Wantagh High science teacher Casey Clark earns state recognition
By HUnTeR FenOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
A Wantagh High School science teacher has earned statewide recognition for her work in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, classes, building a program that is shaping how students engage with science.
Casey Clark, who has spent the past three years at Wantagh High School, was recently accepted into the New York State Master Teacher Program, a designation that recognizes educators for excellence in teaching, leadership and community involvement.
Clark is a Long Island native who began her teaching career with Teach for America in Camden, N.J., and then spent 11 years at St. Francis Preparatory School, in Queens. There she taught a range of science courses, and gained experience in science research education — which ultimately led her to
Wantagh.
“I heard about Wantagh looking to start a science research program because they didn’t have one,” Clark recalled. “It was a fantastic opportunity.”
Since arriving in the district in 2023, she has built the high school’s Science Research Academy largely from the ground up, transforming what had previously been informal after-school opportunities into a structured, in-school program. Today it includes more than 60 freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Students learning foundational research skills before developing their own interests, and eventually take on independent research projects.
“I definitely do not assign topics,” Clark said. “If you’re going to do independent research, you have to want to do it.” Her approach emphasizes student choice and curiosity, allowing participants to
Celebrating Emily Crupi’s 100th birthday
By HUnTeR FenOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Wantagh resident Emily Crupi reached a major milestone this month, celebrating her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends in the community she has called home for more than six decades.
To honor the occasion, her family organized a drive-by celebration outside her Wantagh home. Well-wishers lined the street with signs and balloons, and among those joining in the tribute was State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who has known Crupi since he was a child, and stopped by to recognize her lifelong contributions to the community.
life.
I t really was a reflection of the lives that she’s touched throughout the course of her 100 years.
STe Ve RHOAdS State senator
Crupi was born Emily Bruno on April 8, 1926, in Brooklyn, and her early life was shaped by hardship and resilience. After losing her mother at the age of 12, she moved in with her sister, an experience that helped instill the strength and determination that would define her
In 1948 she married Peter Crupi, and together they built a close-knit family, raising three children. Over the years their family grew to include three grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. In 1962 the couple settled in Wantagh, and the community would become central to Crupi’s life and legacy. While her husband served as a detective in the New York City Police Department for 33 years, before he died in 2004, Crupi became a familiar and trusted presence as a Nassau County crossing guard at Merrick Road and Atlantic Avenue in Wantagh. For 25 years she ensured the safety of countless students in the Wantagh School District, many of whom would later remember her kindness and dedication as a part of their daily routines.
One of those children was Rhoads himself, who remembers Crupi on patrol when he
ConTinued on PaGe 2
Courtesy Wantagh School District
State Master Teacher Casey Clark, second from left, was joined by students Cara Coseglia and Charlotte Heron and Paul Guzzone, the principal of Wantagh High School.
One of Long Island’s Top Audiologists Dr. Thomas Recher, Au.D.
Honoring a legacy of community kindness
attended Sunrise Park.
“No matter what was going on, it was always nice to see her smiling face, always with a word of encouragement,” Rhoads recalled. “Something as simple as helping somebody cross the street was something kids looked forward to every day, because she was always smiling, always friendly. If you were in a bad mood or in a rush, it was always her personality that could set the mood right.”
Crupi was also deeply involved in parish life at St. Francis de Chantal, in Wantagh, serving as a Eucharistic minister and volunteered at the parish thrift shop. Through her faith and service, she built lasting friendships, and remained closely connected to the community.
Those connections were evident at her birthday celebration, as neighbors and local officials gathered to recognize not just her longevity, but her decades of service.
“It was special,” Rhoads said. “It was nice to see the community rally together to celebrate a momentous occasion for a special person.”
“For all the people that were there, there were probably dozens more who wanted to be there,” he added. “It really was a reflection of the lives that she’s touched throughout the course of her 100 years.”
According to her family, Crupi is thankful for the life she has led, the relatives she has nurtured and the support of the Wantagh community over the years.
Photos courtesy Office of Sen. Steve Rhoads
“it was nice to see the community rally together to celebrate a momentous occasion,” rhoads said. With Crupi, rhoads, and Crupi’s daughter, Carol Link.
emily Crupi celebrated her 100th birthday with State Sen. Steve rhoads earlier this month.
Seaford Schools build emotional and thinking skills
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Seaford School District educators and students recently put critical thinking, resilience and reflection into practice, when the district hosted a Habits of Mind conference at Seaford High School along with programs throughout the district.
IThe keynote event featured presentations from Bena Kallick, a co-founder of Habits of Mind, and Habits Codirector Allison Zmuda. They gave district educators a firsthand look at how the program is being integrated into district classrooms.
t informed our instruction, our curriculum choices and the way we interact with students and their families.
JENNIFER BIsULca
Principal, Seaford Harbor Elementary School
The Habits of Mind model centers on 16 thinking “dispositions,” which include persistence, flexibility, empathy and problem-solving, all designed to help students become more thoughtful and adaptable learners. Kallick said the concept grew out of a desire to move beyond “rote” learning.
“No matter how much you know, you have to give it meaning,” she said. “Collecting facts is great, but then giving it meaning and giving it a reason for being — that’s really where your understanding comes.” Zmuda added that the habits are meant to shape not just academic success, but how people interact and think in everyday life.
“They’re how we think, how we work, how we problem-solve,” she said. “It’s as appropriate for young learners as it is for adults.”
District officials said that bringing the conference to Seaford reflects a broader commitment to developing the “whole child.”
“Our district is deeply committed to preparing students to become the best version of themselves,” Sheena Jacob, assistant superintendent for human resources and instructional support, said. “We wanted to provide educators with meaningful, research-based strategies that emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving and resilience.”
Those ideas were brought to life across the district through student activities, classroom demonstrations and discussions that connected the habits to realworld learning. At Seaford Harbor Elementary School, students discussed the Seaford Scholar trait of being humorous, while a fourth-grade class used a Mood Meter to identify and reflect on their emotions.
At Seaford Manor Elementary School, third-graders worked together in a handson activity using strings and rubber bands to stack cups, reinforcing communication and resilience. In another class-
room, fourth-graders reflected on Earth Day by writing personal commitments tied to environmental responsibility.
For educators like Habor Elementary Principal Jennifer Bisulca, the Habits of Mind framework has long been a foundation of the district’s approach.
“When I came to Seaford in 2017, it was the foundation of our belief system,”
Bisulca recalled. “It informed our instruction, our curriculum choices and the way we interact with students and their families.” She added that the habits give students a shared language to understand their behavior and growth.
“If a student is struggling, we talk about flexibility,” Bisulca said. “If they’re challenging themselves, we talk about
persisting. They start to use that language themselves and identify how they’re growing.”
Jacob said that integration happens across all grade levels, from guided discussions in elementary school to deeper analysis and self-reflection at the high school level. That can help students navigate a range of challenges, from sharing toys at recess for younger levels to pushing themselves academically as they get older.
“In practice, students are encouraged to reflect on their thinking, ask deeper questions and persist through challenges,” Jacob said.
District leaders said the benefits extend beyond academics. “Students become more independent learners and stronger problem-solvers,” Jacob said. “They also develop confidence, resilience and empathy.”
Kallick emphasized that all 16 habits, or dispositions in the Habits of Mind program are equally important, noting that skills like managing impulsivity are just as valuable as finding humor or approaching the world with curiosity.
“We’re trying to help people become more thoughtful,” she said. “Not just full of thought, but thoughtful in how they care for others.”
Educators emphasized that the conference represented more than a single day of learning. It created a shared language that reinforces a districtwide culture centered on growth, reflection and collaboration both in and outside of the classroom.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Instructional Support Sheena Jacob, international curriculum consultant Allison Zmuda, Habits of Mind co-founder Bena Kallick and Superintendent Adele Pecora.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Visiting educators saw a teamwork challenge in action inside of a third grade classroom at Seaford Manor Elementary School.
TThe blue van elevate the Conversation
hat day, I was picking up my son from the front door of East Meadow High School intending to take him to the meet-up spot where teenagers of several religious youth groups were heading off on a weekend retreat that Friday afternoon.
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But I had to tell him. A friend of our family, his friend’s dad, had died suddenly and we learned of this tragedy earlier that day while high schoolers everywhere were deciphering algebra or chemistry.
Monopoly was. The time we three: son, mother and this young guy, a Giants fan, went to JetsFest at Hofstra University. On arrival and parked in the massive lot, I stopped to get my bearings. What were the landmarks in which we would find our car when we returned? Our buddy said quite convincingly, “Next to the blue van.”
Other than my dad’s passing years earlier, I had never had to deliver this kind of news before, let alone to my son as that young adult who could immediately understand the short-and longterm ramifications of this event. We spent a good portion of that drive, feeling a level of disbelief people often do when unfathomable things happen.
Religious school, swimming in the county pool and eating dinner with both families in the pizzeria and Chili’s — these were the solidifying moments of their shared youth. And as much as we tried to remain solemn it was hard to stop laughing thinking of the humor they shared.
An Estate Plan is More Than it Appears
An estate plan consists of a set of documents for older adults most often consisting of a trust, power of attorney, health care proxy and other supporting documents providing certain legal, financial and health instructions. Most people, and even many attorneys, consider the tangible documents to be the plan, the exchange of which, for payment, constitutes the completion of the transaction.
In our view, it is the “relationship” between the client and the law firm, intangible though it may be, that is of greater value. Only the relationship can provide the benefits needed to fully effectuate the plan. First among the intangibles is the peace of mind which the client is seeking in creating an estate plan in the first place. This requires an inquiry into the capabilities and sensibilities of each family member. The substitute decision-making that will be entrusted to others demands nothing less. As to the passing of assets, we are as concerned with the emotional legacy, as with the financial legacy, the client will leave to those loved ones who survive them.
Secondly, for any estate plan to be effective,
care and attention not to mention experience, in funding the plan -- in other words getting the assets either into the trust or left to the trust as beneficiary -- are essential. The extraordinary level of care and knowledge needed to properly fund a trust is, in our experience, often found lacking. You cannot see it, but it is invaluable.
