The following Letter to the Editor was published in Newsday on August 25th, 2026. You can read the original version here.
While Long Island school districts have been known to overreach on developmental matters, there is no questioning the efficacy of their academic approach. Long Islanders love their school districts, and pay for them, for good reason.
While writers Zilvinas Silenas and Alyssa Lueberring raise superficial comparative arguments regarding levels of overall taxpayer spending and academic results, they neglect to mention the broader socio-economic climate in which Long Island’s school districts operate — and how these complex factors drive education costs.
As is the case with any industry — public or private — competitive salaries are the cornerstone of an entity’s ability to attract top talent. Given the academic requirements, licensing, and overall expertise required of New York State teachers, the salary averages cited are commensurate with similar positions.
Further, teacher salaries more significantly reflect the high costs of housing, transportation, and services within the Long Island region, challenges that have vexed policymakers for decades and go far beyond the scope of what school districts can reasonably address.
While an open and honest dialogue about the cost of education is always warranted, the fervor from young families in today’s residential real estate market shows us that the appeal of Long Island’s education system is far from “mediocre.”
Richard Murdocco, Commack
The writer is an adjunct professor of economic development at Stony Brook University.
