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Board adopts budget amid tough cuts roles, along with 40 teacherassistant positions and one administrative post. Rockville Centre school offiAdditional reductions come cials adopted the district’s through retirements and cuts $141.3 million 2026-27 budget to clerical staff, bus matrons last week, approving a spend- and facilitator stipends, as the ing plan that restores some key district works to align staffing staff positions but includes sig- with declining enrollment. nificant reductions in a numThe spending plan carries a ber of areas, while 2.06 percent tax levy ke e p i n g t h e t a x increase, or about increase below the $2.25 million, while state cap. remaining under T h e vo t e t o o k the state-imposed place at a packed cap. The Board of preliminary budget Education said the hearing in the increase translates South Side High to an estimated School Commons annual tax hike of Room on April 16. about $309 for an School officials said average Rockville t h e 1 . 0 3 p e rc e n t Centre home, spending increase though final reflects adjustments amounts will vary Jeff GReeNfIeld based on Nassau made after weeks of community feed - Village resident County assessback, discussions ments. with the teachers’ union and Board President Kelly Bary, internal review. Vice President Donna DownWhile the budget restores 13 ing, Secretary Janet Gruner facilitator positions — experi- and Trustee Tara Hackett voted enced teachers who provide to approve the budget. Gruner instructional leadership and emphasized that while deciprogram coordination — the sions on spending are difficult plan includes notable staffing and emotionally charged for reductions. Overall, the district families, staff and students will eliminate 22.2 teaching alike, they are necessary to positions, including 19 excessed Continued on page 13
By BRIAN KACHARABA
bkacharaba@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Play Ball! Noel Duran, left, Marston Sharad and Matt Bent proudly hold the Rockville Centre Little League banner during post-parade festivities on Opening Day at Hickey Field last Saturday, marking the start of the league’s 75th season. The annual celebration brought players, families, and the community together to kick off another year of baseball. Story, more photos, Pages 14-15.
Education Foundation marks 35 years of classroom support By AlYSSA R. GRIffIN agriffin@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Education Foundation will mark a milestone this spring, celebrating 35 years of supporting local students and teachers with a communitywide celebration rather than a traditional awards ceremony. Set for May 2, at Gatsby on the Ocean at Jones Beach, the foundation’s annual gala will highlight decades of volunteer-driven impact while raising funds to continue its work in classrooms across the district. “We just call it our 35th birthday to make it simple,” board member Peter Sharoff said.
“We’re not doing an honor for anyone other than ourselves. So this time, it’s really just a big party.” Founded in the early 1990s, the all-volunteer organization has quietly shaped students’ educational experience in Rockville Centre, raising more than $1 million for classroom grants and student scholarships. Its model is simple but flexible: Teachers apply for funding for initiatives that fall outside traditional school budgets, often experimental projects, new technologies or specialized tools designed to enhance learning. “We’re an independent nonprofit, so that’s why we can give to the schools, the libraries, the Continued on page 8
Y
ou lost the confidence of the community as shepherds and stewards of our money.