[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6115947,"mediaKeyId","2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b","parentId",2735370,"title","Massapequa parent urges clearer budget information and stronger special-education communication","audioSeconds",490,"startMs",4280000,"endMs",4770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b&start=4280&end=4770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b/thumbnail_4280000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115947/New-York/Massapequa-parent-urges-clearer-budget-information-and-stronger-special-education-communication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115947-05cdd8abfe7c84a0e786020f1e9cbf1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215105&Signature=e06fWcmA8STvQSgAM7Sk-cTtPETdi3drbanY1XzUTXSKd8lmS5a5hbph7iTEBknoF-TTlcCMNvRow3CqxJ6gZjPklEFnrxW8aDedFPY-RK-qXVPLJtfvM51EngVWPiplbQYgWuUqSwt4jATN3vZw86hQbjx9nrn4TBnAHitoX8fljVhEF2yV9~CozUJwMeSh5SeDEqALCl9E6nj6G4V3nVQ7BuDK83cDG1T8PdGPwxPeTxaBmi6eOGS22BV0nTHUkSbXH6ycmggW55Nq3c8JPy8TlaAMIErnUseSkbsOE34heeA53akArQs~RHUcsXg4LXy-79ht2L9lG7rw-R8Odw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-22T10:02:05.273Z","article","During the public-comment portion of the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education meeting, a parent and resident, Ashley Ross, spoke about her dual perspectives as an alumna and as a parent of two district children, one of whom receives special-education services. Ross said she wants to be better informed about where budget dollars go and expressed concern that parents of children with special needs sometimes feel defensive or reluctant to ask questions.

Ross recounted her own school experience and diagnosis of ADHD and said she values the district’s special-education services. She asked the board to continue to make budget and program information accessible and encouraged parents to attend meetings. Board members responded by encouraging public participation, naming resources including district SEPTA and superintendent follow-up, and offering to meet privately or in small groups to discuss concerns.

Superintendent and board members noted the district livestreams meetings, posts detailed budget numbers on the website, and plans community budget presentations and PTA/SEPTA meetings to explain budget codes and answer questions in smaller forums. The board did not take action based on the public comment but documented the concern and offered follow-up options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting - 3/20/25 (Budget Presentation #3)","oneSentenceSummary","A Massapequa parent told the board she wants clearer budget information and expressed concern about special-education services and stigma; board members encouraged public attendance, referenced SEPTA and offered follow-up meetings.","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},6115952,"Board approves IEP recommendations, voting logistics and multiple contracts; tables one purchase item",150,2740000,2890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b&start=2740&end=2890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b/thumbnail_2740000.jpg","/articles/6115952/New-York/Board-approves-IEP-recommendations-voting-logistics-and-multiple-contracts-tables-one-purchase-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115952-23e60f240a912152ece4aa9a03450446/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215105&Signature=RZ0VnVUAbChdPx7XEhdUVH6J9GZIsJU~ilZWSnwaqM~ZvA~bOu3QxTtEephvIOJ0uhHMKCo-C4cXse1XF-LeqDEJ4yvjlycAF74hLAd105x0CUocSFojT~7X21lJSPyKJMomkQx0E3Shw1VxKPOttv8Qluuw~QC~IbJVJiT5SZTlfizn0i8N0eLfetQqiAYET38d1RQgs5O2wPBpigrwqo624TVdF1rDE~G2~QtKZBM1gBs6yOy-Y1TfiT-ug~6GqYPhJW~cshSpsdmhWZApSyNXUrAdSVqvTiNpVchrdABUl~~iDPa8LuyRi9O8K53syZ-EF4wVGiXImf4jZDU0JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting, the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education approved a series of routine and action items, including special-education IEP recommendations, policy updates, election logistics and several contracts and project awards.

