Thursday, October 1, 2026
At the Valley Stream Council of PTAs’ Legislative Breakfast, the focus turned to schools and students, while also touching on broader local and state concerns, during a “fireside chat” with elected officials.
After opening with two community agreements — to remain respectful and to keep the discussion centered on education — the moderator introduced a wide-ranging panel that included Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, representatives for Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and Governor Kathy Hochul, Nassau County Legislators Cynthia Nuñez and Carrié Solages and Village Trustee Kevin Waszak.
Immigration enforcement emerged as the most frequently submitted concern from families.
“Back in 2020, I passed one of the strongest New York state laws that prevents ICE from coming into courthouses without a judicial warrant,” Assemblywoman Solages said. “And I believe we need to extend those sensitive locations to schools to different other places.”
Speakers also addressed fears surrounding racial profiling and the impact of federal immigration policy on local families, underscoring that while immigration is largely a federal matter, state leaders are advancing proposals intended to protect school communities.
“As your legislator, although I’m not at the federal level, I will continue to advocate as your legislator to our congressional representatives because racial profiling is wrong,” Nuñez said.
Another topic centered on tax abatements through Industrial Development Agencies and their effect on school funding. Lawmakers described legislation aimed at increasing transparency, including livestreaming IDA meetings, adding school board representation and reforming how tax breaks are calculated under the tax cap. Officials urged residents to remain engaged in local government meetings, particularly as public comment rules have changed, stressing the importance of civic participation in budget decisions that affect schools.
Foundation aid and school funding prompted extensive discussion. Officials acknowledged concerns about the outdated funding formula and highlighted ongoing budget negotiations, including proposals to update poverty metrics and increase allocations for universal pre-kindergarten.
“It’s more important now than ever that we provide a funding formula that gives direct assistance to local school districts, so they don’t have to rely so much on property taxes and local homeowners to fund our schools,” Assemblywoman Solages said. “And we’re also going to have to have a conversation of how we fund our schools here in New York State, because it’s becoming unsustainable to rely on property taxes.”
Lawmakers noted that funding priorities must reflect current standards and rising costs, while also addressing mental health resources and unfunded mandates.
Technology issues — including artificial intelligence and social media — drew many exchanges. Proposals were outlined to integrate AI literacy into curricula, regulate the disclosure of AI-generated content, strengthen age-verification requirements and hold social media companies accountable for harm caused. Local governance was also emphasized, with officials encouraging parents to engage directly with school boards on policy decisions.
Students’ questions addressed snow removal and traffic safety. Officials acknowledged the jurisdictional complexities among village, town, county and state roads, outlined coordination efforts, and encouraged residents to report hazards directly.
Throughout the fireside chat, a consistent theme emerged: while responsibilities differ across levels of government, collaboration and civic engagement remain central to addressing the educational concerns raised by Valley Stream families.
