Hempstead school district calls for aid on $107M payment
Money to charter schools putting facilities, programs and services at risk
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Hempstead school district officials sounded an alarm regarding the high cost of charter schools on the district’s general budget at Hempstead High School on March 6.
School administrators forecast that the district will have to pay $107 million in tuition payments to these charter schools for the 2025-2026 school year — a jump of over $25 million compared to the current school year. District officials added that the projected addition of $12 million in state aid is wiped out by this increase.
We must work together to prioritize public education.
Gary Rush, deputy superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, explained that losing the money would directly affect what services students will receive.
“It’ll force us to have to make some very tough decisions when it comes to our academic program,” he said. “A robust educational program is the foundation of any successful district, and the impact that the loss of finances will have on the school district will be very detrimental to what we’re able to continue to do here.”
The district’s general budget, funded by local taxes and government financial aid, pays for the school’s staff, programs and resources.
“If there is no relief, we are looking at having to make significant cuts to our faculty and eliminating critical student programming and services,” said Victor Pratt, president of the Hempstead’s Board of Education. “Extracurricular programs which once flourished are now at risk of being cut or scaled back. We cannot continue to provide the same level of service with fewer resources.”
The budget also supports charter schools in the area, which are privately owned.
“Public schools should not be asked to fund charter schools at the expense of their own students,” Pratt added.
The school district has a uniquely high number of students that are currently attending charter schools at 35 percent. There are eight public schools in the Hempstead district, compared to four charter schools — a ratio unseen anywhere else on Long Island, according district officials.
The state-set tuition rate charter schools can charge Hempstead students is consistently thousands of dollars higher than the tuition rates for schools in Uniondale, Roosevelt and Freeport — this creates an incentive for charter schools to come into the Hempstead school district.
Jamal Scott, assistant superintendent for Business and Operations, explained how the tuition rate led Hempstead Superintendent Susan Johnson described
Hempstead school district payments to
2021-22: $56 million
2022-23: $67 million
2023-24: $74 million
2024-25: $87 million
2025-26 (projected): $107 million
the district’s dilemma as unsustainable at the March 6 meeting. charter schools — some from adjacent school districts — to pursue students from Hempstead.
“You ask yourself, ‘why would I, as a charter school, choose students from other districts where I can make more money?’” he asked. “It’s because some of these charter schools are for profit — it’s not a nonprofit, such as a public school.”
To resolve the dilemma, the district offers a proposal to the state to increase financial aid for districts with over 20 percent of its student population in charter schools.
“We realize 70 to 72 percent of the budget is state aid,” Scott said. “It’s very important that the state aid formulas and the state aid receiving is in line with the increases that we’re facing on the expenditure side.”
Hempstead Superintendent Susan Johnson expects the district will have to shut down one of its five elementary schools to afford charter school payments without intervention. She called upon State Sen. Siela Bynoe and Assemblyman Noah Burroughs to forward legislation to relieve the district of the $107 million cost.
“We are calling up state legislators, education officials and community partners to advocate for fair funding policies that ensure students receive the resources they need and deserve,” Johnson said. “The current financial model is unsustainable, and we must work together to prioritize public education and protect our students’ futures.”
Bynoe said she is working with district leadership to find a solution for the increased costs; possibly to include the increased cost into the State Senate’s budget proposal. The state budget is required to be approved by April 1.
“I’ve been working with the district and most importantly, with leadership here at the State Senate
to see how we might be able to assist in their shortfall,” Bynoe said. “The final budget will be negotiated down the road, but this is what we deem to be a priority.”
Upcoming Hempstead Board of Education meetings include March 19 and April 23 at Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School, 70 Greenwich St., at 6 p.m., and the budget hearing at the same school, same time on May 13. Voting on the budget and trustees is on May 20.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald photos Hempstead Superintendent Susan Johnson described the district’s dilemma as unsustainable at the March 6 meeting that included school staff, students and local community leaders.
Victor Pratt, president of the Hempstead school district’s Board of Education, addressed the district’s finances.
SuSAN JOHNSON superintendent Hempstead schools
What’s cooking in East Meadow this June?
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Barbecue lovers are in for a treat this spring when the National BBQ Festival comes to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow for the first time ever, bringing top pitmasters, sizzling flavors and a weekend of family-friendly fun to Nassau County.
Originally held in Georgia from 2002 to 2011, the festival is making a highly anticipated return. This year’s event will take place from June 13 to 15, feature two full days of competition with a $100,000 prize pool at stake — one of the largest in the country and the biggest in the northeast — and attract top barbecue masters from around the world. Beyond the competition, festival-goers can expect three days filled with all-you-can-eat barbecue food, live music, family-friendly activities and more.
The event’s scheduling was made possible by Nassau County Tourism & Promotions’ agency, RRDA, a full-service content and marketing group.
