[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6291831,"mediaKeyId","2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7","parentId",2529214,"title","District recognizes long-serving staff members announcing retirements","audioSeconds",222,"startMs",3547000,"endMs",3769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7&start=3547&end=3769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7/thumbnail_3547000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291831/New-York/District-recognizes-long-serving-staff-members-announcing-retirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291831-658f658babd6eb5c16fbf088dcd3b853/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156097&Signature=FmKhM2BTVnVyJrarCSkW8xHvJwMhCXyE3ZBQomwYTGXhRm9SkWP3BEYLc2wCg8GnKt320O4YCKeilZaO3BdPCvM3Kf4MyN4CC8CuqCM2X0OmVOiJCvcXX~Spca4SqrOtIvk2VWTEvDvweSFApZjdXgFSSu9vuKT0x-9Q6zVAa8gLRlurVk6kv8UvcbgFGkBRfe~3y51a~Br-x~SugKDmbRujIduvg37zHPO2C7NAX~We99twLSKRmt8spShpnjcwbnESEXq9Xp8qvQ4gILTzC~2SGsEjrRNSC~dczKOtfkIzsoRf8ztAgIN-4HbH5dm0-7aRJCQ20RBJYAClWY~htw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-07T15:32:26Z","article","Board members and district leaders publicly acknowledged several longtime employees who announced their intention to retire this summer, honoring decades of service to the Massapequa Union Free School District.

Superintendent Dr. Brennan asked the audience to join in congratulating Anne Marie Balizzi (referred to as \"Emery\" in remarks), who has served the district since 1988 and as district clerk since January 2001. Dr. Brennan recounted Balizzi's career progression from part-time business-office work to typist clerk and stenographic secretary, and said Balizzi assisted in hundreds of board meetings over nearly four decades. \"It's going to be incredibly difficult to fill your shoes,\" Dr. Brennan said during the recognition.

The board also announced the upcoming retirements of Henrika Moskowitz, a cleaner at Berner Middle School since 2005, and Judy Commercherel, a senior stenographer in Human Resources since 2003. Administrators thanked the employees for their long service and wished them well in retirement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting - 3/6/25 (Budget Presentation #2)","oneSentenceSummary","The board and superintendent recognized long-time district employees who announced intentions to retire, including the district clerk with 37 years of service and other staff in HR and custodial roles.","taxTitle","MASSAPEQUA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38484,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6291835,"Votes at a glance: Massapequa Board approves routine personnel, contracts and recommendations",103,7510000,7613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7&start=7510&end=7613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7/thumbnail_7510000.jpg","/articles/6291835/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Massapequa-Board-approves-routine-personnel-contracts-and-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291835-1781ee722aa602c480167fae7cfc40aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156097&Signature=n~9Sd5d7n8JIWgCTV8W04NL4L7lMvDczkKBpcZgVPT9xP3YjCsR0yebSaw38pm0qn6KiaOVuax3un5r14kSU1iKxNQ4xvhRomBwUSKnLnxKLJdLthYd2MhnsUpfRM-qSiXCBK-KfKeImyamBqhj2JAYoL40LYYF~0TWd9plilS~uZQ6DOB8ravB-eYCujZMsoXVfplrz8ePiCJlF7d-KTDDpJZmzvMyguhvE~~N~yrvX4iSG1c8syY~LV9opmQMCofSdVyE~ZzkoqFo49vfNQdL1-BwyZb6ErB3kqTHTsOkXE3Ihcqe53uLLYFHDUo~FPo~LHh1e7aXxgZgeyJ8uHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting the Massapequa Board of Education approved routine procedural items and a set of resolutions on personnel, contracts and capital work.

The board voted by voice to approve minutes from the Feb. 6 meeting, financial reports, personnel actions (certificate and noncertificate appointments) and a series of resolutions (listed below). In each case the transcript records standard voice votes of \"Aye\" and no recorded opposition or roll-call tallies.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from the Feb. 6 meeting: Motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"Aye.\" (Transcript: \"All in favor? Aye.\")

- Approval of financial reports: Motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"Aye.\"

- Approval of personnel actions (certificate and noncertificate appointments and extensions): Motions moved and seconded; voice votes recorded as \"Aye.\"

- Resolution 2: Approve students listed for home instruction. Motion moved, seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\"

- Resolution 3: Appoint individuals to the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education for the 2024-25 school year as required by part 200 regulations. Motion moved, seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\"

- Resolution 4: Approve agreements between the district and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) local unit; authorizes the board president to sign the agreements. Motion moved, seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\"

- Resolution 5: Accept updated risk-assessment reports for the 2024-25 school year performed by Sereny and Associates. Motion moved, seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\"

- Resolution 6: Approve contracts with Crestwood Country Day Camp; authorizes the board president to sign. Motion moved, seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\"

- Resolution 7: Reject the bid for roof restoration at Burge Lane Elementary School; district will re-evaluate and rebid the project. Motion moved, seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\"

Board members moved and seconded each item; the transcript records only voice approvals (\"Aye\"). The transcript does not provide named motioners or seconds for the motions or numerical roll-call tallies, so recorded outcomes are based on the meeting's voice votes.","The board approved routine minutes, financial reports, personnel actions and seven resolutions including home-instruction listings, CSE appointments, collective-bargaining agreements, risk-assessment acceptance, camp contracts and rejecting a bid for roof restoration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6291840,"Board reviews proposed student-board policy and state-driven policy updates on records and extreme heat",112,2690000,2802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7&start=2690&end=2802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7/thumbnail_2690000.jpg","/articles/6291840/New-York/Board-reviews-proposed-student-board-policy-and-state-driven-policy-updates-on-records-and-extreme-heat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291840-b89d4906072ae0e460c4715ff1a5bdf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156097&Signature=B-eqBGQXJiwjWQVpBMj9zrGoV5CtKaIMfsajKv69HoL6Y6p2hycYRbYgsUS18rMXDiqxEsstOuUzgy~dIpMKAEGP1Hr~n~pZEHWGII8FMKIDrJDyzL7EEq9ZsR6drqoQgu~uCDbBKDUDaeLuhBNEMVC56C69P-d0IvnIJ4DhtAv89P7v43iRDHdMf6ki2PJeAcKGuQhmwbvIBZ6t8j6YmX2oe~hnszn59Wyce3NI8VFAnonb9ylR5wBYqhWT96fv-sV~GJdvTqPx4xHYDsLO6lrTNRDEctX9jU52t1rgAd3978Z1hs-tP9ApdfRn9-LcXw2M6r8NExE80JF~0hubHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massapequa Board of Education reviewed draft policy language to implement a state requirement for an ex officio student member and considered two other state-driven policy updates concerning public-records notifications and extreme-heat response.

The board discussed a sample policy that would create a student member on the board as an ex officio participant. The high school principal suggested electing a student by the student body rather than appointing an existing student-government president because of scheduling challenges. Board members noted the district already has student-advisory channels, including monthly student-advisory meetings and an athletic-advisory committee with student representation, and asked administrators to review the statutory requirement and whether a formal policy is required or whether guidelines could suffice.

On public records, administrators noted the policy language updates reflect a change to the state's public-officers law (Part 87), which requires notification to former or current employees when disciplinary records are released under FOIL. The district proposed adding language so that FOIL releases of disciplinary records trigger required notifications.

The board also reviewed a new state requirement for extreme-heat protocols that recommends actions when indoor temperatures exceed 82 or 88 degrees. Administrators cautioned that suggested sample language to open classroom doors could conflict with building security, and said most instructional spaces in the district are air-conditioned but some gymnasiums and cafeterias are not. Board members asked staff to craft locally appropriate language and to have a final policy in place before the state practice begins in July.","Board members reviewed sample policy language to create an ex officio student board member as required by state law and discussed proposed policy updates on public-records notification and extreme-heat protocols for spaces without air conditioning.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6291845,"Massapequa presents preliminary 2025-26 budget with increases in special education, curriculum and cybersecurity",2005,4949000,6954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7&start=4949&end=6954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7/thumbnail_4949000.jpg","/articles/6291845/New-York/Massapequa-presents-preliminary-2025-26-budget-with-increases-in-special-education-curriculum-and-cybersecurity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291845-e3dce853b38ecfb77a444b4821324b8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156097&Signature=nCIJuH7PM~u8PjGYdaVSIIvwwgHh2NmInUJ3tg3JIKbA5lTXNenUCfxg1~wtSkHKmgyGUuy~Al~CjWT5PMGjdIKKca3EqpDmIxsuUrfcvxA~f5X8TGlMFlxTgE1J-AHQ3CBh0kaa1DKqjUwTiX9Y8PfhhBmFZnFuqdxR7pDIKQewwKmVxL4QbgcElkGLBFzGsukQQ07H71brllOAkjpQ4SBGjlAMnBQ3A3iesbDXZvtxOrMYnHUGVEOg3x1-HIU-IMuxzpUA7GSp9~UPPUlcTAWOJlbAX1eZoLs0dp6dSR0hyBUgyxt8GYHEw7z-H7ioXDapV---ereM0YAxRPm-tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders presented a detailed first look at the draft 2025-26 budget, highlighting offsetting retiree-related salary savings, rising special-education and consultant costs, investments in new science curriculum materials, and continued pressure from software and cybersecurity expenses.

Ryan Ruff, assistant superintendent for business, said the budget team has prepared 192 budget codes and that the draft aligns with the district's long-range plans. He told the board the district will submit its tax-levy limit calculation by the March 1 filing deadline and emphasized that the calculation shows the maximum levy the district could adopt, not what administrators are recommending.

Administrators told the board that salary savings from roughly 14 teacher retirements produce near-term budgetary relief but that special-education tuition and consultant lines have risen. The district budget includes about $4.6 million in private-school and out-of-district tuition to serve approximately 36 resident students placed outside district schools, and separate BOCES placements currently serve roughly 46 students.

On special education, finance staff said psychological and psychiatric evaluation costs have increased and that the district is budgeting more for outside evaluations and private placements. A transcript exchange noted the special-education tuition code covers approximately 36 students and a separate BOCES-placement line covers about 46 students; staff said figures could change as Committee on Special Education (CSE) decisions are finalized.

The draft budget includes increased allocations for curriculum partnerships—Ruff cited Cold Spring Harbor Labs moving some costs into the general fund after prior grant support—and for new science curricular materials for Earth and space science and biology courses. Administrators also highlighted technology and cybersecurity lines, noting rising software costs and ongoing work to streamline licenses.

On student support, district leaders proposed moving from a contracted social-services provider (YES) to hiring six full-time elementary social workers. The current contract with YES is about $495,000; the district estimated six full-time social workers' salaries and benefits could total about $753,000, an added cost of roughly $258,000 if the transition is made. Administrators said turnover among contracted social workers and the benefits of full-time staff drove the proposal, and they said final decisions depend on state-aid numbers and the board's priorities.

The presentation also covered smaller items such as equipment-threshold changes (equipment capitalization moved to a $1,000 minimum), library management, adult education revenue offsets and an unexpected rise in driver-education contract costs due to insurance increases.","District staff reviewed the draft 2025-26 budget, highlighting planned curriculum purchases, BOCES services, special-education tuition and a proposal to hire elementary social workers rather than contract services.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6291849,"Students and district push to add lights to Massapequa softball field; board flags capital-reserve vote",5101,2075000,7176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7&start=2075&end=7176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529214-8eb4e58d41ed1a86cccae25ac80e56a7/thumbnail_2075000.jpg","/articles/6291849/New-York/Students-and-district-push-to-add-lights-to-Massapequa-softball-field-board-flags-capital-reserve-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291849-c450d83ecf702dbcc46b0a4f228147ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156097&Signature=oetl36sIxsQnXf9yEE-6sd4PGdRZLSvC41e~np7gxUE3Sry4zQ3eBMNF5-kZlDM0f364M-2V9Y7w9OzP4RP7lOzEOT2GZxGdCdJ2etTfCsbjd900vsko9gYLm8aQgWniqMZhtYRu7TeOKDAHfI9ZVaRDZJnhqlmQ~0deVBGzGrHQkpwoRlgAqvUDOkDoILB~DFxb0i7Y1CtBcs95sIIUwaFLR5XQalohVJrW9pRY~Wyecj2-JpcrZsOzTqV2oPMVonlkVhfgrwtD~8KXId-gNJtUG-uNNGykWOh03-jgyTXJXKj6mTU96tF5T3rXSswWodtSZuvdq-F2nnQhPtWk-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students, coaches and district staff pressed the Massapequa Union Free School District on plans to install lights at the high school softball field, and administrators said the upgrades could be funded from the district's capital reserve if voters approve a proposition in May.

At the start of the meeting, students including Mila Solito, Samantha Ports and Sienna Perino told the board the renovated field has improved team safety and competitiveness and asked the board to add lights so practices and games can run later. \"Having lights would allow us to extend our playing time and be able to see the ball better as the sun sets,\" said Samantha Ports, a senior and team captain.

Ryan Ruff, assistant superintendent for business, told the board the field was built with conduit already run under the surface to avoid future street or turf disruption. \"What we have is something called a capital reserve fund,\" Ruff said, explaining the district sets money aside over budget cycles; using the reserve to fund a lights project would not raise taxes because the money already sits in that fund.

Ruff said if the community approves the use of reserve funds in May the district would speed design work with architects and attempt to pair the lights project with a building-aid-eligible project so the work can proceed quickly. He estimated a realistic installation timeline of about six months once procurement and design are complete, and noted winter work may be possible for some tasks because conduits are in place.

Superintendent (Dr.) Brennan and other administrators said the capital reserve has been built up over previous years and that spending from it requires a separate voter proposition. \"This is money we have; can we spend it this way?\" a board member asked; administrators confirmed the board would recommend a May proposition and that projects drawn from the capital reserve can generate building aid that offsets future general-fund costs.

The public and students urged the board to prioritize lights in the district's list of capital-reserve projects. Administrators said projects in the reserve are prioritized in part by community advocacy and by the district's planning with architects and procurement vendors.","Students urged the Massapequa Board of Education to include field lights as a capital-reserve project; district staff said conduits and planning are in place and recommended a May proposition to spend from a voter-approved capital reserve.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District recognizes long-serving staff members announcing retirements

Votes at a glance: Massapequa Board approves routine personnel, contracts and recommendations

Board reviews proposed student-board policy and state-driven policy updates on records and extreme heat

Massapequa presents preliminary 2025-26 budget with increases in special education, curriculum and cybersecurity

Students and district push to add lights to Massapequa softball field; board flags capital-reserve vote