The Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education voted May 20 to send letters to state legislators opposing Senate Bill S1672 and Assembly Bill A756, which the board said would require project labor agreements for Long Island public-school construction. The board also approved sending a letter supporting Senate Bill S06366A and Assembly Bill A06597A, measures the board described as imposing bail on individuals charged with threats of school violence.

Mrs. Acuto, Advocacy Liaison and board member, introduced the advocacy items and said the district would complete its own advocacy independent of the state school boards association. She presented two draft letters: one opposing the mandated project labor agreements and another supporting the bail measures for threats to schools. The board voted to send both letters; motions were made and approved by voice vote.

Board member Mr. Ruff elaborated on the project labor agreement bills and cited an external analysis: “It was determined that in other states where they do do this practice, the costs are driven up by as much as 20%.” He applied that figure to local bond authorizations, saying in Massapequa’s case an $80,000,000 program “would mean ... an additional $16,000,000 of expenses in just Massapequa.” Mr. Ruff and other board members said the bills would take effect as early as January 2026 and could affect timelines for voter-approved bond projects. The transcript records questions and clarifications about geographic scope and grandfathering; board members asked whether projects already awarded would be exempt and were told awarded projects would not require the agreements, while bids after January 2026 would.

Discussion versus decision: the meeting included detailed discussion and policy analysis (discussion) followed by formal board action to send advocacy letters (decision). The transcript shows unanimous voice approval for both letters (“All in favor? Aye.”).

Ending: The board asked to coordinate with Long Island legislators and local school officials to share concerns about costs and implementation timelines.