Thursday, October 1, 2026
Voters in the Locust Valley and Oyster Bay-East Norwich school districts approved their respective 2025-26 spending plans in Tuesday’s budget votes and Board of Education elections, signaling strong community support for continued investment in local education.
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District’s $67.7 million budget passed with 643 votes in favor and 420 opposed. The spending plan, $2.1 million larger than the current budget, aims to maintain existing programs and services while supporting educational and operational needs across the district.
“Thank you so much to the entire community who came out and voted,” Superintendent Francesco Ianni said. “I’m excited for the students. That is always, and will always, be my top priority as long as I’m superintendent.”
In the school board election, incumbent Trustee Michael Schindler was re-elected, with 595 votes, and newcomer James Rickard earned a board seat by attracting 696 votes, the highest total of the evening.
Voters also passed Proposition 2, approving the expenditure of at most $485,000 from the district’s technology capital reserve on numerous district-wide technology upgrades, such as iPads and chromebooks, and Proposition 3, authorizing a $990,000 withdrawal from the capital reserve fund for infrastructure projects at the high school, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary and districtwide. Proposition 4, the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library budget, had overwhelming support, with 777 votes for and only 76 against. And longtime library Trustee Frank Murdock was re-elected with 760 votes.
School board President Laurie Kowalsky expressed her gratitude to the community.
“This vote is a clear sign of confidence in the direction our district is heading and a shared commitment to our students and their future,” she said. “Together we’re making lasting investments in our children and the strength of our district.”
The Locust Valley Central School District’s $98.2 million spending plan was approved by a vote of 731 to 530. The budget is 1.9 percent larger than this year’s, and includes a tax levy increase of 2.36 percent, well below the district’s state-mandated cap of 2.7 percent.
Roughly 91 percent of the district’s spending will be funded by tax revenue, with an additional $5.6 million in state aid. The majority of the expenditures — roughly three-quarters — comprise staff salaries and benefits. The district also anticipates an increase of approximately $300,000 in employee benefit costs, due to adjustments in the State Retirement System and other contractual obligations.
Superintendent Kristen Turnow thanked voters for their support.
“This outcome reflects a shared commitment to our students, staff and the future of our schools,” she said. “Your vote of confidence ensures that we will continue to maintain high-quality educational programs and a supportive learning environment for all students.”
The district also passed Proposition 2, a capital reserve withdrawal for projects including a renovated cafeteria at the middle school-high school complex and a new artificial-turf multi-sport field at Bayville Intermediate School. The measure passed with 823 votes in favor and 417 against.
Acting school board President George Vasiliou emphasized the importance of both votes.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are really, truly grateful to the entire community,” he said. “Not only that, but the community really supported and came out very strongly in favor of the two major capital-improvement projects in Proposition 2.”
Incumbent board Trustee Krystina Tomlinson was re-elected with 894 votes, and Lindsay Fox, a newcomer, secured the second open seat with 883 votes.
"I am truly honored to have been elected to the Board of Education and look forward to working collaboratively with our administrators, teaches, parents, and community members," Fox wrote in a statement. "Together we will advocate for the success and bright future of all LVCSD students."
“It is an honor to represent the LVCSD community,” Tomlinson said. “The community’s support of the budget and capital-improvement projects was key, and it gives the district and Board of Education the tools it needs to really enhance the day-to-day lives of the students.”
She emphasized that the district continues to operate within responsible financial parameters, with a fund balance of just under $26 million and an unassigned portion compliant with state regulations.
The Locust Valley Library’s tax levy was also approved, with 424 votes in favor and 177 opposed.
More information about the results and upcoming projects at the schools can be found at the districts’ websites, OBENSchools.org and LocustValleySchools.org.
