Budget 2026-2027

This page is a one-stop location for all 2026 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election information. Click on the below items and resources to access important information regarding the 2026-2027 Budget, newsletter, Board of Election candidate profiles, and additional voting information.

Important Dates
Important Information

Important Dates

Beginning March 2, community residents can obtain candidate packets for the Longwood Board of Education at the Office of the District Clerk, located at the Central Office Administration Building, 35 Yaphank Middle Island Road, Middle Island. Packet distribution will be available from 8:45 am to 2:30 pm. Candidates are required to personally return completed packets to the District Clerk by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Budget Presentation: Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 pm
PTA Council Meet the Candidates Night: Thursday, April 30 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Longwood Middle School
Budget Hearing: Monday, May 11 at 7:00 pm
Budget Vote and Board Election: Tuesday, May 19 from 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Important Information

Throughout the school year, voters can register to vote at all school buildings, Central Registration or the Office of the District Clerk. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the school district for 30 days prior to the election (you do not need to own a home).

The 2026-2027 School Budget Vote and School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 7 AM to 9 PM at all four elementary schools. A Public Hearing/Board of Education meeting on the proposed budget will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2026, at 7 PM at Longwood High School.

Call (631) 345-2795 for more information, hours, and directions, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

Budget Development & Resources

View the Superintendent's Budget Presentation, the Proposed 2026-2027 Longwood CSD Budget, the 2026 Longwood Budget Newsletter, and legal notices.

Presentations

Legal Notices

Budget

Budget Newsletter

Board of Education Election

On May 19, Longwood voters will elect two district residents to serve on the Longwood Board of Education for a three-year term, beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.

Below are the candidates, listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. Each has submitted a Candidate Nominating Petition to the District Clerk and responded to a series of questions provided by the PTA Council.

Meet the Candidates Night will be hosted on Thursday, April 30th at 7:00 PM at Longwood Middle School. To watch LIVE or view Meet the Candidates Night, click here.

Click on each candidate's name below to view their unedited responses.

BOE Candidates

BOE Candidates

Jawaan Sween

Current Occupation/Professional and Business Experience:
I am a dedicated public servant, youth leader, and community advocate committed to creating stronger opportunities for young people in the Longwood community. I currently work for the Suffolk County Board of Elections and am pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Suffolk County Community College. My leadership experience includes serving as Youth President of Long Island Breakthrough Chapel and Youth Director of Long Island Breakthrough Center CDC, where I lead mentorship, financial literacy, and youth development programs.

Longwood Schools/Community Involvement and Number of Years Served:
I have also served as a junior mentor with the Suffolk County Youth Council, Youth Director for the Greater Gordon Heights Civic Association, and interned with Legislator Jason Richberg's Office and the Suffolk County Executive's Office of Minority Affairs. In the community, I coach a free youth basketball clinic in partnership with the Suffolk County Police Athletic League and organize programs that empower youth through education, discipline, and leadership.

Why are you running for the Longwood BOE?
I am running for the Longwood Board of Education because I believe our students deserve not only a quality education, but real preparation for life. My top priority is expanding youth development and real-world readiness, including financial literacy, mentorship, and career pathways.

If you could focus your efforts and advocacy on only one issue, what would it be?
As a Board member, I will advocate for stronger community partnerships, increased student support programs, and opportunities that equip every student with the tools to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Gina Pozzolano Gebbia

Children Attending/Attended Longwood Schools: No Children

Education:
Bucknell University 1988 BS Education
Dowling College 1991 MA Diagnosis of Reading Disabilities

Current Occupation/Professional and Business Experience:
I am currently retired from the Longwood Central School District. My career began at CEW with stops at West Middle Island and the Longwood Middle School.

Longwood Schools/Community Involvement and Number of Years Served:

Served on CEW and Middle School Shared Decision Making Teams
Girls Lacrosse coach from 2002
Athletic Supervisor for Junior High sports teams from 2005
Teacher and Administrative interview committees
Longwood Safety Committee member from 2018 Co-Chair since 2022
MITA Representative 2010 - 2018
MITA Treasurer 2018 - 2022

Why are you running for the Longwood BOE?
After working in the LCSD for over thirty years as a teacher and a coach, it has been such an honor to continue to serve the students and community of Longwood. Board service has been incredibly rewarding. I would like to continue to give back to the district that has given me so much. Ensuring students are on route to the stage as well as being educationally and emotionally equipped to lead a successful life is my goal.