“Bringing the National BBQ Festival to Nassau County is more than just an event —it’s a celebration of great food, great music, and this incredible community,” Jaime Hollander, RRDA’s managing director, said in a news release. “As locals, we take immense pride in showcasing the best of Nassau County alongside the country’s top pitmasters, competitive BBQ teams, and brands. This will be an unforgettable weekend, and we can’t wait to welcome BBQ lovers, competitors, and festival-goers.”
IVictor Pratt, president of the Hempstead school district Board of Education, addressed school staff, students and local
leaders about the district’s finances.
a competitive barbecue team, and that’s OK,” Kristin Stucchio-Suarez, program director of the RRDA, said at a Mineola news conference announcing the event.
“The festival is going to be a great opportunity for families to come out that weekend. If you’re just a backyard barbecuer or just love good food, we welcome you that weekend to just have a lot of fun.”
t’s a celebration of great food, great music, and this incredible community.
JAImE
Barbecue teams will put their skills to the test at the festival, with competitions heating up over two days. On June 13, chefs will battle for the best wings, steak, meatballs and even Long Island iced teas. The stakes get even higher on June 14, as the focus shifts to whole hog, brisket, ribs, pork and chicken, with top pitmasters vying for barbecue supremacy.
HOLLANDER
Managing director RRDA
“Most people are probably not part of
BBQ FEstIVAL At A gLANcE
•Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
•When: June 13-15
•Prize Pool: $100,000 — the largest in the northeast
Competitions:
•Friday, June 13 — wings, steak, meatballs, Long Island iced teas
•Saturday, June 14 — whole hog, brisket, ribs, pork, chicken
Beyond BBQ:
•All-you-can-eat barbecue
•Live music & entertainment
•Family-friendly activities
•Beer garden & wine pavilion
•Marketplace with rubs, sauces & more
Tickets & Info: NationalBBQFest. com
In addition to mouthwatering barbecue, festivalgoers can enjoy a beer garden and wine pavilion, as well as a marketplace offering a variety of meat rubs, sauces and other culinary delights.
Local chefs, including Kenny Ware of Backyard Barbecue in Freeport, are gearing up for the festival with excitement. Ware, who will lead Nassau County’s barbecue team in the competition, gave attendees at a recent news conference in Mineola a taste of what’s to come with a flavorful sampling of his signature dishes.
“Being a barbecue person myself, and going to big festivals, I always thought, ‘I wonder if this could come to Long Island,’” he said. “Well, here we have it. I’ve been working with Nassau County a long time, and they’ve been highlighting a lot of restaurants in Nassau County and Long Island. Now is our chance to show the world how we really do in Nassau County.”
Stucchio-Suarez expressed gratitude to the Nassau County Health Department, Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and Nassau County Police Department for their collaboration with the RRDA in ensuring the upcoming event runs safely and smoothly.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the National BBQ Festival to Eisenhower Park, bringing this iconic event to Nassau County for the first time,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a
release. “This festival not only celebrates the best in BBQ but also shines a spotlight on everything that makes Nassau County a premier destination, from our scenic parks and beaches to our world-class restaurants, hotels, and vibrant history. We look forward to wel-
coming visitors from across the country to experience all that our community has to offer.”
Tickets are available for purchase at NationalBBQFest.com, which is also where one can learn more about the upcoming festival.
At the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, Kenny
provided a selection of barbecue dishes to celebrate the upcoming festival, serving County Executive Bruce Blakeman a taste of what’s to come.
Joseph D’Alessandro /Herald
community
Hempstead Superintendent Susan Johnson described the district’s dilemma as unsustainable at the March 6 meeting.
Ware, a chef at Backyard Barbecue,
Leaders and advocates celebrate Sustainability
Local leaders push for greener, cleaner communities
By Kelsie Radziski
Visionaries, advocates and trailblazing leaders gathered at the Heritage Club in Bethpage on Feb. 26 to celebrate groundbreaking innovations and inspire bold action toward a sustainable future. From young students to influential policy-makers to community members making a difference, the Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, presented by Reworld, recognized those whose efforts are shaping a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
“It is an honor for us at the Herald and Reworld to showcase the achievements of these leaders,” Stuart Richner, president and publisher of Richner Communications Inc. and the Herald, said.
As Azeez Mohammed, CEO of Reworld, emphasized, the commitment to sustainability is not just about progress — it’s about making a lasting, positive impact.
“We are honoring those leaders and budding youngsters who demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, and that matters a lot to us,” Mohammed said. “Because with Reworld, our claim to fame is that we are the only company that manages waste in a sustainable manner.”
Reworld utilizes “infrastructure, technology and imagination to solve complex waste management challenges and help create a sustainable and more prosperous future for businesses and communities,” according to the company’s website.
