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Friday, July 10, 2026
Vol. 86, No. 28
Town upgrades neighborhood parklet
Syosset School Board chooses new leaders BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Town of Oyster Bay recently unveiled improvements to a parklet on Locust Avenue in Old Bethpage. The Town of Oyster Bay recently joined with the charitable organization ‘Kids Helping Kids’ to unveil a major beautification and upgrade project at neighborhood Parklet P18, located on Locust Avenue in Old Bethpage. Supervisor Saladino and the Town Board approved capital funds to purchase and install a new playground, new picnic tables and benches, along with upgrades
to the basketball court. To complement these upgrades, Kids Helping Kids donated numerous perennials and planted them throughout the park. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “This beautiful transformation of Parklet P18 is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when local government and community organizations work hand in hand. We are proud to invest
in our neighborhood parks, creating safe, modern and inviting spaces where children can play, families can gather and neighbors can connect. I commend Kids Helping Kids and Old Bethpage resident Bob Eslick for inspiring young people to give back to their community and helping make this park a vibrant destination for generations to come.”
The Syosset Advance Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Syosset Advance, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris, Publisher
The Syosset Central School District’s annual reorganization meeting was held at South Woods Middle School on Wednesday, July 1. Official actions to begin the new school year included the election of a new Board of Education president and vice president. Lisa Coscia was nominated to serve as Board of Education president for the 2026-27 school year by Dr. Shany Park. With no other nominations, Coscia was elected unanimously. “Thank you everyone. I appreciate your trust in me and I look forward to the year ahead as board president,” Coscia said. Coscia was first elected to the Syosset Board of Education in May 2021, when she, Dr. Park and Brian Grieco campaigned as a slate. An experienced educator, Coscia taught pre-K through sixth grade in Queens before her family moved to the district nearly two decades ago. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Queens College and a master’s degree in elementary education from St. John’s University, along with her teaching certification. She and her husband, Salvatore, have three children, all of whom attended Syosset public schools.
Coscia is also active in the Town of Oyster Bay business community. She and her husband own the Nassau County-based expediting firm Permits-R-Us, an active member of the Syosset Woodbury Jericho Chamber of Commerce. Following Coscia’s election, Goldberg offered congratulations on behalf of the chamber’s more than 250 members. “The Syosset Woodbury Jericho Chamber of Commerce congratulates Lisa on her new leadership position as President of the Syosset School Board.” The board also elected Susan Falkove as vice president for the 2026-27 school year. Former Board President Tom Rotolo nominated Falkove, who was unanimously approved for the position previously held by Coscia. Coscia and Falkove were then sworn into office. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers also took the oath of office to lead the district through June 30, 2027. He began his monthly report by congratulating both board officers. “I look forward to working with both of you this coming year,” Rogers said.
New initiatives for district
Rather than introducing several new initiatives during the See page 6
Burns Ave. dedicates Little Library PAGE 4 Syosset Library artists of the month PAGE 3