Key votes and motions (summary):
- The board approved IEP recommendations “as per the attached.” (motion moved; outcome: approved)
- The board adopted policy 8640 (threat assessment) to align with the New York State School Boards Association law-and-management format. (outcome: approved)
- The board approved the annual school district election notice and publication schedule, designated Carrie Wachter as permanent chairman of election under Election Law §2025, and required appointment of inspectors more than 10 days before the vote. The publication start date in the notice was set for 04/02/2025 in district newspapers. (outcome: approved)
- The board approved a budget transfer documented in the tax memorandum. (outcome: approved)
- The board approved a contract with the Nassau County Board of Elections to provide optical-scan voting machines and ballot-marking devices for the 05/20/2025 budget vote and trustee election and authorized the board president to execute the contract. (outcome: approved)
- The board approved listed consultant contracts and authorized the board president to execute them. (outcome: approved)
- The board awarded a roof-replacement project to Long Island Roofing Corp as documented in the cash memorandum; that item passed. Another procurement item (agenda item number 8) was tabled to allow the buildings-and-grounds committee to review before the board decides. (outcome: award approved; separate item tabled)
- The board nominated Douglas Pastorello to serve on the Nassau BOCES Board of Education and approved submitting the nomination. (outcome: approved)
- The board approved sending an updated advocacy letter to state legislators and the governor as discussed and directed. (outcome: approved)

Most motions were moved, seconded and passed by voice vote; the transcript records “Aye” responses for the passed items. Where individual mover/second names were not recorded in the audio transcript, the motions are summarized without attributing a specific mover or vote tally. No item in this block required a roll-call tally in the recorded portion of the meeting; one procurement agenda item was explicitly tabled for further review by a committee.","The Massapequa Board of Education approved IEP recommendations, adopted policy 8640 (threat assessment), set election notices and voting-machine contracts, approved consultant contracts and a roof project award, nominated a Nassau BOCES candidate and authorized an updated advocacy letter; one agenda item was tabled for further committee review.",{"_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},6115955,"District finance staff detail transportation, benefits and capital plan in third budget presentation",792,1228000,2020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b&start=1228&end=2020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b/thumbnail_1228000.jpg","/articles/6115955/New-York/District-finance-staff-detail-transportation-benefits-and-capital-plan-in-third-budget-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115955-1de37fa5b8882c1a8fdf45ab53112551/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215105&Signature=Igpy-5hBPArJ2RxMyWQp-jifFa7ueTyA9-hFpyxPtikW1Dmq73k7ZzrTFnD8~uD7kvaqJNm6wudM9HJJk6CxIlge2fAt8hzHdsADMg4rTBEYzql8SHQ3t124ZpJY~FLg0xn0MMbYOgHSMGfJAef-bQX2~OGbwvdQ-GMJ5xc-E9XOA0pENWxXxg3p59S1VKh36awWtdaENeR76Gtir3xaEoTWfRq6qly6~uANXfvgSireIbiA45aoYjG2NhSsK8POypha478CPfI9OahlQanUhBdkDgsu7dYC-E~pbXgLXSnjhBOXdY7E5PzgWAW8nth-sLuqGPWF9RKZfBZo6HJfpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District finance staff gave a third budget presentation to the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education covering transportation, recreation, benefits, debt service and capital plans.

Transportation: Presenters said the district moves about 5,227 students daily to 133 locations, including public, private and specialized placements, and operates roughly 106 buses and vans. The district reported nearly 400 field trips and about 350 athletic trips annually and estimated 117,000 miles traveled. The main transportation contract line was presented at $554,400 with an expected 4% increase under the current RFP; staff warned that districts without existing RFPs are seeing double-digit rate jumps. A consultant engagement previously yielded more than $1 million in annual savings; staff recommended reducing consultant spending because the district has trained an internal leader to keep efficiencies in place.

Recreation: The summer recreation program grew in participation. The current-year budgeted amount of about $700,000 was exceeded by actual spending of about $793,000, which staff said was offset by higher program revenue.

Benefits and staffing costs: Health insurance was highlighted as the largest single budget driver; staff noted a 0% family-plan increase in the most recent rate release and modest individual-plan increases but nevertheless budgeted conservatively. The district reported 632 active employees enrolled in district health coverage, about 400 active employees who decline coverage for a district payment, and 684 retirees for whom the district pays some form of health insurance (most Medicare primary).

Debt service and capital: Staff called out new debt service related to an energy performance contract that will increase in the 2026–27 fiscal year but should be offset over time by electric-cost reductions and potential building-aid increases. The administration recommended a $250,000 transfer to the capital account in year one and proposed asking voters to authorize use of an existing $4 million capital reserve for a second proposition; projects under consideration included lighting for a softball field, HVAC work at district offices, piping/abatement and window work, audio-visual upgrades in auditoriums, and classroom/science room renovations.