Reworld was represented at the awards ceremony by Maureen Early, lead community relations specialist; Dawn Harmon, director of Long Island market; Adel Omrani, president of the East Region; and Lloyd Naideck, director of state government relations along with many other Reworld team members.
“We’re delighted to be able to honor all of these sustainability champions here tonight,” Early said. “So many of them have done so much in making Long Island a better place to live, work and play.”
Two young students were recognized for their sustainability efforts. Joseph Petraro, an 11-year-old who is a freshman at Louisiana State University, founded the Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, a nonprofit aimed at promoting positive social change, especially for vulnerable children. The initiative’s mission is to foster kindness, inclusivity and connections throughout communities, and to promote positive mental well-being.
“I used to get bullied when I was a lot younger,” Joseph said, “and I don’t want other people to feel that same way.”
He also started other initiatives, including the Clean Wells for Humanity program, which tackles global water scarcity, and the Adopt-a-Grandparent program, which fosters intergenerational bonds and promotes sustainable living practices. Joseph’s efforts to bring people together to help the environment made him a Student Champion for Sustainability Award winner.
Desiree Mohammadi, a 12-year-old student at South Woods Middle School, in Syosset, was honored for her initiative Seeds of Hope, which began when she saved the seeds from the vegetables in her family’s garden. Seeds of Hope has blossomed into a bigger movement, and Desiree has partnered with Island Harvest to plant seeds every spring at the nonprofit’s Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood.
“I think it’s a human right that people should be able to access fresh fruits and vegetables,” she said. Both student award winners were also presented with $2,500 to support their education or future sustainability projects.
Other honorees include Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead supervisor, and Rich Schaffer, Town of Babylon supervisor, who received Environmental Leader in Policy awards. They have each made efforts, working with Reworld, to improve sustainability and environmental efforts in their towns.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the Herald and by Reworld,” Schaffer said. “Reworld has been an excellent partner with the Town of Babylon, and it’s probably the main part of our solid waste infrastructure and how we deal with making sure the garbage leaves the curb and is dealt with correctly.”
Local community leaders were also recognized for their work. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, works to protect natural resources and public health. She and her organization have taken on challenges such as upgrading failing sewage-treatment systems, protecting and filtering drinking and surface water and supporting large-scale renewable-energy projects in the interest of improving the environment.
“We really feel it’s our job to make sure Long Island is clean, safe and sustainable for now and in the future,” Esposito said.
Gregory Sandor, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, was honored as well, for the strides the organization has made during his 12 years of leadership. The group has earned grant funding for a number of its specialized programs, including renewable energy, sustainable food systems, urban forestry and youth development. Cornell Cooperative is currently working with Reworld to build a Dynamic Learning Center in East Meadow, with the goal of educating the public about sustainability issues.
“We’re always looking at sustainability issues and how to be more resilient,” Sandor said. “So it’s exciting to be a part of that, and be a part of this different group of leaders that are being recognized.”
As attendees mingled and celebrated the honorees, vendors offered their donated products, among them Barrier Brewing Co., Garvies Point Craft Brewery, Farrm Wines, Borghese Vineyard, Del Vino Vineyards, Loughlin Vineyard and Twisted Cow Distillery.
The Herald Sustainability Awards were a testament to the collective impact when leaders and advocates unite with a shared purpose. The inaugural event showed that commitment to sustainability is about leaving a lasting, positive imprint on the world for generations to come.
Tim Baker/Herald
Maureen Early and Dawn Harmon pose with Gerry Compitello, Janina Martinez, Greg Maxilla, Jassi Anand, and Doug Jacob accept award for Babylon Town Supervisor, Rich Schaffer.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Joseph Petraro (center) poses with his 2,500 check, joined by Dawn Harmon, Maureen Early, and former NFL player Justin Tuck.
James Wylie, Lorne Brousseau, and Garrett Chelius get recognized for their work with REACH Rotary Club.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Gregory M Sandor, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extention Nassau County.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin gets his award for establishing the first hydrogen fueling station on Long Island.
Michael Fiorentino, Natural Resource Program Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County.
Seatuck Environmental Executive Director Enrico Nardone proudly poses with his award.
Desiree Mohammadi (center) proudly poses with her $2,500 check, joined by former NY Rangers Mike Richter, Maureen Early and Dawn Harmon.
Island Harvest CEO and president Randi Shubin Dresner proudly poses with her award.
Stony Brook University student Esther Poon with their award.
Reworld CEO Azeez Mohammed gives welcoming remarks.
Jason Thomas/Herald
REACH Rotary Club honoree James Wylie playfully points out the towering height of former NFL star Justin Tuck as they pose together for a photo.
Lissette Pellegrino, celebrating her award for Environmental Stewardship.
Garrett Chelius receives his award for his work with REACH.
Operation SPLASH president Robert Weltner.
Thomas Powell accepts an award on Eric Swenson’s behalf to recognize his exceptional contributions.
