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Vol. 37 No. 14
APRIl 2 - 8, 2026
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Old is gold on the dance floor Pacemakers show age is no limit with high-energy routines By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald
Pacemakers Joanne Wolfring, 63, left, Susan Avery, 65, Pam Abikaram, 69, Sandy Russell, 75, and Phyllis Bogart, 79, showed that you’re never too old, as they danced with the Rockville Centre Homemakers, displaying their birth years with pride.
The Pacemakers, a dance team for seniors, brought energy, movement and a message of empowerment to the Rockville Centre Recreation Center last week, partnering with the Rockville Centre Homemakers to inspire older residents to stay active and embrace aging with confidence. Residents from around the area gathered on March 24 to get their groove on alongside the women, who are determined to show that growing older is anything but limiting. Members of the Pacemakers guided attendees through a variety of dance moves, encouraging them to let loose and have fun. “We will be dancing to ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It,’ by Twisted Sister,” Maryann Grandazza, co-president Continued on PAge 11
Board restores two teaching jobs in revised budget By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN & BRIAN KACHARABA of the Herald
Rockville Centre school officials have restored two teaching positions in the proposed 2026-27 budget in response to community feedback, while maintaining most previously planned reductions to help close a multimillion-dollar spending gap. The revised proposal, presented March 26 at a Board of Education public work session at South Side High School, takes into account updated enrollment projections in adding back one elementary teach-
ing position and one speech teacher tied to the transition from Committee on Preschool Special Education services to Committee on Special Education. District Superintendent Matthew Gaven explained that the elementary position is a second-grade teacher at Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School, added after a 26th student enrolled March 20, triggering the need for another class section. “We generally aim for 25 students in a classroom,” Gaven said. “When you reach 26, we typically have to split a section.”
The initial budget gap of roughly $6 million has been reduced to about $3.2 million after retirements, staf fing adjustments and other cost-saving measures. Earlier proposals called for the elimination of 24.2 teaching p o s i t i o n s — i n cl u d i n g 2 2 excessed roles — along with 40 teaching-assistant positions. Those reductions, combined with 12 teacher retirements, account for nearly $3 million in savings from teaching positions and about $950,000 from teaching assistants. The cuts include two teachers each in math and social studies, and one each in English
Language Arts, science, art and physical education, along with several world language, academic intervention services and positions in STELLAR, a program supporting students in technology, enrichment, literacy, library studies and research. Separate special-education staf fing changes include a reduction of 7.8 teaching posi-
tions tied to retirements and program needs. The plan drew sharp criticism from residents at a meeting on March 12, particularly over the potential impact on small-group instruction, special-education services and overall classroom support. Officials said the remaining Continued on PAge 13