Third, of what benefit is a plan that is inorganic, in other words not subject to change. Some mechanism for the plan to be adjusted as changes in personal circumstances and in the law occur is essential. An estate plan must be designed with a review process so that it works when needed, often decades after it was first conceived.
As a relationship-based, rather than a transaction-based firm, Ettinger Law Firm has developed processes such as not charging for emails and phone calls and providing a free review every three years to provide the safety and security clients are looking for. Together with our proprietary publications and videos, and weekly client newsletter, these features allow our clients to live out the firm’s motto, “Protecting Your Future”.
And like then, I didn’t cry now.
A little over two weeks ago, I had to have this car ride conversation again with my son, only this time it was regarding the passing of that friend, 32 years old, who lost his dad all those years ago. The irony of déjà vu was not lost upon us except this time we could not help reminiscing about the unique moments these boys had shared while they grew into men.
There was the time we taught this mega-video gamer what the board game
I didn’t cry, not to suggest I’m strong and unnaturally stoic. I didn’t cry not to suggest I was trying to be anything less than respectful and honoring of their memory. But perhaps, I have come to realize that I mourn a little differently than others and it will touch me like an avalanche when I least expect it, when I will realize that “sad” isn’t nearly sufficient to define this loss.
A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.
L auren L ev
HERALD School
Helping others earns local senior a scholarship
Wantagh High School senior James DiCerbo describes helping others as his purpose. His extensive community service efforts recently earned him a $5,000 scholarship from the New York Islanders.
James was one of only five high school seniors from the Metropolitan area to receive a Community Leadership Scholarship from the Islanders Children’s Foundation in recognition of hard work, perseverance, leadership and community involvement. In the application process, James detailed community service projects he completed as well as his ambitions for the future.
As president of Future Business Leaders of America this year, James coordinated a trip to Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center in Massapequa during the holiday season. Students played bingo with seniors in addition to serving them coffee and desserts over the few hours they spent together.
Last year, James was one of the leaders for Warriors for a Cure, which raised $118,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He remains active with the
Seaford High School world languages and ENL teacher Patricia Foley congratulated Nick Kanellopoulos, left, Rihana Miah and Gokay Sezer on being among the 53 seniors earning the Seal of Biliteracy this year.
group this year as a member of the leadership committee and also spoke at an event at the Long Island Children’s Museum to share his experience and provide guidance on fundraising ideas.
With the high school’s Junior Chamber of Commerce, James volunteered at the Wantagh Historical Society’s Winter
NewS brief
E-scooter crash leaves resident injured
A 28-year-old man was injured Friday evening after the e-scooter he was riding collided with an SUV at a Wantagh intersection, according to Nassau County police.
The incident occurred at 8:06 p.m. on April 24 at the intersection of Briard Street and Homestead Avenue. Police said the man was traveling southbound on Briard Street when he struck the passengerside door of a 2019 Jeep Cherokee.
Authorities said the Jeep, operated by
a 42-year-old man, was in the process of making a left turn onto Homestead Avenue at the time of the collision.
The e-scooter operator sustained an arm injury and multiple facial lacerations. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.
No other injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.
— Hunter Fenollol
Wonderland. He helps plan fundraisers, spirit days and other events as a member of student government. In September, he was a student volunteer at checkin for the Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K, providing race participants with their shirts, bibs and goodie bags. James will attend Fairfield Universi-
The branded content advertising with the Herald has proven to be extremely advantageous for me. Not only has it resonated with my current client base and sphere of influence… it has also brought new business, new design projects, and new real estate clients.
ty in the fall to major in accounting. He chose the school because of its strong business education and numerous opportunities to get involved in community service projects.
“I like helping other people,” James said. “It’s a form of humility. You’re able to take a step back and see the struggles of others. When I focus on other people, I see my life as having more meaning. Helping others is how I fulfill myself the best, and it’s rewarding to know I’m making the world a better place.”
Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said he first saw James in action as a sophomore, when he volunteered with Project Thank A Cop. James assisted at a gathering place for police officers who came for the services of slain police officer Jonathan Diller.
“Since then, James has just been everywhere,” Dr. Guzzone said. “It’s really a drive of his to help others and something that sets him apart from a lot of people. I feel really lucky to have him as part of our school community.”
—Hunter Fenollol
Courtesy Wantagh School District
DEVIN PACCIONE
WANTAGH Senior LACROSSE
A DYNAMIC THREE-SPORT athlete, Paccione last spring helped lead Wantagh to Nassau and Long Island Class C lacrosse championships and earned All-America honors. He followed that up this fall as a major contributor to the Warriors’ county football title. This spring, the University of Villanova bound attacker was leading Nassau County in points with 72 (26 goals and 46 assists) as of April 28. He has over 300 career points.
games to watch
Thursday, April 30
Baseball: Plainedge at Wantagh 4:30 p.m.
Baseball: Lynbrook at V.S. North 5 p.m.
Softball: East Meadow at Clarke 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Freeport 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side
Flag Football: Freeport at Bell-Merrick
Flag Football: East Meadow at V.S. District 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Long Beach at Glen Cove 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Bethpage at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Friday, May 1
Softball: East Rockaway at Freeport 4:15 p.m.
Softball: Syosset at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Softball: V.S. South at V.S. Central 5 p.m.
Softball: Kennedy at Seaford 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Carey at Mepham 5 p.m.
Baseball: Lawrence at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Baseball: South Side at Calhoun 5 p.m.
Baseball: Carey at MacArthur 5 p.m.
Softball: Oceanside at Massapequa 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Softball: South Side at Floral Park 10 a.m.
Flag Football: East Rock. at West Hemp. 10 a.m.
Softball: Baldwin at Hewlett 2 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
HERALD SPORTS
Wantagh works past South Side
By NICK MONGIOVI sports@liherald.com
Wantagh/South Side is a rivalry that runs deep, not just in boys’ lacrosse.
A rematch of the past two Long Island champions April 22 was everything you’d want a rivalry game to be. Physical. Chippy. Intense.
Thanks to a six-goal third quarter, Wantagh broke a halftime deadlock and never looked back in a 14-6 home win. Sophomore Luke Martini and seniors Devin Paccione and Joe Nicholson all record hat tricks for the defending L.I. Class C champion Warriros.
“I told the guys to relax with the ball, play our game, be fast with [the ball] and make good decisions offensively,” Wantagh coach James Polo said of his halftime message. “Defensively, continue what we’re doing, staying together as a group, staying tight and communicating.”
Paccione (eight points) broke a 5-5 tie at 9:58 of the third, sparking a run as Nicholson scored twice and Martini added his fourth and fifth goals to make it 10-5. Sean Stachlik capped the quarter with a buzzer-beater.
“They are very unselfish and at any point, any one of them can score goals,” Polo said. “They always look for that extra pass, try to make the right play and just play unselfish lacrosse. They did a good job with it today.”
The second quarter featured three lead changes. Wantagh senior Matthew Giacobello tied the game at 2, but backto-back goals from South Side senior Brendan Vetter (his second) and junior Alex Notaro, capitalizing on a Wantagh penalty, gave the Cyclones a 4-2 lead.
“We know they’re a very physical and athletic team, so we felt like if we got opportunities there, and took advantage of it, that would help us,” South Side coach Steve DiPietro. “In the first half, that went in our favor, being able to tie at 5-5. Later in the game, we weren’t as fortunate.”
Giacobello and Martini knotted the game at 4, before senior Jack Muscarella regained the lead for South Side. Mar-
tini quickly erased it.
Martini’s five goals were the most he’s recorded in a game this season, and he also tacked on two assists.
“Some days it’s your day, when you have six great offensive guys on the field,” Martini said. “Some days, you’re going to score zero goals, some days you’ll score 10. You just have to stay in the gray area. I kind of worked into my role a little bit, and people were finding me.”
Wantagh goalie Gianni Passaro stood on his head all game, making pointblank saves to keep his team alive. The senior recorded 11 saves and said the
rivalry “means everything.”
“After last year, I had a rough start against them in the county championship and I came in with the mentality that I wanted to get back at them, and I did,” Passaro said. “I hope [this win] sends a message to all of Long Island that we have a family and when we play together and compete, we’re unstoppable.”
Cyclone senior Tyler Sumrani hit the back of the net as well. Still, the Warriors’ defense kept South Side quiet in the third thanks to senior Pasquale Falco and juniors Chase Dankenbrink, Jack Li and Patrick Forthofer.
Michelle Ebel/Herald
Devin Paccione’s 8-point effort helped the Warriors defeat rival South Side, 14-6.
Clark recognized for innovative mentorship
explore topics that genuinely interest them while developing critical thinking and analytical skills.
The program has also expanded in scope, incorporating partnerships and advanced tools that expose students to real-world scientific work. Clark pointed to a collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory as a key milestone, giving students access to scientific computing, coding and data analysis techniques used in research.
“It allows kids to see the big picture,” she said, noting that students learn to use coding and statistics to analyze complex data. “It’s stuff that’s actively happening right now for real cutting-edge research.”
Wantagh High Principal Paul Guzzone said that Clark’s recognition reflects the impact she has already made in a short time.
“I know she has officially been labeled as a Master Teacher, but I’ve known that all along,” Guzzone said. “She has grown our science research program from its infancy and done tremendous work. We are lucky to have her, and I’m happy she’s getting the recognition on a grander scale beyond just the Wantagh community that she deserves.”
Iespecially important to me with the community component,” she said. “Being new here, I felt like I’ve done something for the Wantagh community, which has been nice.”
Beyond the classroom, the designation connects Clark with a network of STEM educators across the state, giving her opportunities to collaborate and to continue developing as a teacher.
t informed our instruction, our curriculum choices and the way we interact with students and their families.
Casey Clark Science teacher, Wantagh High School
The Master Teacher Program application process was extensive, Clark said, requiring recommendations, exams and multiple essays focused on teaching practices, community involvement and continued engagement in STEM fields.
For her, the recognition is especially meaningful as a newer member of the Wantagh community. “It was
“It gives me access to other science research teachers in other districts,” she said. “We can bounce ideas off of each other and see how we take different approaches.”
