[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6184036,"mediaKeyId","5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06","parentId",5093151,"title","Public comments at Massapequa meeting show sharp split over 'Chiefs' mascot litigation","audioSeconds",134,"startMs",849000,"endMs",983000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06&start=849&end=983","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06/thumbnail_849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184036/New-York/Public-comments-at-Massapequa-meeting-show-sharp-split-over-Chiefs-mascot-litigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184036-1813debef57ca6e1e37149646644bebb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770759744&Signature=Td--VfFzXupNidZdFhQsf95WAbR8bNOtSVclnk5yocMNOHRqpySLkA~47gKj~PFZ5cp8GI175OdVMQc3BrtwYcn1o5Izi6fmI~qB3jqQIGtZjofklb6r5blykAsD92oNfrWpiYM5er2PjN9QGL7pgNqeQCvck-xMdKESPJhpdDWjkxbG0gwNbJgpdaZuzWwpAoovi3CcYFbI3ce28pCxR6vkKzbHEexfX9g0PTNF-zsRYlacAHY8ZG5oHUKsGAjz8oX9pWueeDxzdWLQ1TLUC-yt6~lGF8e9OKnKbyvrXcofvBiUdlYxAgLri7a3CXU3JIbj~wwofJbn-L7z6uei1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-27T14:23:32Z","article","A public comment session at the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education meeting on June 26 featured sharply divided views over the district’s litigation and messaging about the “Chiefs” mascot.

Laura Kelta, a resident who identified herself as a Massapequa parent, urged the board to end the litigation and accept the local Shinnecock tribe’s objections. “Why are we doing this? We have pride as a people without using the symbol,” Kelta said. She said the district has engaged with the tribe and that continuing the lawsuit was “detracting from a lot more important issues” and causing polarization in the community. Kelta said she was concerned about the billable rates being spent on outside counsel; she said the district was paying “$450 an hour to some DC law firm.”

Other residents offered strongly contrasting views. A resident who did not have prepared remarks told the board the community overwhelmingly supports keeping the Chiefs name and identity and said local tribal representatives had declined to meet, which the speaker characterized as evidence the dispute was political rather than cultural.

Tara Tarasi, who identified herself as founder and president of the CFG Foundation, said the term “chief” is not limited to Native American usage and urged the board to continue defending the name. “The majority of the people want us to stay with Chiefs,” she said, and she urged the board to keep pursuing the matter.

A board official clarified the record after public comment: when the board “voted to comply” earlier, the official said, the action was to adopt a plan that included litigation as an option. “When we voted to comply, it was to pass a resolution and adopt a plan, and the plan was to litigate always from the beginning,” the official said.

Following public comment the board moved to consult legal counsel in executive session and the motion was approved.

Why it matters: The debate over the mascot and the district’s legal response has drawn vocal public engagement and donations in support of opposing positions. Speakers appealed to community identity, respect for Native American perspectives and fiscal stewardship of district funds.

Next steps: The board entered executive session to consult legal counsel; no public deliberation or vote on the litigation was recorded after the public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/26/25 BOE Meeting (Athletic Awards, Security Presentation)","oneSentenceSummary","Residents sharply disagreed during public comments at the June 26 Massapequa Board of Education meeting over the district’s litigation and handling of concerns about the 'Chiefs' mascot.","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},6184041,"Massapequa board reviews slate of proposed state resolutions; tables idea for Long Island-specific assessment",168,3693000,3861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06&start=3693&end=3861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6184041/New-York/Massapequa-board-reviews-slate-of-proposed-state-resolutions-tables-idea-for-Long-Island-specific-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184041-7be59d75591da8fe1549bf059f1b7d1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770759744&Signature=jlFhcfqvteSSW6851~ymZtPqZl3ZSwLaTia07geUZb01J5rI83J1vB~MAoog5y2ahs8xr5P1IYjTJipGWXoP3avS1knmGPEX11JvNDcNU3uVAqrWivBkIVy3UwJ2ABmpEiHt9MmP3ANe2gQg7jRn~PeGNukWkom19R72I7A2dwWxLVFnzNoTWPFuCjhtsVSXmITYE~5iNLx3Xe~mGXd5NpKbQWhI-fv~ZkgWeB1yjE1jEUbwxbHHOF-J~p~zbV0-Z27HmqZpsI3zbCQp3-KxR0CvTbZBm0EbKopJGZbbepaoo5X4kgS3mgUopHuZzQ1gH1SWfsVdcO5UOWMQEftaNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education reviewed a package of municipal resolutions on June 26 that the district can submit to the regional school boards association (referred to in the meeting as NISPA/NISBRA). The package included items on how the association processes proposed resolutions, academic‑standards language, restoring local authority for school districts and a proposal to develop a Long Island–localized 3–8 assessment.

Why it matters: Resolutions adopted by the regional association can become advocacy positions presented to the State Education Department and legislators; the board’s decisions indicate which positions it will ask the association to carry forward.

Board members discussed four Massapequa-origin proposals and other resolutions from neighboring districts. Those Massapequa proposals included: ensuring direct member voting on resolutions (to reduce the effect of committee recommendations), advocating for academic excellence and high expectations in any curricular or standards changes, seeking to classify school districts as municipal entities to strengthen local control, and a proposal to develop a localized Long Island assessment to replace or supplement the state 3–8 assessments.

The Long Island–assessment proposal generated the most debate. Board members raised operational and political questions: who would create and fund such a test, and whether promoting regional testing risks fragmenting statewide accountability. One board member said, “The devil’s always in the details. Test creation on that level is difficult. Who does that? Who pays for that?” Another board member expressed concern that regionalizing assessments could create political fractures.

After discussion the board elected to table the localized-assessment proposal for further study and to seek more stakeholder buy‑in rather than forward it immediately to the association.

