_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD Also serving Roosevelt
Vol. 89 No. 20
Village holds day of prayer
Freeport villagers walk for peace
Page 3
Page 11
MAY 9 - 15, 2024
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The Great Guitar Show rocks the Rec! By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Media girl scouts visit the Herald The Media Girls group of the Nassau County Girl Scouts visited the Herald for a tour around the facility and a questions-and-answer session with a Herald reporter and Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications, Inc. The Media Girls pictured are, from left to right, Nyah, Cathy, Charlotte, Faith, Mia, Abby, Alexa, and Sammie.
Inside Freeport Public Schools’ new 2024-25 budget proposal By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
The Freeport school district is proposing a $244.2 million budget for the 2024-25 academic year, an increase of $5.4 million over the current spending plan. And for the ninth time in the past 10 years, the district’s tax levy will be reduced, next year by 2.12 percent. In addition, the district managed to save $6.5 million in interest by refinancing outstanding bond payments. Across village schools, there have been $6.3 million worth of capital improvements thanks to an energy performance contract, which has
reduced the carbon footprint of the buildings by 30 percent, district officials said. “While there is still a lot of information to be solidified regarding New York state’s final budget and school aid, Freeport Public Schools is proud to bring several new programs and services to our students during the 2024-25 school year, while still decreasing the tax levy,” Superintendent Kishore Kuncham said. In 2021-22, the district was awarded a total of $27.9 million, from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund — measures implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic — to Continued on page 4
The Freeport Recreation Center was electric on May 4 as the Great Guitar, Musical Instrument, and Audio Show took center stage, the first event of its kind on Long Island in five years. The Long Island Music Business Organization hosted the event, drawing vendors from across the region and featuring an impressive array of vintage guitars, equipment, pedals, amps, basses, drums, special ef fects, DJ gear and audio equipment. The show celebrated Long Island’s vibrant music scene and provided a platform for businesses and musicians to connect and thrive. Richard Branciforte, organi-
zation president and owner of Good Times Magazine, a Long Island music publication that just celebrated its 55th anniversary, played a pivotal role in organizing the show. The organization was established about six months ago to unite various music-oriented businesses on Long Island and boasted more than 65 businesses at its inaugural major meeting in March. Branciforte explained that the organization is basically a chamber of commerce but for music businesses. “It’s got a board of directors that’s really like a who’s who of the people who have been instrumental in building the Long Island musical businesses,” he said. Branciforte said that he had Continued on page 10
Maureen Lennon/Herald
Cayden Korycinski, 4, was one of the youngest guitarists at the show.