Her colleagues at the high school say that collaborative mindset is already evident in the culture she has created in the program, where students support one another and take pride in each other’s work. “It feels like a team,” Clark said.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue expanding the program and exposing students to new areas of research, while keeping the focus on student-driven exploration. Next year, it will expand to seniors as well.
“I just want them to follow what they’re interested in and enjoy it,” she said. Ultimately, Clark said, her goal is to help students build confidence that extends beyond science.
“I hope they realize how much they’ve been able to accomplish and how much they’ve taken control over their own learning,” she said. “If they have that belief in themselves, they can absolutely succeed in what they want to do.”
Courtesy Wantagh School District
State master teacher Casey Clark in the new Wantagh High School science research room and lab space.
EAC Network expands child protection services
EAC Network officially became Long Island’s lead agency for child protection services last week, opening the Nassau County Child Advocacy Center in Bethpage and expanding its coordinated response to child abuse, sexual exploitation and trafficking across both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new center, located at 15 Grumman Road West, Suite 1000, included Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, state lawmakers and officials from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
EAC Network already operates the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center, and with the addition of the Nassau location, it is now the only agency overseeing child advocacy centers in both counties.
“Child abuse and sex trafficking don’t stop at county lines, and neither do we,” EAC Network President and Chief Execu-
tive Officer Neela Mukherjee Lockel said in a statement. “With our Child Advocacy Centers now in both Nassau and Suffolk, EAC Network is the first organization in Long Island’s history to offer a unified, island-wide response to child exploitation.”
According to Lockel, the Nassau center has already received nearly 200 referrals for suspected physical or sexual abuse of minors in its first three months of operation.
The Nassau County Child Advocacy Center will operate two main programs under EAC Network’s leadership. Its Child Advocacy Center program provides forensic interviews, medical evaluations and mental health support for children who have experienced abuse in a childfriendly setting. Its Safe Harbour program focuses on minors under age 18 who are victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, offering advocacy and comprehensive services.
“Nassau County is committed to ensuring every child is safe, protected, and supported,” Blakeman said in a written statement. “By taking the helm of the Child Advocacy Center, they are strengthening our county’s ability to respond swiftly and compassionately to our most vulnerable residents.”
Donnelly called the center “a cornerstone of how we protect children and hold offenders accountable,” noting that the partnership between law enforcement, prosecutors and victim advocates helps ensure trauma-informed care while cases are investigated.
EAC Network works alongside Nassau and Suffolk police departments, both district attorneys’ offices, the FBI, child protective services agencies, hospitals and mental health providers.
The opening comes amid growing statewide concern over child abuse and trafficking. New York’s child protective system received nearly 149,000 reports of
News brief
Spring is in the air at East Broadway
Students at East Broadway Elementary School in the Levittown School District celebrated the arrival of spring with the school’s annual Spring Boutique.
Hosted by the East Broadway PTA, the event featured a selection of educational items and small gifts for students to purchase. With budgets in mind, students shopped for themselves and family members, with many choosing items ahead of Mother’s Day.
Artwork displayed throughout the hallways, created by students with the help of art teachers and parents, added to the celebration. Floral-themed displays carried a message of inclusiveness, highlighting the motto, “Grow kindness, grow acceptance.”
The event provided students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning while marking the change of seasons.
— Hunter Fenollol
suspected child abuse and maltreatment in 2022, according to state data, with more than 31,700 reports formally indicated.
The New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking also confirmed 114 human trafficking referrals on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley in its most recent reporting period, with minors accounting for 38 confirmed victims statewide.
A former child advocacy center client, identified only as Julianna, spoke at the ceremony about the center’s role in her recovery from abuse, calling it “a place where I could begin to rebuild myself.”
EAC Network officials said the new Nassau center is intended to ensure that children facing abuse or exploitation receive coordinated care, advocacy and support closer to home.
—Jordan Vallone
Courtesy EAC Network
EAC Network opened the Nassau County Child Advocacy Center in Bethpage, expanding its coordinated response to child abuse, sexual exploitation and trafficking in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Courtesy Levittown Public Schools
Vibrant artwork signaled the start of the spring season at East Broadway Elementary School.
Bill targets harassment at houses of worship
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Calls to protect religious institutions from harassment and intimidation took center stage last Friday morning at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
There, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi unveiled the bipartisan Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act, known as the SACRED Act, legislation Suozzi said would address growing concerns among his constituents about safety at houses of worship.
“There’s too much hate in our country right now,” Suozzi said. “A lot of people are being intimidated as they enter into their religious institution to practice their faith.”
The bill, co-led by Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass individuals within 100 feet of a place of worship, including blocking their path or approaching within 8 feet with the intent to harass.
Suozzi said the measure “ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression.” He added that it draws “a clear line: Intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”
“We at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center understand religious persecution,” Alan Mindel, the center’s chairman, said, “and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray.”
Leaders of several national advocacy and faith organizations attended the event, including represen-
Community leaders, elected officials and faith advocates gathered at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County to highlight efforts to protect religious institutions and ensure safe access to places of worship.
tatives of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has reached historic levels, with 9,354 incidents recorded in 2024, underscoring concerns about the safety of those attending religious services.
“Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails,” Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America, said. “Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity and safety within every sacred space.”
The proposal has also drawn political criticism.
Mike LiPetri, who is challenging Suozzi for his 3rd Congressional District seat in November, said he believed the congressman had not been sufficiently vocal on the issue in the past.
“Now in an election year he wants to take action?” LiPetri wrote in a statement to the Herald. “We’re not buying it.”
Rep. Laura Gillen, who was not in attendance, emphasized the need for additional protections.
“In the wake of rising hate crimes in our own backyard, we must safeguard our houses of worship and ensure every Long Islander has the freedom to gather without fear of violence,” Gillen wrote. “Establishing buffer zones is a step in the right direction.”
Roksana Amid/Herald
Stamp Out Hunger drive will return May 9
Island Harvest, letter carriers request donations
Residents across Long Island are being asked to take part in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9 by leaving donations at their homes for pickup.
Island Harvest Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers are partnering for the nationwide one-day effort.
Community members can leave nonperishable food items and personal care products in a bag by their mailboxes, where letter carriers will collect them during regular delivery. All donations collected on Long Island will support Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries and feeding programs.
The need remains significant, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest Food Bank, which distributed a record 21 million pounds of food across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year.
“Hunger and food insecurity impact about a quarter of a million Long Islanders, including children, families, older adults, and veterans — and virtually every ZIP code is affected,” Shubin Dresner said in a news release. “We have always depended on the generosity of Long Islanders to support their neighbors. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an easy yet powerful way for our community to come together. When Long Islanders act as one island for one day, the impact is extraordinary.”
Items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices and shelf-stable milk. Prepared food and items in glass containers are not accepted. Personal care products such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant and disposable diapers are also accepted.
Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said that letter carriers see the effects of
food insecurity every day.
“Our members see firsthand the impact of food insecurity on Long Island during their daily routes,” Siesto said in the release. “We are proud to partner
Join WEDLI for a strictly social eventnetworking and catching up with friends! We will also install the new WEDLI officers and board members. All are welcome to attend.
with Island Harvest once again and to help bring neighbors together for the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection. This one day when letter carriers and residents unite island-wide makes a real difference.”
Stamp Out Hunger is held annually on the second Saturday in May, and has collected more than 2 billion pounds of food nationwide since it began in 1993.
Last year, Long Island residents donated more than 360,000 pounds of food, enough for more than 600,000 meals. Island Harvest aims to collect more than 500,000 pounds this year.
This year’s collection campaign on Long Island is supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase, and IPRO Healthcare, along with nearly 40 additional corporations.
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human-services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. It has organized innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, its Healthy Harvest Farm, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, and efficient food collection and distribution.
Island Harvest’s work directly supports children, families, seniors and veterans who turn to the organization in times of crisis, and supports a network of community-based nonprofits. Its Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to combat hunger in the United States. To learn more, go to IslandHarvest.org.
–Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Don Miller
Long Island residents can help by leaving food donations outside their homes for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9.
STEPPING OUT
You don’t have to be a kid to love bubbles. Step into the museum’s bubble playroom and see why bubbles are fun for any age.
No kids allowed
By Abbey Salvemini
For many folks a trip to the Long Island Children’s Museum isn’t just a childhood outing, it’s a shared community memory. Now, those of us “big kids” who grew up visiting here will have a chance to step back inside but this time as grown-ups.
Relive the wonder of childhood at the museum’s inaugural “Adults Only Nostalgia Night” on May 6. Open to guests ages 23 and up, this after-hours event (starting at 6:30 p.m.) offers a lively, playful reimagining of a beloved local destination — welcoming visitors to explore familiar exhibits in a whole new light, long after the kids have gone home.
“This has been something that’s been talked about for years,” Communications Coordinator Stephanie Silver says. “We have so many people who came here as kids and are now bringing their own children or even grandchildren. There’s always been this desire to come back and experience it again for themselves.”
That idea recently gained momentum online after a nostalgic TikTok post comparing the museum’s former Stewart Avenue location with its current home in Garden City went viral, creating a wave of former visitors in the comments reminiscing and sharing memories.
The result is an occasion designed to feel equal parts reunion and night out.
For three hours, the museum’s galleries are open exclusively to adults, giving guests the rare opportunity to explore exhibits at their own pace. From the popular bubble station to newer installations, visitors can revisit old favorites or discover exhibits they may have missed.
“It’s really about giving people the freedom to explore,” Silver explains. “They can go wherever they want, spend as much time as they want, and just enjoy it without any responsibilities.”
Beyond exploring the exhibits, the evening comes
Children’s Museum turns childhood memories into an adults-only night out
alive with a DJ spinning crowd pleasing hits from across the decades, inviting guests to hit the dance floor or simply enjoy the music. Classic games add a touch of friendly competition, while photo stations capture the fun along the way. Together, these elements transform the museum into a vibrant, social “playground,” a striking departure from its usual daytime pace. The result is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where nostalgia, play and connection come together for a memorable night. Light bites and refreshments are available; admission includes two drink tickets for beer and wine. Organizers aim to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can mingle, unwind, and rediscover a beloved space in an entirely new way — all without straying far from home.
