As members of the Board of Education, we understand the concerns many families and residents have regarding rising costs, inflation and the impact of taxes on household budgets. These concerns are real, and they were central to every discussion and decision made throughout this year’s budget development process.
The Board of Education unanimously approved the proposed 2026-27 school budget, which reflects a careful balance between fiscal responsibility and our continued commitment to educational excellence. With a proposed tax levy increase of 2.1%, well below the district’s allowable tax cap of 2.84%, this budget was crafted to protect taxpayers while preserving the outstanding opportunities and experiences our students deserve.
At a time when many neighboring districts are proposing significantly higher increases, Locust Valley remains among the lowest. This budget maintains all current academic, athletic and extracurricular programs while continuing to invest in student success and school safety. It preserves small class sizes, expands course offerings in areas such as engineering and accounting, strengthens literacy and science programming, and supports award-winning arts, music and film programs. It also includes critical security upgrades to school buildings and continued investment in leadership and career readiness opportunities for students.
Equally important, the district continues to utilize a thoughtful strategy to support the maintenance of our buildings without additional tax increases or unnecessary debt. By utilizing transfers to capital, we can responsibly manage long-term financial obligations, reduce future borrowing needs and minimize the burden placed on taxpayers over time. It is a fiscally prudent strategy designed to ensure that today’s decisions do not create tomorrow’s financial problems.
The Locust Valley and Bayville communities have always been strongest when we work together as one. Our schools reflect our collective values, and supporting our students is an investment in our shared future. In recent years, public discourse has increasingly shifted to social media forums and online commentary. While everyone is entitled to their opinions, we encourage residents to rely on factual information from district communications, budget presentations and official public meetings when making decisions about the future of our schools.
As a Board of Education, we stand firmly behind this budget because we believe it reflects the priorities of our community: strong schools, responsible financial planning, student opportunity, safety and long-term stability. We remain committed to supporting a thriving, healthy and unified school community where every student can succeed and every resident can feel confident in the direction of the district.
We encourage all residents to vote on Tuesday, May 19. Your participation matters, and your vote will help determine the future of the Locust Valley Central School District.
Sincerely,
The Locust Valley Central School District Board of Education


The 2026-2027 budget will provide additional safety precautions, primarily new doors and lock upgrades, as recommended to the district by the Nassau County Police Department and Department of Homeland Security.
A total of 230 doors will be upgraded, and 277 locksets will be outfitted to doors for swipe cards and automatic locks.
En los últimos años, el distrito ha seguido reforzando sus medidas de seguridad en todos sus edificios mediante la incorporación de nuevos sistemas de cámaras y control de asistencia, personal de seguridad adicional, dispositivos médicos para salvar vidas y capacitación para el personal de las instalaciones.
El presupuesto para el periodo 2026-2027 permitirá implementar medidas de seguridad adicionales —principalmente la instalación de puertas nuevas y la modernización de cerraduras—, tal como lo han recomendado al distrito el Departamento de Policía del Condado de Nassau y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional.
Se modernizará un total de 230 puertas, y se equiparán 277 conjuntos de cerraduras con sistemas de acceso mediante tarjetas magnéticas y cierres automáticos.




In addition to the budget vote and Board of Education election on Tuesday, May 19, the district is inviting students to come with their loved ones and cast their own ballot for a new slogan for our schools. The options are “Falcons Fly Together,” “Leadership Starts with Me” or “Lead, Learn, Grow.”
We look forward to revealing the winning slogan next week. For now, you can hear from many students’ and staff members’ thoughts on each slogan in the videos posted on the Locust Valley HS Film and TV YouTube Channel.
Vote on a New Locust Valley CSD Slogan! https://youtube.com/shorts/6sUFpmV4Y50?feature=share
LVCSD Slogan 1: Falcons Fly Together
https://youtube.com/shorts/boUxQ5Kf18M?feature=share
LVCSD Slogan 2: Leadership Starts with Me
https://youtube.com/shorts/UVtyMmtgt7I?feature=share
LVCSD Slogan 3: Lead, Learn, Grow
https://youtube.com/shorts/lLzz4GG9jj0?feature=share