On other items the board generally signaled support or agreement to “sign on” to several proposals, while asking administrators to check details before final submission. The board asked staff and district experts to review a draft resolution from Sullivan West that would request more frequent summary reports from the association about lobbying activity; members said better transparency from the association would be helpful.

The board also considered a resolution from another district proposing expanded uses of Title I or comparable state funding to support out-of-district or specialized summer programming for students with disabilities. Doctor McCall (district staff) said he would need to review the language and funding questions more closely and asked for time to evaluate whether Title I can be used as proposed.

Several other resolutions were read aloud and discussed briefly, including proposals related to vaccine‑mandate religious exemptions, electric school-bus policy, and state reimbursement rates for out‑of‑district special-education placements. Board members signaled support for pursuing higher state reimbursement for costly mandated placements, and they described the electric-bus mandate as premature for many districts.

No final, binding votes on individual resolutions were recorded in the public portion of the meeting; board members planned to indicate at a later step which resolutions the district will formally submit to the association. The board asked that administrators return with clarifications on funding sources and implementation details when requested.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a final list of resolutions the district will forward to the association, provide more factual detail about funding and operational implications for items such as the proposed Title I summer funds and the localized assessment, and return to the board for final approval if required.","At its June 26 meeting, the Massapequa Board of Education reviewed a set of municipal resolutions to send to its regional school boards association, discussing items from governance of the association to a proposed Long Island–specific student assessment.",{"_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},6184046,"Massapequa security chief outlines districtwide safety plan, cites threat-assessment team and new command center",933,2120000,3053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06&start=2120&end=3053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093151-f63f1b5596fbbced6ac2de109b60bd06/thumbnail_2120000.jpg","/articles/6184046/New-York/Massapequa-security-chief-outlines-districtwide-safety-plan-cites-threat-assessment-team-and-new-command-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184046-129fd977aa9b32ba0f1c311b11dbcb90/orig.mp4?Expires=1770759744&Signature=X1LTtpUWHbpOfzqrgW9Ze5x3jr0vJOzMGs5rSPdmQqs~IZanFBgQu2Y130os1rSU9kxgk1W9f5EOLU9HxzjFbQiDw0HmK5T-fOO0qhC6nAziFrlZ-ZYiW7ActBZ43poSCd3rfD7pe1iWhPUJx6rAgppMcbBgqQARy~DEbjY-kzbkWQQ34WKJJV0F~IhSkZEGiMTEcp5Mi9ginY34F1yihjnB8UeFmi~vT8Bdwb0tz2DhFQQLxOli9NTGSYPAfS2PHvscIIbjwTkrJWfDnV49L8WCfK4kw09op3z~gewdN~F9yO7w9~Y-9RnDvQQrbxUb6aCkv6yEQlEP9Vx3V5Kxig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Don Flynn, the district’s director of security, told the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education on June 26 that the district’s public-facing districtwide safety plan is a high-level overview that will be paired with building-level emergency response plans and ongoing staff training.

The presentation described the district approach as layered and redundant, with planning horizons of one, three and five years. Flynn said the public document “doesn’t delve deeply into how the district responds to specific emergencies,” because building-level plans and operational details are kept separate from the public plan for safety reasons. He said the district expects to post the public plan on the district website and update it as needed.

Why it matters: The district framed the plan as part of an effort to keep schools both secure and welcoming, emphasizing training, technology and behavioral intervention as complementary pieces of the safety program.

Flynn highlighted the district’s behavioral threat assessment team as a central part of prevention and intervention, crediting staff who run the team for allowing other districts to observe the program. “It's all about intervention, getting the students the help they need prior to that grievance becoming something else,” Flynn said, describing the team’s work as focused on early help rather than punishment.

Flynn also reviewed near-term training and operational steps: a tactical active-shooter exercise planned in July at an abandoned building with law‑enforcement partners, and the district’s annual eight-hour security training for staff on Aug. 27. He said the district conducts student-awareness activities that bring faculty and students together and that several professional development and demonstration events are routine components of the program.

On technology, Flynn told the board the district is expanding a command center and exploring use of analytics and artificial intelligence to turn hundreds of camera feeds into timely information for command staff. “We’re currently sitting on hundreds of videos of balanced cameras,” Flynn said, and the goal is to push selected analytic capabilities into the command center so staff can act on real-time information.

Flynn said the state’s June 3 release of a portal for filing building-level emergency plans opened later than expected; the portal became available on the morning of June 26, which delayed some planned building-level work. He said the district would continue to update building plans now that the portal is available.

Flynn said the district is preparing a short parent quick guide that explains common emergency verbiage (for example, what a lockout versus a lockdown notice means) in plain language and will distribute it before the school year begins.

Board members and administrators praised the security staff’s professionalism and partnerships with Nassau County police and homeland‑security personnel. A board member said other districts look to Massapequa’s system as a model. The board also thanked interim athletic director Marty Boyd and security staff for visible campus presence during spring and championship events.

No formal board action was requested during the presentation. The board asked staff to review and update the district’s public employer health emergency plan language cited in the presentation, and Flynn said the document is fluid and will be revised.

Acknowledgments and next steps: Flynn requested continued board support for technology and training investments and said the district will follow up with building principals to complete the building-level plans in the state portal. The board accepted the presentation and thanked security staff for “professionalism and forward thinking.”","Don Flynn, the district’s director of security, updated the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education on June 26 about a districtwide safety plan that pairs a public-facing overview with building-level emergency response plans, expanded training and new command-center technology.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comments at Massapequa meeting show sharp split over 'Chiefs' mascot litigation

Massapequa board reviews slate of proposed state resolutions; tables idea for Long Island-specific assessment

Massapequa security chief outlines districtwide safety plan, cites threat-assessment team and new command center