[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6035479,"mediaKeyId","5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f","parentId",5100369,"title","Mineola board presents $112 million budget, proposes 2.08% tax levy and $1.6 million transfer to capital","audioSeconds",1230,"startMs",5975000,"endMs",7205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f&start=5975&end=7205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f/thumbnail_5975000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6035479/New-York/Mineola-board-presents-112-million-budget-proposes-208-tax-levy-and-16-million-transfer-to-capital","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035479-b013601bc6e5c77f16963ceb5ff8da69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993951&Signature=f3IjaexAOahC9VnC6YqOaL8yN51WoaYgZznzZoQnjsG9zvMZpxcMW1WyGDSC3bfZfKENhr8KX8Oref24V6ysfYmhKVire96UWfVEakVMWHHk5epoibLC7CgecoX3MKLtd8SSQas0IRwzcI1o-IRd1iylXTTMcChEbhWcWsdqhrWYxtn8nkdhbTXfrdV6BQAtLXiDb~BLAuc~fNfKJiDA14qJcd~8dA8QoQHBgKOKsyQbUEH3S7-6vAcXFMzcN2GMWDJpJNC6dmBvSODEjsdtGqUSiY8L3qYmzGC~gS2Rs~bNlL0onpJnd6mdJ7Z6o8cT9WGJvOzmT986WrEWNwnLOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mineola Creative Content","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","Mineola Union Free School District officials presented a proposed $112 million operating budget for the 2025–26 school year and urged residents to vote on the plan at the district's May 20 budget vote.

\"We are proposing, similar to last year, to come in right at the tax cap. So for this year, that is 2.08%,\" Will Herman, assistant superintendent for business and operations, told the board during the district's formal budget hearing.

The proposed budget would hold the district’s tax levy increase to the state tax‑cap limit of 2.08% while maintaining planned spending across salaries, benefits and operating costs. The plan also includes a $1,600,000 transfer from the general fund to capital to start converting the current middle‑school gym into a new kitchen and cafeteria, and it would add nine replacement vehicles under a five‑year lease‑purchase arrangement.

Why it matters: The budget hearing was the final scheduled public presentation before the district's May 20 vote, and the proposed package ties operating priorities (instruction, bus replacement, building upkeep) to two ballot questions: the main operating budget and a proposition to use capital reserve funds for three campus projects.

Herman told trustees the district’s overall proposed spending would increase modestly year over year and that recent state budget activity produced a small upward revision in state aid. \"Our state aid is projected to be about $4,100 more than what we heard in January,\" he said, noting that the change reduced the district’s intended use of fund balance by roughly the same amount but did not change the total proposed budget.

Key numbers and items discussed

- Proposed overall budget: about $112,000,000 (presented as the bottom‑row total on the district slides).
- Proposed tax‑levy increase: 2.08% (the state tax cap for this district).
- Appropriated fund balance: reduced to about $795,828 after a small upward revision in projected state aid.
- Transfer to capital: $1,600,000 to begin the conversion of the middle‑school gym into a new kitchen and cafeteria.
- Bus replacement: nine vehicles planned next year (two large buses; six vans with 20–30 passenger capacities; one wheelchair‑capable small bus) via a five‑year lease purchase.
- Notable cost pressures cited: an ERS pension increase of roughly $300,000 (about a 16% jump for that line), insurance up about 20%, security‑guard costs up roughly 44%, and charter‑school tuition up in dollar terms by about $105,000 (a near‑90% year‑over‑year percentage increase noted by staff, driven primarily by more students attending charter schools).

Herman walked the board through the district's three‑part budget breakdown (program, capital and administrative) and noted the district spends about three‑quarters of its money on instruction. He also described the district's contingency‑budget rules and the implications of a failed budget vote: a contingency budget would require a zero tax‑levy increase relative to the current year and would eliminate noncontingent items such as the proposed transfer to capital, many equipment purchases and some administrative costs. \"A contingency budget would decrease our maximum operating budget to that $109,000,000 figure,\" Herman said, summarizing the potential $3 million gap and the choices that would follow (eliminating positions/programming or increasing fund‑balance use).

Board context and next steps

Trustee Patrick Talty highlighted the unique role of voters in school finance: \"This is the only budget at any level that you actually get to vote on,\" he said as he urged turnout for the May 20 vote, which Herman said would run from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the district meeting space where the hearing was held.

The presentation included photographs and details for capital reserve projects that would be covered by proposition two on the ballot: extending the turf at the baseball field to match adjacent work, replacing a leaking auditorium roof at the middle school (including a nonfunctioning fire dampener and other roof penetrations), and replacing failing entryway ramps and concrete on the east side of the middle school with stairs, improved drainage and new concrete.

Herman said the district had paused vehicle purchases during an earlier period of uncertainty about a statewide electric‑vehicle transition and now plans a larger replacement year to \"make up for some lost time.\" He also advised that while some items are rising sharply in percentage terms, the absolute dollar increases remain manageable now but would be watched closely in future years.

What voters will see on May 20

- Proposition 1: the operating budget (the $112 million proposal) and the related tax‑levy request set at the 2.08% cap.
- Proposition 2: use of capital reserve funds for the three projects described above (baseball/turf work, auditorium roof replacement, east‑side entryway repairs).

The district posted a line‑by‑line version of the proposed budget on its website (titled \"Educational Plan and Budget\"/the green book), and Herman encouraged community members to review that document before voting.

Sources and attribution

All direct quotations and figures in this article are drawn from the Mineola Union Free School District budget presentation and the district board meeting record. The presentation and vote schedule were given by Will Herman, assistant superintendent for business and operations; trustee Patrick Talty offered remarks urging voter participation.

Ending note: The board's formal budget hearing concluded with a question‑and‑answer period; the district's proposed budget will be decided by voters on May 20, when polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the district meeting space.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE 05-08-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mineola Union Free School District officials presented a proposed $112 million operating budget for the 2025–26 school year and urged residents to vote on the plan at the district's May 20 budget vote.","taxTitle","MINEOLA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",55400,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035464,"Board approves teacher memorandum of agreement and job‑sharing arrangements",208,3957000,4165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f&start=3957&end=4165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f/thumbnail_3957000.jpg","/articles/6035464/New-York/Board-approves-teacher-memorandum-of-agreement-and-jobsharing-arrangements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035464-e30795967e4eac525a6e67861153a85e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993951&Signature=IsDzD18KbAbtIbaKRvY4BPl5NPCwU8bLVuHo-o6pXH~sX1j~LH8xdn2Lc~vpGUjGBusR-A21dPPRbEwceFYEmPdwLPvK6~qqeJTAmF8SJOHLA6ATRwmuzefOTVnSKsvzPZKubU1i05-mfp309JV4Kad7UvY8zGOh6~Y~GM7QQeX4iKt42xnc8CYBMOHv-zw8Qvnz2nUQ9iIqqWun~3og94JadXwhOJdhEc-vm9QjWOleCjQdqijU18KOmj18KYHHDiFKmL6gblfMnTUEaDGjTOrQ9inUf0F6bj1aQgty1kbcAwJ9KHycji~Y2wFAIm8I7XyYEKXZId2I1BjFS1WuPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mineola Union Free School District Board of Education approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) dated May 8, 2025 with the Mineola Teachers Association and authorized two separate employee agreements to implement job‑sharing arrangements, all presented and adopted during the meeting.

The board moved and seconded the MOA and the related personnel agreements. A district official explained the MOA was a one‑time amendment intended to compensate teachers who went on a trip during vacation and that the district and union had worked jointly to authorize the payment.

Two additional resolutions (passed as paired actions) authorized agreements with employees whose identities were known to the board and allowed the board president and superintendent to execute the agreements on behalf of the district. Board members clarified these were job‑sharing arrangements that required agreement by the teachers, the union and the board.

Why it matters: The actions formalize short‑term compensation changes and job‑sharing arrangements that affect individual employees' assignments and pay; the agreements were approved on the record with the superintendent and board president authorized to execute the documents.

Attribution and details

Board members asked for clarifications during the motions; administrators confirmed that the teacher MOA was a one‑time amendment and that the job‑sharing agreements were mutually agreed upon by affected employees and the union. The clerk called the votes and recorded the measures as passed.

Implementation notes

The board authorized the board president and superintendent to sign the executed agreements. The MOA and job‑sharing agreements were effective as of the dates on the documents and require standard personnel processing by the district human‑resources office.

Sources: Text and recorded votes for Resolutions 72–75 read into the record at the meeting and summarized by staff.","The Mineola Union Free School District board approved a one‑time memorandum of agreement with the Mineola Teachers Association to compensate teachers who traveled during vacation and approved two employee agreements implementing job‑sharing arrangements; both sets of approvals were handled under Resolutions 72–75.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035469,"Board approves amended five‑year contract with Nassau BOCES for regional information services",102,3746000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f&start=3746&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f/thumbnail_3746000.jpg","/articles/6035469/New-York/Board-approves-amended-fiveyear-contract-with-Nassau-BOCES-for-regional-information-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035469-31f7298694d7b119969e157d9799e231/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993951&Signature=Ea51yBP43L-7Qn01RABIph5S8Leodm0EiGRS1pUvIYuWO6A5Mh~wmJiBOjo5rwPV-HQg2bDcLGtaBjhyDeHFnXSWHwHisbx7dlfoe4J7knY162aAzsusYDEz8-iLxJm5wX~rUPO-cLP2cjT7PtyrqBBsVYR7glZTtgV5~GikQiOAHJEHMm4qXRdVffd3Xbs6LVMNm6-1ZcGla~H-3YzuYaT3AAm56Uqgt4gJLUezKhekmHYtDabMhUKPTMEQj0YyaHhtsKupWYbIaeyalUy6WYx~mEoxBhWR0VjBfB1xyG4XZnknvmnLdhiiWd0qTcovS043l1CtUwZ1id8sYnt4qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mineola Union Free School District Board of Education approved a five‑year contract with Nassau BOCES for Regional Information Center instructional technology services and amended the dollar amount of the contract during the meeting.

Reading Resolution 70 to the board, the president explained the district sought to \"enter into a 5 year contract with the Nassau BOCES, in order for the Regional Information Center to furnish certain services to the district pursuant to Education Law\" and read the not‑to‑exceed figure aloud. The board originally heard a not‑to‑exceed total of $395,827.11, inclusive of related estimated borrowing fees and yearly regional information center support for the term 05/23/25 to 05/22/2030.

Board members moved and seconded the resolution and later proposed an amendment to the contract amount. \"So the new amount is 403,272 and 66¢,\" a trustee said while introducing the amendment. The amendment was moved and seconded and the board then voted on the amended resolution; the clerk called the vote and recorded Aye votes for passage.

The resolution states the superintendent is authorized to finalize the contract, subject to approval by the Commissioner of Education. The board discussed the purchase in context: staff said the expense is for an IP address maintenance line and that further related purchases would be presented at a future meeting.

Why it matters: The agreement secures district access to BOCES Regional Information Center instructional‑technology services for five years, creating a multi‑year financial commitment for IT support and related borrowing fees. The contract amount was increased by amendment on the board floor and approved by the board.

Attribution and authority

The resolution text cited Education Law as the statutory authority under which the district may contract with Nassau BOCES for shared services. The board president read the resolution; the motion to adopt the amendment and the amended contract passed during the meeting with all voting in favor.

Implementation notes

Superintendent authorization: The contract is to be finalized by the superintendent and is contingent on the Commissioner of Education's approval for the specified term.

Sources and evidence

This article is based on the board reading and the recorded vote on Resolution 70 during the board meeting; the amended not‑to‑exceed contract amount was read aloud and recorded by the district clerk.","The Mineola Union Free School District board approved entering a five‑year contract with Nassau BOCES for Regional Information Center services, amending the original not‑to‑exceed amount up to $403,272.66; the agreement is subject to Commissioner of Education approval.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035473,"Mineola launches K–6 \"Neurotrition\" curriculum with Adelphi interns and video library",1231,4285000,5516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f&start=4285&end=5516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100369-fa212b1b2e4d3fefec57c5561c4d868f/thumbnail_4285000.jpg","/articles/6035473/New-York/Mineola-launches-K6-Neurotrition-curriculum-with-Adelphi-interns-and-video-library","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035473-3493d6290812b8c0d3b1f8c0cfe826f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993951&Signature=dW~v0N3ACmRErja9W6sM-n0V-o-tfgHNsVoZx4v29cxs9xT8H0HwNydwvgbcCOlTfr~xpnrSR-S9JFWtSsHdVpu6BL5EuvwXJBJ~HOMBBA9yFeiy6PG5PwwgAZjVmL-988ufSlE1BX2~U~2nMh5UCyVBkJERh4vzKc5HTU4g7MhjWoo-mkPAmHsI5wAliodQH6LmDF9E-IX-a0z8VV-aKllzLziMNW8Rp6zc~u7QNAfxFQ~V1AZzDkA9zH1ZBqKtkUK349qpqfe5COcFxiwBqIudYJDa9R~NyWIuebpo296TIE2DYX2uHVFEicEbouJ9BmExc9~6KdMACKB-BIqa8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mineola Union Free School District presented a new K–6 nutrition education initiative, described by presenters as \"Neurotrition,\" that pairs a video library, classroom lessons and hands‑on taste tests with a cohort of graduate interns from Adelphi University.

\"Neurotrition: Eat smart and be smart,\" Ralph, an adjunct professor affiliated with Adelphi, told the board, describing a scaffolded curriculum designed to teach food literacy, healthy hydration and the connections between diet and brain function.

The program includes short instructional videos hosted on a district portal called Mineola Grows Healthy, scaffolded lessons for each grade band (K–2, 3–4, 5–6), in‑class taste tests and a seasonal printable cookbook. Staff said four graduate interns contributed lesson design and classroom presentations aligned with the curriculum, and district food services supported tastings and in‑class sampling.

Program components and classroom examples

- K–2: Sensory exploration and \"build a perfect plate\" lessons with supervised tastings of fruits and vegetables in first grade classrooms. Staff provided accompanying activity sheets.
- 3–4: Lessons on smart snack choices and food as a source of energy, linking nutrition to social‑emotional learning and classroom behavior.
- 5–6: Science‑level discussions about calories in vs. calories out, basal metabolic rate (BMR), sleep and the effects of energy drinks; a sample district video explained how energy drinks combine high caffeine and sugar and produce short‑term stimulation followed by a crash.
- Extras: A seasonal, printable cookbook compiled by the interns and a repository of lesson plans for teacher use.

Ralph said the program used locally produced videos (crediting videographer Steven Toronti) and that the interns' work will remain in a shared folder for teacher reuse. He noted the program intentionally avoids adding a heavy burden to teachers' workloads by having interns and media assets provide much of the content.

Why it matters: Board members praised the program for making nutrition lessons concrete and age‑appropriate. One trustee said a sixth grader in her household began discussing calories at home after the lessons, and staff said teachers reported children labeling some cafeteria items as \"woah\" foods (a classroom term used during instruction) and making healthier choices at snack time as a result of the lessons.

Attribution and classroom evidence

Presenters named several teachers and staff who participated: Kayla McKevney, Kayla Koch, Christine Gayson, Gerald Critchley, Jamie Durso and Nick Tannini. Videos featured student‑facing hosts and short dramatizations to engage learners: a presented clip on energy drinks used a fast‑paced, over‑the‑top style to make the health message memorable.

Implementation details and next steps

The interns are reported to be about 90% finished with a printable, seasonal cookbook to be paired with the video series. The district will host the materials on Mineola Grows Healthy and make them available to teachers for ongoing classroom use. District administrators emphasized the program's focus on food literacy, healthy hydration and connections between nutrition, mood and learning.

Sources and attribution

The description, direct quotes and program details come from the district presentation delivered by Ralph (Adjunct Professor, Adelphi University) and the superintendent's remarks introducing the initiative. Classroom examples, participating teacher names and the video excerpt were all presented to the Board during the meeting.

Ending: The board expressed support for the curriculum and its hands‑on approach; staff said the materials are available for teachers and will be posted for families to review on district platforms.","District staff described a new K–6 nutrition education program called 'Neurotrition' that uses a video library, classroom activities, taste tests and four graduate interns from Adelphi University to teach healthy‑eating, hydration and food literacy across elementary grades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mineola board presents $112 million budget, proposes 2.08% tax levy and $1.6 million transfer to capital

Board approves teacher memorandum of agreement and job‑sharing arrangements

Board approves amended five‑year contract with Nassau BOCES for regional information services

Mineola launches K–6 "Neurotrition" curriculum with Adelphi interns and video library