Guests are also invited to take part in hands-on memory-making activities throughout the evening. Design your own I Heart LICM friendship bracelet to keep as a personal memento, or contribute to the Nostalgia Wall by posting photos and sharing stories from past visits. Over the course of the night, the growing display will reflect decades of community connection — ranging from childhood snapshots to treasured, multigenerational memories — woven together into a heartfelt collective tribute.
For Silver, that piece hits close to home.
• Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Tickets are $45 per person, $40 members, with limited availability; Advance registration and valid ID required
• Visit the events calendar at licm.org for tickets and additional information
• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
“I grew up coming here,” she says. “My own photos will be up there. It’s special to see how many people have that same connection.”
While designed to be lighthearted and fun, the museum’s educational spirit remains an underlying thread throughout. Exhibits originally created to spark curiosity in children take on a new dimension for adults, offering a fresh perspective that invites reflection, rediscovery and a touch of wonder in a familiar setting.
“That’s actually the easiest part,” Silver adds. “Everything here is already grounded in education. The nostalgia just comes naturally.”
If the evening proves successful (as expected), museum leadership aims to make this a recurring offering and potentially expand it in future seasons, building on what’s anticipated to be strong community enthusiasm.
“We’d love to make this a reoccurring event,” Silver says, enthusiastically. “But we also want to hear from visitors … what they enjoy, what they want to see. This is really about the community.”
Nostalgia Night will offer something that’s familiar yet new: a chance to revisit a childhood staple, reconnect with friends or neighbors and see a well-known local institution in a completely different light.
“We want people to walk away feeling reconnected, not just to the museum, but to that sense of joy and creativity,” Silver adds. “Play is just as powerful for us as adults as it is for the children.”
And for those who recall spending rainy afternoons or birthday parties inside the museum’s walls, this might feel somewhat like coming home — only this time, with music, companions and no curfew.
George Thorogood and The Destroyers
For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of their 53rd year of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roof-raising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before.
Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Til Death Do Us Part … You First!
Love, regret and second chances take center stage in a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud solo show directed by Broadway veteran Chazz Palminteri. Written and performed by comedian Peter Fogel, the 90-minute multimedia performance blends sharp humor with heartfelt reflection on the realities of modern relationships. At the heart of the story is Fogel himself — an eternal bachelor blindsided by a Valentine’s Day breakup that forces him to confront more than just heartbreak. As he wrestles with questions of love, timing and personal growth, he’s guided by his own conscience, voiced by Palminteri, in a clever theatrical device that adds both wit and depth. What follows is a whirlwind of storytelling as Fogel transforms into more than a dozen characters, Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Photos courtesy LICM
Building boom! ‘Big kids’ are sure to have fun unleashing their creativity by building with KEVA planks
Delve into Long Island’s maritime history and connections at the Saltwater Stories exhibit.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
Seaford Harbor PTA’s 2026 Annual Auction: Night at the Races
Join the community at Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall for an exciting Derby-themed evening filled with fun, prizes, and great company. Derby attire is encouraged with prizes for Best Ladies Hat, Best Couple Outfit, and Most Dapper.
• Where: 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: my.cheddarup.com/c/ night-at-the-races-2026-annualauction-copy-14863/items or call (516)783-7500
Family theater
MAY
1
Long Island Children’s Museum stages
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 2 and May 6-7
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
MAY
‘The Sound of Music’
2
The TBT MainStage Players stage “The Sound of Music”at Temple B’nai Torah. All are welcome to enjoy this delightful musical. $20, $15 seniors (65 and older), $10, ages 17 and under.
• Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 8 p.m., also May 3 at 2 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 221-2370 or Tbttix@temple-bnai-torah.org
Seaford Chamber of Commerce Spring Fling 2026
This annual event features a giant
MAY
Gardening
Trends 2026
6
Join instructor Lee Miller, landscape designer and author, as she leads a discussion at Seaford Library on what to expect in the upcoming year. Book sale and author signing follows the presentation.
• Where: 2234 Jackson Ave., Seaford
• Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
• Contact: seafordlibrary.org
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.
• Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
Ben Folds & A Piano
A bestselling author and former podcast host, Folds remains a restlessly creative force — an artist constantly expanding the reach of his music. MAY 8
• Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15-10 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 221-2370
Game time
MAY
• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
Ben Folds, widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation. brings his latest tour to the Tilles Center, joined by multi-talented actress-singer- composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. Over the years, he has released multiple solo albums alongside collaborative projects, earning an Emmy nomination and a devoted global following. His most recent pop album (2023) drew critical praise and played to sold-out audiences, followed by a holiday release in 2024. Folds’ recent work also reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring a live orchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
craft and vendor bazaar with close to 100 vendors offering handmade jewelry, soap, custom women’s clothing, hand-carved wooden crafts, toys, candy, pickles, and more, just in time for Mother’s Day shopping. A food fest includes Long Island’s premier traveling food truck rally, also kids fun zone with inflatables, slides, obstacle courses, and a towering rock wall, along with entertainment featuring local favorite T Minus 10 starting at noon. Additional highlights include free ice cream with every kids fun zone bracelet purchase. Rain date is May 16
• Where: Seaford LIRR station,1933 Jackson Ave, Seaford
• Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Old Westbury Gardens’ Regency Romance Weekend
Enjoy two delightful days of romance, revelry, and refinement in true Jane Austen-style at the lush estate. Step onto the grounds, don your finest gowns and cravats, and prepare for a weekend of charm, wit, and elegant amusements. Stroll the gardens, try your hand at lawn games and crafts, enjoy classical melodies, test your Austen knowledge, and admire the
finery of fellow guests dressed for the occasion. Between diversions, indulge in sweet treats at the café and discover Regency-inspired treasures in the gift shop. Visit the website for programming details.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Ongoing, through May
3
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Stars On Ice
MAY
3
Celebrate America’s skating superstars! Fresh off their Olympic performances, the 2026 Stars on Ice tour brings the thrill of the Games to fans/ Headlined by Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God” and Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu, Olympic Silver Medalists Madison Chock & Evan Bates, the tour also stars National Champions Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, Jason Brown and more. Feel the passion, precision and power of the U.S. National Figure Skating Team — live on the ice.
• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 4 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com
MAY
May The 4th Be With You 5K
4
Join in the May the 4th Be With You 5K at Cedar Creek Park. With a Kids Dash 30 minutes before the main race. Participants can race or walk to the galactic finish and enjoy snacks from All Round Foods and Waterloo Sparkling Water, with options for in-person or virtual 5K registration.
• Where: Cedar Creek Park, 3340 Merrick Road, Seaford
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: events.elitefeats. com/26may4th
An Evening With Goldie Hawn
The Madison Theatre welcomes Goldie who introduces “The AfterSchool Kindness Crew #1: Pooch on the Loose,” the first book in an inspiring new series about friendship, community, and the power of kindness. In this rare Long Island appearance, the award-winning actress, producer, director and best-selling author discusses her legendary career, and her children’s book series, written with Lin Oliver and illustrated by Breanna Chambers.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
7
Play Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.
• Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Contact: mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or (516) 785-2445
Almost Queen
MAY
8
Almost Queen brings a high-energy tribute to the legendary band Queen, to Mulcahy’s delivering iconic hits and an electrifying live performance that captures the spirit and sound fans love. An unforgettable night of classic rock awaits with powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and all the timeless favorites.
• Where: 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: mulcahyslongisland. com
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE WANTAGH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT WANTAGH, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the WANTAGH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, Nassau County, Wantagh, New York will be held in the Senior High School, Wantagh, New York, in said school district on May 7, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. prevailing time, for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:
1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machines at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026/27 school year for school purposes (the proposed budget) will be made available, upon request, to any resident of the District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, beginning April 30, 2026, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business, Administration Building, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, at each school house in the District, at school district offices, on the District’s website at www.wantaghschools. org, and at the Wantagh Public Library.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00
p.m., prevailing time, in the Three (3) Election Districts, described below, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machine upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026/27 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. Shall the Board of Education be authorized pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law to expend an amount not to exceed One Million Seven Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($1,740,000) (including accrued interest) from the Capital Reserve Fund established by voters of the School District at the annual meeting held on May 21, 2024 (“Reserve Funds”) for the following projects: rooftop HVAC unit replacement at the Wantagh High School auditorium, patrial roof replacement at Wantagh High School, and the purchase and installation of field lighting for the Wantagh High School turf field, all of the foregoing to include site improvements, furnishings, equipment, apparatus, machinery, demolition and other incidental work or improvements required in connection therewith, and to expend from the Reserve Funds therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto an amount not to exceed the total estimated cost of One Million Seven Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($1,740,000) (including accrued interest); such costs of the components of the capital improvements/ projects may be reallocated among such components/projects as the Board of Education shall determine to be in the best interest of the District.
3. Shall the Board of Education of the Wantagh Union Free School District be authorized to sell the parcel, real property, school building, and other structures thereon, situated at 1865 Beech Street, Wantagh, New York located in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, and collectively designated on the Nassau County Land
and Tax Map as Section 56, Block 462, Lot 68, Section 57, Block 058, Lot 01, Section 63, Block 167, Lot 28, Section 63, Block 172, Lot 27, and Section 63, Block 169, Lot 29 to Brah Property Owners Inc. at a price at or about One Million Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,075,000), subject to adjustments in accordance with the Purchase and Sale Agreement; as more fully described in a legal description on file in the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business; which sale shall be on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in a Purchase and Sale Agreement, on file in the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business.
4. To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at her office
in the Administration Building, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, not later than April 20, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated; must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by at least forty-five (45) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of twentyfive (25) qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and, must state the name and residence of the candidate.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this election. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register.
Registration shall be conducted for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law through Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, on all regular days during which the office of the District Clerk is in operation, located in the Administration Building, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such register, provided that at such time he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said District Clerk to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. The Board of Registration will also meet for the purpose of registering all qualified
voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law on Saturday, May 9, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 pm., at the Administration Building, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. The last day to register shall be Thursday, May 14, 2026. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday, May 16, 2026 between the hours of 9:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Wantagh Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, by mail to 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, by email to mcguigane@ wantaghschools.org or fax sent to (516) 7654154. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Wantagh Union Free School District, may
request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, by mail to 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, by email to mcguigane@ wantaghschools.org, or fax sent to (516) 765-4154. In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or email. A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, at each of the three (3) separate
election districts to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the Budget Vote and Election to be held in 2027, and any special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after May 19, 2026.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk. Completed applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than April 20, 2026, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk of the Board of Education at the Administration Building, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793, on or before April 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, except that referenda or propositions required by law to be included in the notice of the annual meeting must be filed with the District Clerk on or before March 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least one hundred eleven (111) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.
SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Election Districts have been established in the School District. The boundaries of the Election Districts, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education, and the place in each election district for voting shall be as follows:
ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 - All voters who reside south of Sunrise Highway vote at the Mandalay Elementary School, 2667 Bayview Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793.
ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 2 - All voters who reside north of Sunrise Highway and East of Wantagh Parkway vote at the Wantagh Elementary School, 1765 Beech Street Wantagh,
April 30, 2026 —
New York 11793.
Public Notices
ELECTION DISTRICT
NO. 3 - All voters who reside north of Sunrise Highway and West of Wantagh Parkway, vote at the Forest Lake Elementary School, 3100 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793.
Dated: Wantagh, New York March 26, 2026
By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WANTAGH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Wantagh, New York
Elaine McGuigan, District Clerk 159210
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIÓN
DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE WANTAGH UNION WANTAGH, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
SE EMITE NOTIFICACIÓN DE QUE SE CELEBRARÁ UNA AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA DE LOS VOTANTES CUALIFICADOS DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE LA UNIÓN DE WANTAGH, Condado de Nassau, Wantagh, Nueva York, en la Escuela Secundaria de Wantagh, Nueva York, en dicho distrito escolar, el 7 de mayo de 2026, a las 20:00 horas, para la transacción de negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, incluyendo los siguientes elementos:
1. Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (propuesta de presupuesto) sobre la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2026-27.
2. Debatir todos los puntos que a continuación se exponen a votación por las máquinas de votación en la Votación Presupuestaria y Elección que se celebrará el martes 19 de mayo de 2026.
3. Realizar otros asuntos que debidamente se presenten ante la reunión conforme a la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y actos enmiendos a la misma.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que una copia de una declaración detallada por escrito sobre la
cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el curso escolar 2026/27 para fines escolares (el presupuesto propuesto) estará disponible, previa solicitud, para cualquier residente del Distrito entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., en el horario vigente, a partir del 30 de abril de 2026, excepto sábados, domingos o festivos, en la oficina del Subsuperintendente de Negocios, Edificio de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, en cada escuela del Distrito, en las oficinas del distrito escolar, en la página web del Distrito en www.wantaghschools. org y en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que dicha votación presupuestaria y elección se celebrarán el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 y las 21:00 horas, hora vigente, en los tres (3) distritos electorales descritos a continuación, momento en el que las urnas se abrirán a votación mediante máquina de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:
1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026/27 y autorizar que la parte requerida del mismo se recaude, mediante impuestos, sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito.
2. ¿Deberá autorizar a la Junta de Educación conforme a la Sección 3651 de la Ley de Educación a gastar una cantidad que no exceda un millón setecientos cuarenta mil dólares (1,740,000 dólares) (incluidos los intereses acumulados) del Fondo de Reserva de Capital establecido por los votantes del distrito escolar en la reunión anual celebrada el 21 de mayo de 2024 (“Fondos de Reserva”) para los siguientes proyectos: sustitución de la unidad HVAC en la azotea del auditorio del Instituto Wantagh, sustitución patrial del tejado en el Instituto Wantagh y la compra y la instalación de iluminación para el campo de césped del instituto Wantagh, incluyendo todas las mejoras del lugar, mobiliario, equipo, aparatos, maquinaria, demolición y otros trabajos o mejoras incidentales necesarias en relación con ello, y que se gastarán de
los Fondos de Reserva para ello, incluyendo los costes preliminares y los gastos anexos, una cantidad que no exceda el coste total estimado de un millón setecientos cuarenta mil dólares (1,740,000 dólares) (incluyendo acumulados interés); los costes de los componentes de las mejoras de capital/ proyectos podrán reasignarse entre aquellos componentes/ proyectos que la Junta de Educación determine que son en el mejor interés del Distrito.
3. ¿Se autorizará a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Wantagh Union a vender la parcela, la propiedad inmobiliaria, el edificio escolar y otras estructuras en la que se encuentran en el 1865 de Beech Street, Wantagh, Nueva York, situada en el municipio de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Estado de Nueva York, y designada colectivamente en el Mapa de Tierras e Impuestos del Condado de Nassau como Sección 56, Bloque 462, Lote 68, Sección 57, Bloque 058, Lote 01, Sección 63, Bloque 167, Lote 28, Secciónno 63, Bloque 172, Lote 27, y Sección 63, Bloque 169, Lote 29 a Brah Property Owners Inc. a un precio de aproximadamente un millón setenta y cinco toneladas de dólares (1,075,000 dólares), sujeto a ajustes conforme al Acuerdo de Compra y Venta; según se describe más detalladamente en un documento legal de despensasescapón archivado en la Oficina del Subsuperintendente de Negocioss; cuya venta se realizará en sustancia los términos y condiciones establecidos en una Compra y Acuerdo de Compra, archivada en la Oficinadel Subsuperintendentede Negocios.
4. Elegir dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 y expira el 30 de junio de 2029.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, el Distrito Escolar está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará
parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cuánto del valor total tasado en el registro final de evaluación utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, listará todos los tipos de exenciones concedidas identificadas por la autoridad legal y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado ya sea como una cantidad en dólares de valor impuesto o como un porcentaje del valor total registrado en el registro; (b) la cantidad acumulada que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para los avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web gestionado por el Distrito.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que las peticiones que nominen candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la Secretaria de dicho distrito escolar en su oficina en el Edificio de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 5:00 p.m., Prevaleciendo. Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se consideran cargos separados o específicos; los candidatos se presentan en la categoría de votos libres. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en la Junta para la que el candidato sea nominado; debe ser dirigido al Secretario del Distrito; deben estar firmados por al menos cuarenta y cinco (45) votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando la mayoría de los veinticinco (25) votantes cualificados o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); debe indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, y debe indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio de acuerdo con el §2014
de la Ley de Educación o conforme al artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en una reunión anual o extraordinaria de distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años naturales, es elegible para votar en estas elecciones. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar según el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, también es elegible para votar en estas elecciones. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse.
El registro se realizará con el fin de registrar a todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación hasta el jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., hora vigente, en todos los días ordinarios en que la oficina del Secretario del Distrito esté en funcionamiento, ubicada en el Edificio de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que en ese momento se sepa o se demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en la elección para la que se prepare el registro. La Junta de Registro también se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación el sábado 9 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y la 1:00 pm, en el Edificio de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, para añadir cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilice en dicha elección, en ese momento, cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en la elección para la que se prepare el registro. El último día para registrarse será el jueves 14 de mayo de 2026. El registro así preparado conforme al §2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, y
estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y la 1:00 p.m. en horario predominante, entre semana y cada día anterior al día fijado para la elección, excepto el domingo, y el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026 entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 12:00 p.m., y en el/los colegio(s) de votación el día de la votación.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados en el Distrito Escolar Libre de Wantagh Union solicitando y enviando una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo postal a 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, por correo electrónico a mcguigane@ wantaghschools.org o por fax enviado al (516) 765-4154. La solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026.
Y SE DA UN AVISO
ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Wantagh Union podrán solicitar personalmente al secretario del distrito una solicitud de voto militar, por correo postal a 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, por correo electrónico a mcguigane@ wantaghschools.org, o por fax enviado al (516) 765-4154. En dicha solicitud, el votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Un votante militar debe devolver la solicitud original de la papeleta militar por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793. Para que un votante militar reciba una papeleta militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta militar en la oficina del Secretario
del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta militar recibidas conforme a lo anterior se tramitarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta no militar conforme a la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de la papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que la papeleta militar original de un votante militar debe ser devolta por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793. Las papeletas militares deberán ser consultadas si el Secretario del Distrito las recibe antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibido no más tarde de las 17:00 horas del 19 de mayo de 2026 y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determina no posterior al día anterior a las elecciones.
Y SE DA UN AVISO
ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora vigente, en cada uno de los tres (3) distritos electorales separados para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la votación presupuestaria y la elección que se celebrarán en 2027, y cualquier reunión especial de distrito que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, en la que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de dicha Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a voto en la elección escolar para la que dicho
Registro esté preparada, o cualquier reunión especial de distrito celebrada después del 19 de mayo de 2026.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que las solicitudes para votos por correo anticipado y por correo estarán disponibles durante el horario laboral escolar a través del Secretario del Distrito. Las solicitudes completadas no pueden ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito antes del 20 de abril de 2026, y deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta debe entregarse personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de voto por correo anticipado o por correo. Las papeletas por correo y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.
Una lista de personas a quienes se hayan emitido papeletas de voto por correo, y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se hayan emitido papeletas anticipadas de votantes por correo, estará disponible para su inspección para votantes cualificados del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 5:00 p.m. los días laborables antes del día fijado para las elecciones anuales y el 19 de mayo de 2026, día fijado para la elección. Cualquier votante cualificado podrá, tras examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las cualificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dichas listas, exponiendo los motivos de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación escrita será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o por un representante de la Junta de Educación a los inspectores de elecciones el día de la elección.
Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que cualquier referendo o propuesta para enmendar el presupuesto, o que se someta a votación
Public Notices
en dicha elección, debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito de la Junta de Educación en el Edificio de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793, antes del 20 de abril de 2026, a las 16:00, en el tiempo vigente, salvo que los referendos o propuestas que la ley requiera incluirse en el aviso de la reunión anual deban presentarse al Secretario del Distrito en o antes 20 de marzo de 2026, a las 16:00; debe estar mecanografiada o impresa en inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmado por al menos ciento once (111) votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando la mayor parte del 25 o el 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no admitirá ninguna petición para presentar ante los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las competencias de los votantes para determinar que sea ilegal, ni ninguna propuesta que no incluya una asignación específica cuando la propuesta requiera el gasto de fondos, o cuando exista otra razón válida para excluir la propuesta de la papeleta.