Revenues and levy: Staff said updated state aid databases point to approximately $1 million of additional state-aid revenue in categories such as building aid, transportation aid and BOCES adjustments. Using those projections and some reserve uses could reduce the preliminary levy projection that appeared in early drafts (presented around 3.56%) toward the district’s allowable levy guideline (3.09%) and potentially into the low twos. Staff said final reductions will depend on the enacted state budget and the board’s choices on reserves and program adjustments.

Next steps: Staff said they may convene a brief public meeting on April 10 if a state budget becomes available, and reminded the board of the budget hearing process and the May budget vote timeline. No final budget adoption occurred at this meeting; the board discussed options, reserve use and scheduling for further review.","At a board meeting presentation, district finance staff outlined transportation costs and contract trends, recreation program growth, health-insurance exposure, new debt service related to energy performance contracts, and a proposed transfer to capital reserve; staff said updated state aid databases may reduce the tax-levy projection.",{"_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},6115960,"Massapequa board hears class-size forum showing district-wide support staffing ratio under 10-to-1",590,100000,690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b&start=100&end=690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735370-34bee36cafe08fc7c67818ed6a12171b/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6115960/New-York/Massapequa-board-hears-class-size-forum-showing-district-wide-support-staffing-ratio-under-10-to-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115960-f47c4b0788f5bcd27371855d83ca52e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215105&Signature=SAGwlX30xiFUemXsuIIlvnIeCqihgrxnTklSoCYa6rdMwC9tvsNjXkBuOMvORzF80ArJpZWxEoCX4p5-g5M3dRsWe4xvjL-VW-Jt5ltkHo4zEWwAJANlDrlZPxVuv8RxT5g5YBjxF0CsffqOqpWopx4j-hNG2ILb1FkQb5KCtGrCmRMfeQr9SohyQ~Hy~Orpb8SsYzzTBt6zc1e2A8X3bwAFgKfiRDFDNe3813hpRbWhK9q9m~jfrkPF~peuG7U89SKSCrgJeZcC1GjzJVQYSbJjh6AgKfD~GSWCJpMsleUUO8gIe1W54HJR1n6qsFl~uzyjjI8jU72obpLKeitppw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presenters told the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education that, when classroom teachers are combined with pupil personnel and specialist staff, the district’s 663 full-time equivalents for about 6,400 students produce a staffing ratio under 10-to-1.

That ratio was the crux of a class-size forum presentation explaining how the district balances classroom size goals, special-area coverage and budget constraints. School administrators said adding a single elementary classroom typically requires roughly 1.2 full-time equivalents when art, music, library and physical education schedules are factored in and estimated that the district budgets about $130,000 per full-time teacher (salary plus benefits); an additional elementary section therefore can cost about $156,000. Secondary sections may require partial FTEs because secondary teachers teach multiple periods; presenters estimated a 0.2 FTE increment at roughly $26,000 for an added secondary course section.

District staff emphasized that class-size guidelines are applied across six buildings and that decisions to add sections follow a multi-step process. Administrators said they gather principals’ input, examine enrollment changes and staffing availability, consider space and materials needs, and evaluate certification and hiring feasibility before proposing any staffing additions to the board. They also told the board that shortages in specific certification areas make hiring for some positions difficult.

Board members praised the forum as clarifying and underscored the district’s effort to preserve related services and enrichment (music, art, library) while being fiscally responsible. Several board members pointed out the difference between the microeconomic view (specific classroom needs) and the macroeconomic view (districtwide equity and allocation of resources). The presenters said the forum materials and slides will be posted to the district website for public reference.

The presentation included a discussion of the district’s class-size guidelines compared with county averages; board members noted the district is “below” its own guideline medians in several grades, and administrators reiterated that guidelines are not rigid caps but tools to guide equitable staffing choices.

No formal action or vote was taken on class-size policy during the meeting; board members asked staff to continue using the guidelines, principals’ feedback and enrollment monitoring when developing staffing proposals for future board consideration.","District presenters told the Massapequa Board of Education that when all instructional and pupil personnel staff are counted, the district’s 663 full-time equivalents for roughly 6,400 students yield a ratio under 10-to-1; administrators described financial and space constraints that limit lowering class sizes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Massapequa parent urges clearer budget information and stronger special-education communication

Board approves IEP recommendations, voting logistics and multiple contracts; tables one purchase item

District finance staff detail transportation, benefits and capital plan in third budget presentation

Massapequa board hears class-size forum showing district-wide support staffing ratio under 10-to-1