Mineola board approves personnel and policy updates, places $4 million capital-reserve proposition on May ballot

Mineola Board of Education President Margaret Ballentine on March 20 led the board in approving personnel changes, policy updates and a proposition to spend up to $4,000,000 from the district's 2022 capital reserve, the board said during its regular meeting.

The $4 million proposition, which the board voted to put before district voters on May 20, 2025, would fund: (a) replacement of the roof system and skylight of the Mineola Middle School auditorium and related masonry and abatement work; (b) construction of a synthetic-turf baseball field at Mineola Middle School, including dugouts, retaining walls, fencing, lighting, plumbing, spectator seating and landscaping; and (c) concrete/retaining-wall and related repairs for the entryway to the art rooms at Mineola Middle School. The board said the abbreviated ballot language will appear in the district budget newsletter.

Why it matters: The projects target a 1927-era roof with persistent leaks and drainage and concrete failures around the art-room entry, and they would leave funds remaining in the capital reserve, the board said during discussion. Board members said the turf field will mirror the district's softball field and will include seating and safety netting.

Key votes and motions: The board approved a slate of formal resolutions, including: casting nominating votes for three candidates to fill seats on the Nassau County BOCES board of cooperative educational services; approving a memorandum of agreement dated Feb. 25, 2025 with the United Public Service Employees Union (teacher aide unit); waiving first formal readings for multiple revised…