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UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
Hands-on Pi Day at museum
A bishop’s easter greeting
The unequal cost of water
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VOL. 76 NO. 14
APRIL 2 - 8, 2026
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Instructional costs impact school budget “We have worked very hard to make sure that we have a fiscally responsible budget in this area,” The Uniondale Board of Edu- Bernadette Lignato, Uniondale cation held its second budget School District’s assistant superdevelopment workshop, outlining intendent for business, said. The proposed budget reprea proposed 2026-27 spending plan that includes a 2.8 percent sents a 3.76 percent increase over increase, in administrative costs this year’s budget. The adminisand a 3.4 percent increase in pro- trative portion would rise to $23.1 million, up 2.88 pergraming as the discent, from this trict works toward years $22.5 million managing rising while the instruccosts. tional portion — The presentaabout 82 percent of tion, held on the total budget — March 22 at Grand would increase by Avenue Elementaroughly $8.2 milry School in Baldlion. Overall, the win, is one out of a district is proposthree-part budget, ing more than $245 which also million in spendincludes the capital ing for programing component that compared to this was reviewed on BeRNADeTTe years $236 million. March 10. LIGNATO Lignato said the The instructiondistrict might see al, or program, por- Assistant superintendent some savings from tion — the largest for business, Uniondale adjustments to coshare of the budget school district curricular activi— is driving most of the increase, covering the sala- ties, with the number of clubs ries of teachers and classroom and programs potentially changsupport staff, as well as expenses ing based on student enrollment for supplies and student services and interest. No specific clubs across the district. The district were identified for reduction. “We have been able to mainemploys nearly 500 teachers, along with dozens of teaching tain this through careful planassistants and aides.
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
W
Tim Baker/Herald
We are Lawrence Road The Lawrence Road Middle School marching band made its way through Rockville Centre in the village’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 22. Student musicians performed Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” among other numbers, joining pipe-and-drum units and marching bands from across Long Island in a celebration led by Grand Marshal Bill Hogan.
Legislator honors women of all ages By ABBY GIBSON & STACY DRIKS of the Herald
Seven women and members of the Uniondale High School girls’ wrestling team were honored by Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks at the Peter J. Schmitt Legislative Chamber on March 25. The celebration recognized leadership, business success and community impact in honor of Women’s History Month. “Women’s History Month is not just a date on the calendar, but it is the living, breathing proof that when women show up, things happen,” Nicks, who represents part of Uniondale and West Hempstead, said. The Uniondale High School show choir — a
student vocal ensemble known for combining singing, choreography and theatrical performance — gave one of its first performances since earning first place at the Fame Show Choir America competition in Orlando on March 22.
The girls’ wrestling team
The wrestling team received the legislatures Youth Award, and junior Captain Keishara Tulloch reflected on what she and her teammates have learned. “This sport has taught us so many lessons, not just on the mat, but in our day-to-day life that we can use: determination, arriving on time, being at every practice,” Tulloch said. “We’re smart, Continued on page 10
e have worked very hard to make sure that we have a fiscally responsible budget in this area.
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