, officials announced at an evening news conference. For commuters in Bellmore and Merrick, where thousands rely on the LIRR daily to reach Manhattan, the announcement brought immediate relief after three days of scrambling for alternate transportation, including carpools, shuttle buses, and long drives to connecting transit hubs. “I usually leave Bellmore around 5:30 a.m. to get into Penn Station,” said Thomas Lazo, a Bellmore resident who works in Midtown Manhattan. “Without the train, I had to drive out to a friend’s house in Rockville Centre and carpool the rest of the way in. It added
almost an hour, but there wasn’t really another option.” U n i o n a n d M TA r e p r e s e n t a t ive s announced the deal after negotiations resumed in the afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that had halted service and caused widespread travel disruptions across Long Island and into New York City. “We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.” Sexton said that details of the agreement would not be released immediately, citing the need for member review ahead of ratification votes. However, public radio station WNYC reported that the four-year deal includes retConTInued on pAge 3
Residents in the Merrick and North Merrick school districts approved budgets for the 2026-27 school year during the May 19 Board of Education elections, while incumbents in both districts won re-election in uncontested races. Voters in the Merrick Union Free School District approved the district’s $63.8 million budget by a vote of 527-155. District of ficials said the proposal maintains programs, staffing levels and student services while continuing investments in instruction, wellness initiatives and school safety. The district’s tax levy increase of 1.73 percent remained within the state’s allowable cap. Mer rick voters also approved Proposition No. 2, authorizing the use of $2.2 million in capital reserve funds for roof replacements at Birch School and Nor man J. Levy Lakeside School, along with a boiler replacement at Birch. The proposition passed 559-119. Of ficials said the work is expected to be completed during summer 2027 with no addi-
tional tax impact to residents. District leaders said the project is part of ongoing efforts to maintain school facilities and address long-term infrastructure needs throughout the district. In the North Merrick Union Free School District, residents approved the district’s $44.3 million budget by a 310-158 vote. Officials said the spending plan continues to prioritize instruction, innovation and student achievement. North Merrick’s tax levy increase of 2.53 percent also remained within the allowable state limit. In Merrick, incumbents Jill Levine and Nicole Venditti won re-election to the Board of Education with 530 and 649 votes, respectively. In North Merrick, incumbents Ed Corona and Tracey Miller were also reelected, earning 340 and 318 votes, respectively. Voters in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District approved the district’s $210 million budget by a 2,133852 vote. Voters also approved Proposition No. 2 by a 2,317-665 vote and Proposition No. 3 by a 2,219-705 margin.