DISTRITOS ELECTORALES ESCOLARES
Y SE DA MÁS AVISO de que se han establecido Distritos Electorales en el Distrito Escolar. Los límites de los distritos electorales, adoptados por resolución de la Junta de Educación, y el lugar en cada distrito electoral para votar serán los siguientes:
DISTRITO ELECTORAL Nº
1 - Todos los votantes que residen al sur de Sunrise Highway votan en la escuela primaria Mandalay, 2667 Bayview Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793.
DISTRITO ELECTORAL Nº
2 - Todos los votantes que residen al norte de Sunrise Highway y al este de Wantagh Parkway votan en la escuela primaria de Wantagh, 1765 Beech Street, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793.
DISTRITO ELECTORAL Nº
3 - Todos los votantes que residan al norte de Sunrise Highway y al oeste de Wantagh Parkway, voten en la escuela primaria Forest Lake, 3100 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, Nueva York 11793.
Fechado: Wantagh, Nueva York 26 de marzo de 2026
Por orden de la CONSEJO DE EDUCACIÓN DE LA DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE WANTAGH UNION
Wantagh, Nueva York
Elaine McGuigan, secretaria del distrito 159212
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTION AND PERSONAL REGISTRATION, LEVITTOWN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual Meeting of the School District, the vote on the School District budget and election of candidates for the School Board of Levittown Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, and the vote on the Public Library budget and election of a candidate for the Board of Trustees for the Levittown Public Library, will be held in the several election districts of the School District at the voting places designated below on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, to vote by ballot on voting machines on the proposition or propositions set forth below, as well as any other propositions which may properly come before the electorate, and to elect members of the Board of Education and to elect a member of the Library Board of Trustees. Shall the following resolutions be adopted:
PROPOSITION NO. 1 SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
BE IT RESOLVED, that the School District budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, as presented to the Board of Education, in the amount of $284,420,293 approved and the necessary taxes be levied therefore on the taxable real property of the district.
PROPOSITION NO. 2
EXPENDITURE OF THE 2023 CAPITAL RESERVE FUND AND UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE FOR SCHOOL BUILDING IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Levittown Union Free School District be hereby authorized to appropriate the balance of the District’s Reserve Funds as follows: 2023 Capital Reserve in the amount of $4,600,000
In addition, the Board of Education is hereby authorized to appropriate up to the sum of $10,400,000 in unassigned fund balance. So that the total appropriation in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 is hereby approved for purposes of performing school building improvement projects, including Districtwide electrical system upgrades; District-wide roof reconditioning and replacement; District-wide interior and exterior masonry restoration; District wide athletic facilities including the addition of restrooms at our high school athletic fields as well as playground reconstruction and indoor practice facilities; District-wide asbestos abatement projects; District-wide roadway reconstruction and site improvements; District-wide bathroom reconstruction; Districtwide instructional space renovations, and for any similar projects as contained in the District’s five year Capital Facilities Plan adopted by the Board of Education on March 25, 2026. Expenditures from the Capital Reserves will not increase the tax levy.
PROPOSITION NO. 3
LIBRARY BUDGET RESOLVED, that the Public Library Budget for the fiscal year 20262027 proposed by the Library Board of Trustees of the Levittown Public Library heretofore filed pursuant to law shall be approved and the necessary taxes be levied therefore on the taxable real property of the district.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education and for the office of member
of the Library Board of Trustees must be filed with the District Clerk between the hours of 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM Monday through Friday but no later than between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. on April 20, 2026. Forms of the petitions may be obtained from the District Clerk.
The following vacancies are to be filled on the Board of Education: Three (3) members each for the term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2029.
A separate petition is required to nominate a candidate for member of the Board of Education. The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Each petition must be directed to the District Clerk, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, or 2% of the voters who voted in the 2025 election, whichever is greater, and shall state the residence of each person who signed, must state the name and residence of the candidate and the length of the term of office. This year all nominating petitions must include 41 signatures.
The following vacancies are to be filled on the Library Board of Trustees: One (1) member for the term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2031.
A separate petition is required to nominate a candidate for member of the Library Board of Trustees. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the term which ends June 30, 2031. Each petition must be directed to the District Clerk, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, or 2% of the voters who voted in the 2025 election for members of the Library Board of Trustees, whichever is greater, and shall state the residence of each person who signed, must state the name and residence of the candidate and the length of the term of office. This year all nominating petitions must include 38 signatures.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a statement
of estimated expenses for the 2026-2027 school year will be presented at a Public Hearing on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM in the Board Meeting Room of the Levittown Memorial Education Center and copies of such
statement, as well as the statement of the amount of money required for the 20262027 fiscal year of the Public Library, will be made available on the District’s website and at each schoolhouse and library in the District during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen (14) calendar days immediately preceding the election together with the text of any resolution which will be presented to the voters.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is required and only those persons whose names appear on the register of the said school district, or who are registered pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, shall be entitled to vote at said meeting and election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that all qualified voters who have previously registered for any annual or special meeting or election and have voted at any annual or special election held or conducted at any time within four (4) calendar years prior to this year are not required to register with the Board of Registration for this meeting.
All other persons who wish to vote must register. A voter may register at the office of the District Clerk of the Levittown UFSD between the hours of 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM on school days provided that such registration is effected no later than May 14, 2026.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that said register will be filed in the office of the District Clerk and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election, except Sunday, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, on
Monday through Friday and on Saturday May 16, 2026, by prearranged appointment in the office of the District Clerk and at each voting place on the day of the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that absentee ballots for those eligible pursuant to the provision of Section 2018a of the Education Law are available, and that applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the office of the Clerk on each of the five (5) calendar days prior to the day of election except Sunday, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Monday through Friday and on Saturday May 16, 2026, by prearranged appointment. in the office of the District Clerk. Such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) calendar days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. No absentee voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 2018-e of the Education Law, applications for early mail ballots may be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk of the School District, during all days in which the School District is in session. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than April 20, 2026 and by May 12, 2026, if the early mail ballot is to be mailed to the voter. If the early mail ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter at the Office of the District Clerk the completed application must be received by the District Clerk no later than May 18, 2026. No early mail voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the Office of the District Clerk of the School District no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026. A list of all persons to whom early ballots have been issued will be available in the Office of the District Clerk’s office during
office hours on and after May 13, 2026 until May 19, 2026, except on Saturday May 16, 2026, by prearranged appointment. A challenge to an early voting ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that during the voting hours on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, in the various election districts, the Board of Registration will meet to receive registrations for subsequent elections. During the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM on voting days, the District Clerk shall be in her office at the Levittown Memorial Education Center, 150 Abbey Lane, Levittown, NY 11756.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law requires the District to attach to its proposed budget an Exemption Report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. In addition, said exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on the District’s website.
FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, Military Voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the District by submitting a Military Voter Registration Application to the District Clerk, no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. A copy of the Military Voter Registration Application is available both by contacting the District Clerk by email at vesposito@ levittownschools. com and online at the District’s website located at <http://www. levittownschools.com/>. Military voters who are
qualified voters of the District may submit an application for a military ballot. A Military Voter is entitled to designate a preference to receive a Military Voter Registration Application, Military Ballot Application or Military Ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail. Such designation will remain in effect until revoked or changed by the voter. If no preference is designated, the District will transmit the Military Voter Registration Application, Military Ballot Application or Military Ballot by mail. Military Voter Ballot Application forms must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military Ballots will not be canvassed unless they are received by the District Clerk on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026.
SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS:
The boundaries of the school election districts and the place of each election district for voting and registration shall be as follows:
ELECTION DISTRICT #1 - GARDINERS AVENUE
SCHOOL
Beginning at Wantagh Parkway and Chase Lane; east on Chase Lane to Center Lane, thence south to Prairie Lane; thence east to Gardiners Avenue; thence south to Slate Lane; then east and north to Swan Lane; then east and north to Grey Lane; continuing east to Wantagh Avenue; thence south on Wantagh Avenue to Jerusalem Avenue; thence west to Oakfield Avenue; continuing north to Old Jerusalem Road; thence east on Old Jerusalem Road to Wantagh Parkway Line; north along Line to the point of beginning.
ELECTION DISTRICT #2 - EAST BROADWAY SCHOOL
Beginning at north side of Southern State Parkway and east side of Wantagh Avenue; north on Wantagh to Miller Place; thence east to Exit Lane; thence south to Elm Drive; thence west to Elbow Lane; thence southwest to End Lane; south to End Lane and Elm Drive East to Pope Street; thence east to District Line; thence south to Regent Lane; thence east to Red Maple Drive; thence northeast, and south to Regal Lane;
Public Notices
east on Regal Lane and Cordwood Lane to Arlington Drive; thence southeast to Town Line; thence south to Southern State Parkway; west along Parkway to point of beginning. Beginning at south side of Southern State Parkway and west side of Town Line; south on Town Line to Jerusalem Avenue; thence west to Wantagh Avenue; thence north to Southern State Parkway; thence east to point of beginning.
ELECTION DISTRICT #3LEVITTOWN MEMORIAL EDUCATION CENTER
Beginning at east side of Wantagh Parkway and south side of Hempstead Turnpike; east on Hempstead Turnpike to Silver Lane; thence south to Forge Lane; thence east to Cotton Lane; thence southeasterly to Wantagh Avenue; then south to Grey Lane; thence west to Swan Lane; then southwesterly to Slate Lane; then south to Gardiners Avenue, thence north to Prairie Lane; thence west to Center Lane; thence north to Chase Lane; thence west to Wantagh Parkway Line; north along Line to point of beginning.
ELECTION DISTRICT #4DIVISION AVENUE HIGH SCHOOL
Beginning at north side of Hempstead Turnpike and west side of Jerusalem Avenue; west on Hempstead Turnpike to District Boundary Line at Wantagh State Parkway; thence northeast to northerly border of School District; east on Boundary Line (Flamingo Rd., Magpie Lane, Blacksmith Rd) to Jerusalem Avenue; thence south to point of beginning.
Dated: Levittown, New York March 2026
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
LEVITTOWN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK 159201
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016
SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARIAN LUCIANI, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 2, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 12 Grant Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.
All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Central Park, Township of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 46, Block 12 and Lot 9-10. Approximate amount of judgment is $572,075.68 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 607824/2023.
Jason S. Vishnick, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 200965-5 159494
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR OCWEN LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST 2023-HB1, Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES PAUL ROMANO, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE ROMANO, DECEASED, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report, Amend the Caption, and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 16, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 4 Patricia Court, Bethpage, NY 11714. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County
of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52, Block 310 and Lot 40 f/k/a Part of Lot 39. Approximate amount of judgment is $478,059.61 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 603268/2020.
Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee
Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159622
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, -againstJASON D. THOMPSON, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 4, 2026, wherein BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is the Plaintiff and JASON D. THOMPSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 19, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 161 DUCK POND DRIVE NORTH, WANTAGH, NY 11793; and the following tax map identification: 51-426-28.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 613169/2023. Paul L. Meli, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION
OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159616
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED TRUST SERIES INABS 2005-D, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN
ASSET-BACKED
CERTIFICATES SERIES INABS 2005-D, -againstJOHNNY ROJAS, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on December 22, 2025, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED TRUST SERIES INABS 2005-D, HOME EQUITY
MORTGAGE LOAN
ASSET-BACKED
CERTIFICATES SERIES
INABS 2005-D is the Plaintiff and JOHNNY ROJAS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 3, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2192 CYPRESS STREET, WANTAGH, NY 11793; and the following tax map identification: 57-131-110, 111 & 112. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN WANTAGH, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 607443/2022. Patricia Ann Rooney, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales
Wantagh School District celebrates student artists
Two dozen students from the Wantagh School District were recognized for their artwork at the board of education meeting on April 16.
The elementary, middle and high school students were honored for being selected to the 2026 All-County Art Exhibit, hosted by the Art Supervisors Association.
“We’re super fortunate here in the district to have an outstanding art department and really talented artists,” John McNamara, superintendent of the Wantagh School District, said. “It’s a program that continues to grow and we are thrilled to recognize our All-County artists.”
Kelly Jones, director of fine and per-
forming arts and business education for the district, said the students should be proud of their work. Each student received a certificate of achievement. The students recognized were Sarah Bernstein, Morgan Capps, Hollie Casale, Angelina Conigliaro, Meghan Cox, Paige Cronin, Elyse Dennis, Joseph Divella, James Garelick, Matthew Glasser, Diana Goncalves, Haylee Grassi, Alyssa Kimball, Nathan Levine, Brooke Lydon, Riley McDermott, Elena Michaleski, Lilianna Nicoletti, Ava Pasqua, Richard Raffio, Mia Rispoli, Benjamin Smith, Samantha Tietz and Nolan Wenzel.
Public Notices
will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159896
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR SG MORTGAGE SECURITIES BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FRE2, Plaintiffagainst - SUZANNE M. BRADY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment
of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 15, 2019. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 2nd day of June, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. Premises known as 3677 Smith Street, Wantagh, NY 11793. (SBL#: 57-89-105) Approximate amount of lien $614,197.89 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 010340/2015. John G. Kennedy, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: March 31, 2026
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and
maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 159843
— Hunter Fenollol
Courtesy Wantagh School District
The Wantagh Board of Education honored this year’s All-County artists at their April 16 meeting
Space Meets Style!
There’s not much creativity in suburban building design
Q. My daughter is in architecture school, and she has always had an interest in doing more artistic things, thinking outside the box, so to say. When she comes back home after architecture school, she wants to look for somewhere that she can do more artistic designs, not just the ordinary kinds of buildings that you see around us, for the most part. Where would you recommend that she look? What communities are more open to doing unusual designs?
A. Not on Long Island. I, too, was once a starry-eyed young architecture graduate, ready to change the world with groundbreaking designs that inspired forward thinking, etc. I even got an amazing opportunity I didn’t plan on when I was hired to work in a firm that landed three entire cities to redesign Jeddah, Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Between my minor in city planning and studying with a group called Superstudio in Florence, Italy, I ,too, thought this was the most extraordinary opportunity. And it was, for a time, but the process of building design is very long, and cash flow changes by the day. The city design started with a lot of statistical analysis, referred to as the scope of work or program, which was better suited to an accountant, so that by the time the design phase began, the cost analysis showed that the exciting ideas had to be cut back.
On Long Island, government regulations such as zoning, parking, height restrictions, use allowances, groundwater containment you get the idea create so many restrictions that artistic creativity is limited. Then you encounter architectural review boards that won’t let you deviate from their version of local styles, such as no flat roofs in some communities, to adding colonial trim details and only specific colors. If you ever notice in architecture magazines, most of the more creative, curvy or flat-roof homes are somewhere out away from cities. The land of the free isn’t so free when it comes to suburban building design.
Your daughter will need to search for communities with fewer restrictions, away from populated or conservative towns and villages, if she wants to generate her ideas. You could bond over road trips, like my family did. My father was an aerospace engineer who worked on Saturn, Gemini and Apollo rockets, and my mother was an interior designer, so we set out to find the latest new designs by piling into the family car and traveling all over. Fortunately, with the internet, your daughter can research the regulations of community governments before you drive off to the horizon.
Remember, some things that stand out may have taken many years to even get permission because of restrictions and politics. For example, the Guggenheim Museum, on Manhattan’s Central Park, a complete departure from convention, took 14 years to obtain approvals to build. Even the replacement World Trade Center tower took three years to get final approvals. Your daughter must persist if she wants to fulfill her dreams. Good luck!
Ask The Architect
Monte Leeper
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
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Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
Data Analyst New York Sage Prep Inc in Jericho, NY seeks a Data Analyst ($79456/yr - $82000/yr) to analyze student performance data; track key metrics; design, develop and maintain data dashboards and reports; monitor marketing campaign performance and conduct ROI analysis; assist in forecasting student enrollment; ensure system data accuracy; and prepare periodic reports. Must have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field. Must also have 3 months’ experience as a data analyst, or related occupation with concentration in data analysis. Mail resume to New York Sage Prep Inc, 15 Jericho Tpke, Jericho, NY 11753
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EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR PT. Immediate. Weekdays. Organized, writing, social media, office management skills. $22- $27/hr. Email resume/ cover letter church@clcwantagh.org.
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Federal funding has helped science thrive on L.I.
While the headlines have focused on science funding cuts at elite national universities, we shouldn’t lose sight of the local impact. Long Island is home to major research centers, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell and Stony Brook University, among others.
The $47 billion in cuts to the National Science Foundation and other federal sources of research funding affect those institutions, too. The administration has halted thousands of approved grants for projects focusing on infectious diseases, energy management and quantitative computing, while also releasing staff and curtailing new funding, causing major upheavals in research.
Some now argue that the United States model for research, involving universities, research institutes and private corporations, should change because there’s too much reliance on unstable federal support. Fair enough, but first we should ask how we got here, and how federal support became so important. Our current research enterprise originated in World War II. Reflecting on the
immense and immediate response of universities and scientific laboratories to the war effort, Dr. Vannevar Bush, an engineer at MIT, accepted President Harry Truman’s invitation to write a report on what worked and how to plan for the future.
years. They include support for federal student aid, immigration policy and grant programs for basic and applied research at universities and private companies.
RBush assembled several committees of experts to examine the issues, and wrote an essay entitled, “Science: The Endless Frontier.” In it he summarized the various reports and recommended goals and a strategy for the president to consider.
First, Bush highlighted the fact that many of the discoveries and advances that aided the war effort were made by scholars who had migrated to the United States from countries under totalitarian rule. One conclusion was that immigration was an important source of intellectual talent. A second was that the war had kept millions of Americans from advanced education, and that we should create a program that offered them opportunities to earn college and higher degrees. The G.I. Bill was one result.
esearch here has led the world, and Washington shouldn’t forget that.
The war also gave birth to the Grumman Corporation, which mass-produced aircraft as well as an innovative wing configuration that made it possible to fit more planes on aircraft carriers. The story of how this unique folding feature was developed from a model using two paper clips and a soap eraser is engineering legend. That same spirit launched the lunar module that transported two astronauts to the surface of the moon.
Another example is Brookhaven National Laboratory, established on an unused Army base in1946 by a consortium of nine major universities. Today it is a leader in high-energy physics, materials chemistry, national security and nonproliferation, neurosciences and computational sciences.
A significant source of science innovation is Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, home to eight Nobel Prize winners in physiology and medicine. It has an education division that awards doctoral degrees, hosts international conferences and partners with regional medical schools affiliated with Hofstra/Northwell and Stony Brook University.
Stony Brook’s prominence is grounded in biomedical science, including work that led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2003. Other research is dedicated to understanding and addressing water quality challenges on Long Island, in the interest of restoring the health of bays and waterways, safeguarding fisheries and protecting the coastal environment that is so central to the region’s identity and economics.
A third conclusion was that the country needed systemic support for ongoing research and advanced learning not limited to defense. The National Science Foundation was another result.
The models that Bush’s report inspired have worked well for over 80
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, established in 1999, is home to 50 research labs, 2,500 clinical trial studies and 5,000 professional and support staff. They conduct research in molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, neuroscience, behavioral science and bioelectronic medicine.
Together, these Long Island enterprises employ thousands and operate with millions of dollars in federal grants. They contribute to improved health outcomes and the economic well-being of individuals and communities. The products and services they develop create businesses, expand services and contribute tax revenue that supports our schools and public services. Rather than shutter these programs, let’s work together to remember why they exist and consider how they can improve even further.
Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”
My colleagues in Congress did the right thing — finally
In January, I received a phone call at my Garden City office that no parent should ever have to make.
Andrew Jedlicka, a father from Merrick, whose 5-year-old son is fighting a rare and debilitating genetic disorder, was desperately seeking help. The only lab in the world treating, and potentially capable of curing, his son was set to shut down because its federal funding had run out.
The lab, in Queens, had been partially funded by grants from a federal program known as the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer. The program is branded as “America’s Seed Fund” for high-risk, highreward medical and technological research and development that is often not attractive to investors. The federal funding is the crucial factor to incentivize and enable private-sector investment
in these types of innovations.
For the Jedlicka family and others, SBIR/STTR program dollars promise a future for a child whose life depends on them. And the program not only aids the families and smallbusiness owners who directly benefit from it; it also grows and strengthens our economy and enhances the United States’ competitive edge and dominance in medicine and technology. For every dollar the federal government invests in SBIR/STTR, taxpayers see a return of $22 to $33 in economic impact.
I helped a unique lab in Queens get some of those crucial federal funds.
The program has supported everything from new, innovative cancer treatments to semiconductors that power our lives to the world’s smallest heart pumps. It should have been reauthorized without delay. Unfortunately, it ground to a halt in late 2025, leaving small businesses and families like the Jedlickas in peril.
Andrew’s plea was heartbreaking — I certainly understood the anguish and
fear his family felt, and was determined to break the gridlock and get his family the help they needed. Reauthorizing the program had broad bipartisan support — a bill had passed the House, but because of delays in the Senate, the program expired without being reauthorized.
I immediately reached out to and pushed my colleagues on the Senate Small Business Committee, including the chair, to work across the aisle to reauthorize the program. Following my efforts, the Senate finally reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize funding for five years.
After passage of a revised bill in the Senate, followed by the House, with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority, we thought the Jedlicka family’s nightmare might be over. But then, instead of moving to the president’s desk, the bill inexplicably sat on the House speaker’s desk for weeks, awaiting his signature. There was no good reason for this, and on April 1, I demanded that the speaker
act. Two days later, the bill was at last presented to the president, and on April 13 it was finally signed into law.
I’m glad colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to finally reauthorize the SBIR/STTR program. This long-overdue victory belongs to Andrew and his son, and it is an honor to fight on their behalf. Andrew’s relentless advocacy shows how one father can make a real difference for Americans at a time when constant partisanship in Washington leaves many families feeling helpless. His family, and others facing the diagnosis of a rare disease, should never have faced this uncertainty.
My office is now working to ensure that the National Institutes of Health moves the funding to the lab immediately. We have extended vital medical research funding for the next five years, but Washington should not need a crisis to compel it to act. I will never stop fighting for Long Island families, and will use every tool available to cut through the partisanship and political games that put their futures at risk.
Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
Long Island must make pedestrians safer now
atroubling pattern is emerging across Nassau and Suffolk counties — and it should force leaders in both to act with urgency. In recent weeks, there have been a number of serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians in our communities, from Wantagh to Freeport, Rockville Centre and Lindenhurst.
In Wantagh on March 9, a 53-year-old woman was killed when a pickup truck struck her while it was making a turn at an intersection. On April 4, In Freeport, a 66-year-old man died after being hit while crossing Merrick Road, with police later charging the driver for a hitand-run.
In Rockville Centre on April 10, a 76-year-old woman died of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. And in Lindenhurst on April 15, an 85-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a vehicle making a left turn. These were not isolated incidents. They were part of a steady, devastating rhythm of crashes that too often end in tragedy for people doing something routine — crossing the street.
Even in Long Beach, where city officials are now reviewing traffic data in an effort to improve safety, the response remains reactive. Studying the problem isn’t the same as solving it. Long Island has reached the point where analysis
letters
Ferretti
favors status quo amid the housing crisis
To the Editor:
The “local control” lauded by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti in his April 16-22 op-ed, “REVIVE Act is the wrong solution to the housing crisis,” is spelled NIMBY, for Not In My Backyard, and he spells it out by rote. On Long Island, local control is widespread, a slogan for a politician’s assertion of veto power.
It is, in effect, a feudal remnant of the creation days of “suburbia,” shaped by the interests of bankers, builders, insurance and real estate. It was an illusion then, and is now a distraction from broader visions needed for a better future. Mr. Ferretti’s claim that REVIVE is the wrong solution suggests some better choice on offer. The one he offers is the status quo — a denial, in effect, that any crisis exists.
The REVIVE Act will benefit the same interests named above, and will not solve the housing crisis alone, but “house” construction is core to any solution, and thus the right one for the present.
must give way to action.
The uncomfortable truth is that Nassau and Suffolk are still operating under an outdated suburban model of road design that prioritizes speed and vehicle flow over human safety. Wide lanes encourage faster driving. Long crossing distances expose pedestrians to danger. Intersections are designed for convenience, not caution.
We do not need to reinvent the solution. We need to look west.
New York City, through its Vision Zero initiative, has spent years reshaping its streets with a different philosophy: that no loss of life on the road is acceptable. That approach has led to lower speed limits, redesigned intersections, pedestrian islands, expanded enforcement and a fundamental shift in the way streets are used. The results haven’t been perfect, but they have been meaningful. Fatalities have declined over time, and the conversation has changed.
Now the city is going even further, considering a “full stop” rule that would require drivers and cyclists to remain stopped at intersections until pedestrians have completely crossed the street — not just cleared their immediate path. It is a simple idea with powerful implications: The pedestrian comes first, fully and without compromise.
Long Island should not wait to see how that proposal plays out. The princi-
ple behind it is already clear, logical, and overdue here.
And not every solution requires tearing up asphalt. Some changes can happen quickly: reducing speed limits on local roads, increasing enforcement of failure-to-yield laws, improving signage and crosswalk visibility, and launching public-awareness campaigns that reinforce a culture of caution.
The data makes this urgency undeniable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 90 percent of crashes in the United States are tied, at least in part, to human error — speeding, distraction, poor judgment. That means safer systems are not optional; they are essential. Road design must anticipate mistakes and reduce their consequences.
Long Island has the benefit of proximity to one of the largest real-world laboratories for traffic safety reform. The question is whether its leaders are willing to learn from its city neighbors. How many more deaths will it take before that happens?
The recent fatalities in our area shouldn’t fade into the background of the next news cycle. They should serve as a call to action. Nassau and Suffolk must act now to prioritize pedestrians, redesign dangerous roads and adopt proven safety measures. The cost of waiting is already far too high.
opinions Advanced economics: the bacon, egg and cheese effect
economic trends remain solid on Long Island and across most of the united States, yet consumers still seem “unhappy.” Measures of sentiment, both local and national, are more downbeat than some relevant information would suggest.
For example, inflation, as measured in the consumer price index, continues to moderate from the highs of 2022, up 3.3 percent in March nationwide, while our region was up 3.6 percent. Even with higher gas prices likely to fuel an uptick in inflation overall, we’ve been seeing moderating trends.
Even so, the cumulative increase in inflation since early 2017 remains roughly 32 percent. Prices have gone up over the past five years, and consumers haven’t forgotten it, even if the recent trends are more moderate — or even if they temporarily move in the wrong direction.
Letters
Do your part to keep construction workers safe
To the Editor:
The perception that prices are still going higher can be partially attributed to what we call the Snickers Bar Effect: consumers remember the prices of more frequent purchases. Economists at uBS began examining this issue in early 2024, and it remains highly relevant today. In 2020, the popular candy bar cost $1.50, but today it costs $2.39, an increase of nearly 80 percent. Most consumers, however, don’t know how much their car insurance has gone up over the past few years.
Ysis suggests that in 2015, the average price of a BEc was $3, and in 2020 it was $4.25. Today it’s closer to $7.50. People see the higher prices every morning, which reminds them daily that expenses are higher.
ou’re more likely to know about its price increases than those of your insurance.
We’re all much more aware of the price increases on everyday products, which creates a sense that inflation is still surging. So, even though it has in fact been moderating, most consumers still feel that prices are too high.
For those who don’t scarf down a mix of savory peanuts, caramel and chocolate for breakfast, lunch or a snack several times a week, let’s drill down to a very Long Island-specific product: the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Nearly every neighborhood deli or bodega serves it, on a roll or a bagel. Our analy-
Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign reminding motorists that warmer temperatures bring an increase in construction activities along our transportation system.
Here on Long Island, the state Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of paving and bridge projects this year. For the safety of the highway workers doing this work, NYSDOT will deploy signs, cones, barrels and attenuators to make these work zones as visible as possible. Motorists, however, must also do their part to ensure that our workers return home safely each night: slow down, move over and stay alert. Honoring this simple request can save a life.
Earlier this year, a NYSDOT worker was senselessly struck by a vehicle while setting up a closure on the Long Island Expressway. It’s a miracle that worker survived. Throughout this construction season, in an effort to better protect our workers, NYSDOT will be working with our police partners on targeted enforcement, and will be deploying automated speed-enforcement cameras in our work zones. Thank you for doing your part to keep our highway workers safe.
RIcHARD cAuSIN L.I. regional director, New York State Department of Transportation Hauppauge
To be clear, it isn’t just Snickers, bacon, egg and cheeses or even overall inflation that weighs on purchasers on Long Island. Data shows that consumers are also worried about possible layoffs, the seeming likelihood of artificial intelligence replacing jobs, and the so-called K-shaped economy, in which high earners thrive while low earners struggle. These concerns are real, even if they aren’t fully showing up in the hard economic data.
Recent survey data reinforces this point. A few months ago, PKF O’connor Davies, in partnership with the Siena Research Institute, released its annual Long Island Economic Survey–Outlook 2026. Like consumers, Long Island businesses also seem more worried about the economy, even though current trends are solid. Economic sentiment in
Framework by Tim Baker
the survey is the third lowest since 1995. Even with March housing data showing continued strength and the stock market rebounding dramatically, affordability and inflation for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties remain issues. If you bought a home five or more years ago, you are sitting on strong price appreciation. But if you’re entering the market today, there aren’t enough reasonably priced alternatives. Entry-level buyers are being squeezed, and affordability remains a major problem. That’s why the Long Island Association and business leaders have been advocating for federal, state and local support for more housing development. Sentiment matters, because it drives spending, hiring and investment decisions. When consumers and business leaders feel downbeat, they may pull back — even in a relatively solid economy. until they begin to feel relief in their day-to-day purchases, housing becomes more attainable and there’s less volatility in economic news, that disconnect is likely to persist, even if the numbers continue to tell a more positive story.
Steven Kent is chief economist at the Long Island Association. Comments? Skent@longislandassociation.org.
Showing the teachers a few new tricks, much to the amusement of their students — Hewlett High School