If you could focus your efforts and advocacy on only one issue, what would it be?
Our children's safety is a top priority. For students to achieve their full potential they must feel secure and valued within their learning environment. This combines both physical measures and robust mental health resources. By integrating physical safeguards as well as essential social-emotional support with comprehensive resources for our entire school community, we ensure that students, faculty, and staff have the tools they need to succeed together.

Jeanne Knudsen

Children Attending/Attended Longwood Schools:
My sons attended Longwood schools (graduated in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2014)

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Manhattan University 1983
Masters of Arts in Education, University of New York at Stony Brook 1997

Current Occupation/Professional and Business Experience:

Social Studies Teacher, LHS, 2004-2026
IBM, Legal and Marketing 1983-1991
Mother of four sons, promoted to 'Nana' in 2018

Schools/Community Involvement and Number of Years Served:

Legislative and Safety Committees for Board of Education
Longwood PTAs including Ridge PTA President
Parish Council at Saint Mark RC Church
Ridge Civic Association

Why are you running for the Longwood BOE?
My husband and I moved to Longwood in 1986 and raised our four sons here because of the welcoming community and the district's focus on student success. My concerns and goals are simple: every student in our district deserves to be academically prepared — whether their path leads to college, a career, or military service. Strong curriculum, quality instruction, and community support are the foundation of student success. As a steward of your tax dollars, I am also committed to accountability — efficient operations, responsible spending, and full transparency so that our community always knows how its money is being used.

If you could focus your efforts and advocacy on only one issue, what would it be?
The safety of our students and staff is my highest priority. While teaching and learning, they deserve to feel secure, supported, and protected. As a board member, I will proactively pursue every available resource to make that a reality — building relationships with elected officials and aggressively seeking grants to ensure our schools are equipped with the most current prevention and intervention strategies available.

Christina Jackson

Children Attending/Attended Longwood Schools:
Generational roots in the Longwood community started in 1997, raising 4 children, expanding to 7 young grandchildren. Longwood has and continues to provide my children quality education and a diverse environment for the family, stability, educational opportunities, school teams and programs, LYSA athletics and friendships. My children have followed both the collegiate and trade school paths, and my youngest is in 10th grade.

Education:
My education includes a BSN from Stony Brook University, and an MBA from Benedictine University.

Current Occupation/Professional & Business Experience:
I have been an RN since 1995, currently in leadership in the Nursing Administration. Responded to the tragedy of 9/11, which led me to become American Red Cross Volunteer Nurse.

School/Community Involvement and Number of Years Served:
Current community service includes Longwood Board of Education 2023-current, Advisory, Policy & Procedure & Budget Committee. Current member of the Coram Civic Association.

Why are you running for the Longwood BOE?
My candidacy is to continue to promote our District Goals and Beliefs

Everyone...Every Day everyone deserves respect and connection
Learn and Grow- for children to reach their highest ability, whether their curriculum path includes college, career trade, or life skills
Own It - Taxpayer accountability within budget
Be Human- unity because we all have more in common than we realize.
Parental choice is a fundamental right.
Parental participation is encouraged,
Balanced support for administration, faculty & staff, parents, and community
As a BOE team member supported the Capitol Improvement Project Bond of 2024

The impact of decisions to be made at this level affects us all. I appreciate your consideration for continuing to serve you on this Board, as it has been a great honor.

Voting Information

View essential information regarding polling locations and addresses, registration, absentee ballots, and more.

Where do I vote?

Click this link for polling locations.

Longwood Central School District is divided into four election districts. Your voting location is determined by zip code, and not by where your child attends school.

