Superintendent Chris Zublionis addresses opportunities, concerns

North Shore School District plans for the future

District looks for additional revenue streams

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North Shore School District superintendent Chris Zublionis presented a detailed overview of the district’s long-term financial and academic plan during the Jan. 23 meeting of the Board of Education. He focused on preparing for potential financial challenges and addressing evolving academic needs through 2027 and beyond.

Zublionis emphasized the need to plan for an unpredictable financial landscape, likening the district’s current situation to solving an algebraic equation with multiple unknowns. A significant concern is the district’s reliance on payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, and the shrinking direct assessments from the former Long Island Power Authority properties on Shore Road.

Currently, these properties contribute approximately $13.6 million annually to the district’s coffers. However, under a 2022 agreement between Nassau County and LIPA, direct assessment payments could be significantly reduced or eliminated starting 2027. Zublionis explained that while the district could lose up to $8.4 million annually, there is also the possibility of an extension of the payments.

“We have not been told that we would lose that revenue, but we do want to embrace a little of what I call WCS, or worst-case scenario thinking,” Zublionis said, noting the importance of planning for all contingencies, including new potential revenue streams.

“Worst-case scenario thinking is not about being pessimistic—it’s about being prepared.”

Despite the financial uncertainties, Zublionis framed the situation as an opportunity for the district to critically evaluate its operations and priorities, adding that further adjustments may be necessary to address future state aid fluctuations and rising expenses such as health care and other mandated costs. Over the past two years, the district has managed to reduce spending by $5.5 million without significant staff reductions.

“We’ve been able to take a closer look at how we operate and align our values with our decisions,” he said. “We’re happy to report that for the next year we didn’t have a loss of state aid, but we are worried about that in the future.”

The superintendent also highlighted possible new revenue sources, including tuition revenue from out-of-district students, fundraising initiatives, and legislative grants. Additionally, proposed developments at the former Engineers Country Club site could increase the district’s tax base, potentially lowering the tax rate for residents while increasing revenue.

Another key focus of Zublionis’ presentation was the district’s evolving student population. While enrollment has remained stable at approximately 2,550 students, the number of English language learners, special education students, and economically disadvantaged students has grown significantly.

Over the past decade, the number of ELL students has increased from 36 to 70, while the percentage of students classified with disabilities has risen to 18%, with an additional 7% requiring accommodations as stipulated in Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Economically disadvantaged students have also increased from 198 in 2014 to 343 today.

“We are becoming a more diverse school district, which is a great thing,” Zublionis said. “But it also means we need to think strategically about how we allocate resources and provide services.”

To address these needs, Zublionis outlined plans to hire additional staff, particularly for ELL and special education programs. He also emphasized the importance of professional development and curriculum updates to meet new state graduation requirements and ensure all students have access to a high-quality education, while balancing it against the district’s financial situation.

Zublionis praised the district’s Construction Steering Committee and the Board of Education for their proactive approach to managing infrastructure and capital expenses. Having recently completed a major bond project, the district is now focused on addressing additional needs, including septic systems, air conditioning, and athletic field improvements.

“We want to have a plan in place to meet these needs before we face a potential fiscal cliff in 2027 or beyond,” Zublionis said. “We don’t want to be in the middle of major revenue loss and need to replace a track or replace our air conditioning or upgrade a baseball field.”

The district plans to use funds from its capital reserve and falling-off debt to finance these projects, minimizing the impact on taxpayers.

As the district prepares for the challenges and opportunities of 2027 and beyond, Zublionis emphasized the importance of maintaining clarity and adaptability. He recommended conducting a new demographic study to refine enrollment projections and better anticipate future needs.

“We want to have a plan in place that reflects our values and prepares us for whatever comes our way,” Zublionis said. “We need to look at this as another opportunity to fine-tune projects with intentionality.”

The Board of Education commended Zublionis for his comprehensive presentation and expressed their commitment to working collaboratively to address the district’s challenges. Several board members asked for clarification on certain aspects of the presentation, but the overall reception was highly positive.

Andrea Macari, board president, emphasized the importance of making sure that this and other relevant information about the district’s financial planning and budgeting is easily available and understandable for residents of the district.

“I think there’s some tweaks, particularly in how we can simplify the language, because last year there were times when some of those Power Points got too dense,” Macari said. “But overall, I think we did a great job getting the word out to many different aspects of the community in many different ways.”

The next steps include refining the district’s long-term financial and academic plans, engaging the community in discussions about priorities, and advocating for additional state and federal support.

“Our hope is by spring to have some more definite options as we go forward,” Zublionis concluded. “We’re going to keep the focus on these conversations about the future.”