UZUN ISLAND — A plan to regionalize some public school services in New York state has set off alarm bells among many parents and educators on Long Island who fear losing control of their school districts.

But state education officials say that’s neither the goal nor the plan.

At issue is a directive offered as an emergency regulation by the state Board of Regents. To ensure all students are successful, districts are asked to complete a strengths and needs survey about their ability to address disparities.

Districts already share some services, but the Department of Education says it is looking for more opportunities.

“When we talk about opportunities, we’re talking about advanced course work, joint staff, extracurricular activities and a variety of subjects,” one official said in early September.

Educators, parents and lawmakers say no to this idea

The regionalization initiative isn’t sitting well with many on Long Island.

“We want to maintain local control over our decisions for our students,” said Cold Spring Harbor Schools Superintendent Joe Monastero.

“This is our tax money. We have a say in it. Keep your hands off my kids,” said Great Neck parent Mimi Xu.

“It’s our money, our rules. This has nothing to do with the government,” one parent said.

Fourteen Long Island school districts sued to stop the plan. In the fine print, the language says a district superintendent can force a district to make changes.

“It is clear that this document mandates the coordination, regionalization and delegation of authority of our schools to a regional authority,” said State Senator Jack Martins, who represents Old Westbury.

Long Island’s 124 school districts, including some of the nation’s best, highly value their elected boards and independence.

“We will not allow the Department of Education to destroy our school districts,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said.

“It will be a complete change of power from what we have today,” Locust Valley School Board member Margaret Marchand said.

“We will fight for local control until we win,” added State Sen. Steve Rhoads of Bellmore.

State education officials say the plan is the only optional plan

“If they don’t agree to do it or it’s not from them, they don’t have to sign on to do anything,” Deputy Commissioner Jeff Matteson said. “But what we don’t want to do is take away great programs from anyone or dilute great programs.”

But parents fear sharing resources could mean taking some away.

“If you’re in a top-three school district, you probably stand to lose more than you gain. If that happens, there will be winners and losers,” said one Great Neck parent.

Roger Tilles, a member of the New York State Board of Regents, told CBS News New York that no district is obligated to do anything that is not in its district’s best interest. The only thing that is mandatory is to start talking.

The regionalization initiative is planned to be implemented in 2026 and re-evaluated every ten years.