Zip Code: 11727, 11763, or 11766
Coram Elementary School, 61 Coram Mt. Sinai Road, Coram
Zip Code: 11953 or 11764
West Middle Island Elementary School, 30 Swezey Lane, Middle Island
Zip Code: 11961 or 11786
Ridge Elementary School, 105 Ridge Road, Ridge
Zip Code: 11980, 11967 or 11973
Charles E. Walters Elementary School, 15 Everett Drive, Yaphank

Am I registered to vote?

Do You Need To Register To Vote?

If you are currently registered with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, or if you have voted in a Longwood Central School District election in the past four years, you are registered. If you are not sure, please contact the District Clerk at (631) 345-2795 or e-mail lillian.pizzolo@longwoodcsd.org.

Not Registered to Vote?

To be eligible to vote, you must answer “yes” to the following requirements:

I am a citizen of the United States.
I am age 18 years of age or older on the day of the vote.
I have been a resident of the Longwood Central School District for 30 days.

Residents may register to vote in school district elections at the District Clerk’s office or at any school building during school hours when school is in session. Registration to vote can be accomplished remotely through the New York State DMV website.

Please note: You can only vote at the elementary school designated by zip code as your polling place. Please refer to the “Where Do I Vote” information drop-down on the registration information above.

Last Day for Voter Registration – May 14, 2026

Absentee Ballot Application

Absentee and Early Mail Ballots – Due May 19, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.

Completed Absentee and Early Mail Ballots must be received by the District Clerk on or before the day of the vote, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, no later than 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Lillian M. Pizzolo, District Clerk, at Lillian.pizzolo@longwoodcsd.org or 631-345-2795.

APPLICATIONS FOR ABSENTEE AND EARLY MAIL VOTE BALLOTS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO APRIL 20, 2026.

Application for an Absentee Ballot

Applications for Absentee Ballots are below and are available during school business hours from the District Clerk. Completed applications for requesting an Absentee Ballot must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the vote, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, OR the day before the election, Monday, May 18, 2026, if the application is to be dropped off and the ballot is to be picked up in person by the voter. Please scan and email the application with a handwritten signature (no electronic signatures will be accepted) to Lillian M. Pizzolo, District Clerk at Lillian.pizzolo@longwoodcsd.org or send it by mail to: Lillian M. Pizzolo, District Clerk, Longwood CSD, 35 Yaphank Middle Island Road, Middle Island, NY 11953

You must meet any one of the following qualifications to vote via Absentee Ballot:

Absent from Suffolk County due to employment or business reasons, duties, studies, or vacation on the date of the vote (May 19, 2026).
Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.
Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or awaiting trial or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

Application for Early Mail Vote Ballot

Applications for Early Mail Vote Ballots are below and are available during school business hours from the District Clerk. Completed applications for requesting an Early Mail Vote Ballot must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the vote, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, OR the day before the election, Monday, May 18, 2026 if the application is to be dropped off and the ballot is to be picked up in person by the voter. Please scan and email the application with a handwritten signature (no electronic signatures will be accepted) to Lillian M. Pizzolo, District Clerk at Lillian.pizzolo@longwoodcsd.org or send it by mail to: Lillian M. Pizzolo, District Clerk, Longwood CSD, 35 Yaphank Middle Island Road, Middle Island, NY 11953

You must meet the following qualifications to vote via Early Mail Ballot:

You must be a qualified voter. A qualified voter must be:
- A United States citizen at least 18 years of age.
- A resident of the school district for thirty (30) days immediately preceding the election and not otherwise prohibited from voting under the provisions of Section 5-106 of the Election Law.

Application and Instructions for Early Mail Vote Ballot - English

Application and Instructions for Early Mail Vote Ballot - Spanish

Request for Military Ballot Application

Military Ballot Applications may be obtained from the Office of the District Clerk and submitted to the District Clerk, by mail - Lillian M. Pizzolo, 35 Yaphank Middle Island Road, Middle Island, NY 11953, email Lillian.pizzolo@longwoodcsd.org or fax (631-345-0144) no later than Thursday, April 13, 2026. Military voters must be registered voters. Military Ballots will be mailed out no later than Friday, April 24, 2026, and must be filed with the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Logo Image

Logo Title

In This Section

The 2026-27 School Budget has been approved!

Please see the results below: