March 7, 2026
Commack School District has closed nine schools since the 1970s due to population decline, but recent efforts show enrollment trends are now stabilizing. Here's what parents need to know.
Long Island school districts are grappling with a stubborn reality: fewer families, fewer students, tighter budgets. But Commack School District offers a different story—one of managed decline and cautious optimism.
The district has weathered decades of enrollment pressure. Between 1976 and 1983, Commack closed nine schools—Marion E. Carll, South Ridge, Smith's Lane, Green Meadows, Long Acres, Circle Hill, John F. Kennedy, Sagtikos, Green Fields, and Winnecomac—as the community's population dropped. The district reconfigured into its current structure: four primary schools serving grades K-2, two intermediate schools for grades 3-5, one middle school, and Commack High School.
Unlike North Fork districts facing crisis-level drops, Commack's enrollment has stabilized in recent years. The district served approximately 6,000 students during the 2018-2019 school year and has managed enrollment trends through careful planning and fiscal discipline. Superintendent Dr. Cox emphasized that the district continues to expand opportunities for students while maintaining a "fiscally conservative approach."
New York State's Regionalization Initiative is pushing all districts to explore cost-saving collaborations. Commack completed its survey by the December 6, 2024 deadline and is preparing responses for potential regional partnerships. The district's 2025-26 budget passed with community support, with voters approving the spending plan 1,330 to 546.
The district is actively recruiting through its Universal Pre-Kindergarten program and maintaining robust academic offerings. Parents should stay informed about regionalization developments and budget decisions that could reshape Long Island education. For the latest school performance data, families can consult NYSED's school report cards and U.S. News school rankings.
For ongoing coverage of Long Island schools, enrollment trends, and education policy affecting your community, explore LI Daily's education section.
