SCHOOL BUDGET RESULTS _________ Oceanside/island park ________
HERALD
KOTLER’S √ PASSED WE BUY 0 VOTES GOLD
xxx school district
For more school election results information, go to liherald.com/xxx
Students serve up stress relief
Teddy bears and safety care
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VOL. 61 NO. 21
MAY 21 - 27, 2026
516-897-6003 kotlers.com
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SCHOOL BUDGET RESULTS
OCE, I.P. school X FAILED budgets pass xxx school district
By ABIGAIL GRIECO
0 VOTES munity, and we want people to
know why their vote matters For moreand school election results information, what impact it has,” OceanOceanside Island Park and side school board President go to liherald.com/xxx school district voters approved their 2026-27 budgets on Tues- Michael D’Ambrosio said. Incumbent Trustees Sandie day, passing spending plans that preserve programs and Schoell, Donald Maresca and staffing while funding capital Laura Lisi ran unopposed for three-year terms on the Board projects in Oceanside. I n O c e a n s i d e , v o t e r s of Education. Schoell received approved the $192.4 million bud- 1,321 votes, Maresca garnered 1,252 and Lisi get, 1,359-496. The received 1,236. spending plan is In Island Park, 3.06 percent largvoters approved er than the cura $48.1 million rent budget of budget, 280-112. $186.7 million. The spending The tax levy will plan is 6.79 perincrease 2.28 percent larger than cent, from $131.8 the current budmillion to $134.8 get of $45 milmillion, matching lion. The tax levy the district’s taxwill remain cap limit. unchanged at The Oceanside MICHAEL D’AMBROSIO $34.3 million. budget includes a The Island 1 . 2 5 p e r c e n t President, Oceanside Park spending t e a ch e r s a l a r y Board of Education increase as well as a full step plan budget includes a 1.25 perincrease, with no reductions in cent increase in teacher salaries, as well as a 2.45 percent teachers, staff or programs. Voters also approved a capital step increase. The district plans to add one teacher and reserve proposition by a count of 1,408-420, allowing the district to has no reductions planned use $5.8 million for projects staff or programs. Incumbent Kathleen including resurfacing the high school track and renovating McDonough, who ran unopbathrooms, without affecting the posed for a five-year term on the Board of Education, tax levy. “We’re grateful to the com- received 327 votes. agrieco@liherald.com
Billy Harrison/Herald
Sip, bite, donate Oceanside Kiwanis Club Chairman Nancy Baxte and members Lynn Cesiro, Tracey Capobianco and Maria Osgood enjoyed shots of tequila and bites of lime, as the club hosted its annual “Take a Bite Out of Lyme” fundraiser on May 8 at J. Paul’s Terrace Café, raising money and awareness for the Kiwanis Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation. Story, more photos, page 10.
L.I. Rail Road and MTA strike a deal By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
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. The agreement ended a work stoppage that had halted LIRR service since early Saturday and caused widespread travel disruptions across Long Island and New York City. Service was expected to return in phases beginning Tuesday, offering relief to commuters in Oceanside, Island Park and across the South Shore who had spent days weighing remote work, carpools, subway connections and other backup plans. “We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the spokesman for the Long
Island Rail Road 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 because union members still needed to review the tentative deal before ratification votes. Public radio station WNYC reported that the four-year deal includes retroactive pay and expires in July 2027. “Due to the nature of the negotiations, we cannot discuss the specifics,” Sexton said. “What I can say is we are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region.” He added that releasing details too soon could complicate ratification. “We don’t want to fail ratification,” Sexton said. “If they get part of this story through the media, it may impact their decision.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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e’re grateful to the community, and we want people to know why their vote matters and what impact it has.