Community members can catch up on important information ahead of the annual budget vote and Board of Education election on May 19 by going to the Budget Information tab on the district website.
There, you can find the entire adopted budget and all budget presentations from December to May, as well as voter location and registration information.
En la Propuesta N.º 2, la Junta de Educación solicita la autorización de la comunidad para actualizar las políticas de transporte para todos los estudiantes. Esta propuesta busca alinear las políticas con las prácticas actuales al proporcionar transporte a todos los estudiantes del distrito (niveles K-12), independientemente de la distancia a la que se encuentren de su escuela.
Además, aumentará el límite máximo de distancia para el transporte de todos los estudiantes de escuelas privadas y parroquiales, pasando de 15 a 18 millas. Ambas actualizaciones no representan ningún costo adicional para el distrito ni para los contribuyentes.
Los miembros de la comunidad pueden consultar información importante antes de la votación anual del presupuesto y las elecciones de la Junta de Educación del 19 de mayo, accediendo a la pestaña de Información Presupuestaria en el sitio web del distrito.
Allí podrá encontrar el presupuesto aprobado en su totalidad y todas las presentaciones presupuestarias desde diciembre hasta mayo, así como información sobre la ubicación y el registro de los votantes.
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info




Community members can catch up on important information ahead of the annual budget vote and Board of Education election on May 19 by going to the Budget Information tab on the district website.
There, you can find the entire adopted budget and all budget presentations from December to May, as well as voter location and registration information.
El presupuesto aprobado abarca una amplia gama de servicios esenciales. Para el año fiscal 2026-2027, el 96.4% de nuestros fondos está vinculado a costos fijos que sustentan nuestras operaciones fundamentales. Estos gastos innegociables incluyen los salarios del personal, los beneficios obligatorios y contractuales, el servicio de la deuda y el mantenimiento de las instalaciones, así como la educación especial, los servicios de BOCES, el transporte y diversas otras obligaciones legales y contractuales.
Los miembros de la comunidad pueden consultar información importante antes de la votación anual del presupuesto y las elecciones de la Junta de Educación del 19 de mayo, accediendo a la pestaña de Información Presupuestaria en el sitio web del distrito.
Allí podrá encontrar el presupuesto aprobado en su totalidad y todas las presentaciones presupuestarias desde diciembre hasta mayo, así como información sobre la ubicación y el registro de los votantes.
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info






All participants must sign a waiver at the check-in. Register at the link below and in our bios!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpzPE7hjSPfFkHuQo-_9cy4G655NBWKVNkwprPLii5xB3waw/viewform

Community members can catch up on important information ahead of the annual budget vote and Board of Education election on May 19 by going to the Budget Information tab on the district website.
There, you can find the entire adopted budget and all budget presentations from December to May, as well as voter location and registration information.
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info
El presupuesto del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley para el ciclo escolar 2026-2027, aprobado por unanimidad por la Junta Directiva, presenta un porcentaje de aumento presupuestario y de impuestos muy inferior al de los distritos vecinos. El aumento de impuestos del 2.10% se sitúa por debajo del máximo permitido del 2.84% y es el segundo más bajo entre los 12 distritos vecinos. Esta cifra también garantiza la continuidad de programas y experiencias de alta calidad para nuestros estudiantes, teniendo en cuenta el impacto financiero en nuestros contribuyentes.
Los miembros de la comunidad pueden consultar información importante antes de la votación anual del presupuesto y las elecciones de la Junta de Educación del 19 de mayo, accediendo a la pestaña de Información Presupuestaria en el sitio web del distrito.
Allí podrá encontrar el presupuesto aprobado en su totalidad y todas las presentaciones presupuestarias desde diciembre hasta mayo, así como información sobre la ubicación y el registro de los votantes.
https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info






During assemblies with Ann MacArthur Primary and Locust Valley Intermediate students, Lerner took questions about how he was inspired to become an author and illustrator, taught the students how he draws his characters and signed copies of his books for students and the schools to keep.
The students have worked in labs and classes for six hours a week after school since November, learning lifesaving techniques and preparing for the examination for EMT certification in May. Professionals walked the students through a mock car accident, advising them on how to assess the scene and handle the tools that can help them extract victims from the vehicle. The trip helped these devoted students gain valuable hands-on team building experiences.
The ceremony was attended by many, some traveling from far and wide to pay tribute to Tobin’s legacy and the beautiful new sign that welcomes you to the softball diamond. Among the attendees were the members of the current varsity softball team, all of whom are fully aware of the legendary coach who paved the way for the thriving program.
“Today, we dedicate this field in her name and we are doing more than placing a sign or honoring a career. We are cementing her legacy into the very fabric of our program, our school and our community,” athletic director Danielle Turner Cosci said. “Every practice, every game and every young athlete who steps onto this field will be a part of that legacy.”
The dedication came together through a project involving the district, the athletic department and Falcon Pride Athletic Booster club. A graduate of the high school’s Class of 1970, Tobin gave decades of her life to coaching, winning three conference championships in the 1984, 1985 and 1988 seasons and a Conference Coach of the Year award in 1988. But Tobin is just as revered for her community work, serving the summer recreation program for 50 years. Tobin is remembered as a caring, kind and loving leader in her community.
Falcon Pride Athletic Booster Club president John Johnson said that the organization reached out to the alumni base with the idea, leading to an outpouring of love and support for the idea.
“Unanimously, everyone mentioned that Cindy Tobin is Locust Valley girls softball, and naming the field would be a perfect tribute to her,” Johnson said.
“On the softball diamond, she did more than teach the mechanics of the game. She empowered young women to find their inner confidence, fostered a spirit of resilience and helped them realize their absolute highest potential,” Locust Valley Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kristen Turnow, said.
“As a big sister, she taught me many of the attributes that she taught her players. To play fair, try your best, work hard, help others and be a team player,” Cindy’s sister, Wendy Tobin said. “I am forever grateful to have a sister like her and I miss her every day.”
“The way I coach, the way I teach, the way I show up for others, that’s her. That’s her influence living through me every day” Tobin’s former player and current high school coach and physical education teacher Nadine Pacifico said. “I can still hear her voice echoing behind me, pushing me, challenging me and believing in me.”
Cindy Tobin Field will be a shining light in the district. Tobin’s devotion lives on in the generations of coaches and players she helped discover their full potential.
Physical editions of the newsletter should arrive at residents’ homes soon, as well.
Budget Information: https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info
Newsletters: https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/newsletter
Voter Information: https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/voter-information




As a reminder, all previous budget presentations are posted online on the Budget Information page under the Business Office tab on the district website menu.
Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/@LocustValleyBoardofEducation
Budget Information Page: https://www.locustvalleyschools.org/page/budget-info

But you don’t have to wait until June to break out the red, white and blue, as our schools will be celebrating in May with patriotic selections at the spring concerts from April 30 to May 14 and at the elementary school Memorial Day programs on May 21.
The seniors hit the runway with Falcons gear, prom previews and summer outfits hand-in-hand with Bayville and Locust Valley kindergarten students, the next generation of Falcons. In partnership with local outfitters Ask Alice Boutique, Encore Une Fois, Interstyle, J. McLaughlin, Max & Gino’s, The Spot Boutique, Valley Sports and Victor Talbots, the evening helped the class finance additional prom night and end-of-year activities.
The student models were cheered on all night by a crowd of enthusiastic classmates, friends and family members.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday, April 29, starting at 7 p.m., in the middle school/high school cafeteria.

The sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade and middle school cocurricular concerts will be on Monday, May 4, Tuesday, May 5 and Thursday, May 7, respectively, all at 7 p.m. in the MS/HS auditorium. Locust Valley and Bayville intermediate schools will come to the MS/HS auditorium for their concerts on Tuesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m., respectively.
Each concert will also be livestreamed on the Locust Valley HS Film and TV YouTube channel at the link below. We look forward to seeing the community come out and support these dedicated musicians.
https://www.youtube.com/@locustvalleyhsfilmandtv7373

To participate, students must create a flat, 2D piece of art no larger than 18 inches x 24 inches celebrating America’s semiquincentennial. Turn in your artwork to your LVCSD art teacher by Friday, May 15.

