Valley Stream Central High School District sets bond vote for Dec. 6

The future of much-needed upgrades to the Central High School District is in the hands of Valley Stream voters, who will decide on Dec. 6 to accept or reject a $41 million bond proposal that would primarily fund repairs to each of the district’s four buildings.

According to the administrators, 61 percent of the bond would be funded through New York state building aid. The remaining 39 percent falls to taxpayers in school districts 13, 24 and 30, which, when combined, fund the CHSD. The annual increase per household in each elementary school district for the duration of the bond is estimated at about $52 in District 13, $45 in District 24 and $37 in District 30. Since construction won’t start until at least 2018, officials said the estimates could fluctuate.

The major projects are roof repairs to the Central, North and South high schools, as well as Memorial Junior High School. Superintendent Bill Heidenreich said an architect’s report found that the roofs have only two to three years left, and called the bond proposal “proactive planning.”

In addition to roof repairs, the bond would cover upgrades to science classrooms, masonry, bathrooms, electrical services and ventilation. A multi-sport artificial-turf field is outlined for every school except CHS, due to lack of space. The fields account for roughly $8 million of the bond’s total.

Heidenreich said that while many people agree that upgrades are needed, officials are concerned about the recent ramifications of the Green Acres Mall tax break that could lead voters to reject the bond.

The mall was issued tax incentives by the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency two years ago, which went into effect this year. The 10- to 15-year tax breaks reduced the mall’s property-tax payments by about $6 million this year, and portions of that burden were shifted to homeowners. The Central High School District and District 30 underestimated how much money they would receive under the mall’s payment plan through the IDA, which also contributed to increased tax bills. Though district officials have said the extra revenue that was levied will be used to help balance the subsequent year’s budget, fears remained about the bond’s ability to pass.

“There have been concerns raised about the timing,” Heidenreich said. “We started this conversation well before the Green Acres Mall issue. It’s just an unfortunate timing, but hopefully our residents will let us know whether or not to go forward.”

Wayne Loper, the Central High School District’s assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said that if the bond passes, it would be years before it affects taxpayers. “This money isn’t being borrowed for three years,” Loper said. “There would be no increase to a taxpayer until we get ready to do the work.”

Touring the school

The Herald recently toured CHS to sample issues plaguing the schools in the district.

The science labs in the building are outdated and dingy. Most of the sinks are rusty, and some of the cabinets are dilapidated. Heidenreich said the plan is to work with science chairs and tour other schools that have upgraded their science labs to get a better idea of how to modernize the facilities.

Some of the bathrooms in the building aren’t usable, including one near the auditorium, which smells musty. Most of the bathrooms were installed more than 60 years ago and are rife with rust and peeling paint.

The school’s exterior is lined with cracks and faded bricks. Below the windows near the sports field, there are noticeable rifts along the façade. The planned masonry work, covered by the bond, would improve the aesthetics and structure of the buildings, said Director of Facilities Jim Nothel. The playing field also showed signs of wear and tear due to constant use, Heidenreich said.

For safety reasons, the Herald was unable to get a close look at the roofs, but administrators emphasized them as top priority. “Once a roof goes, everything inside goes,” Loper said. “And then it just costs more in the long run.”

Heidenreich stressed that this bond proposal has been in the works for years, and he encouraged residents to go to the polls on Dec. 6.

“With the bond, we can basically explain this is what you’re getting,” Heidenreich said. “Whereas with the Green Acres PILOT matter, you’re not getting anything. There’s a tremendous distinction there.”

What do you think of the Central High School District’s decision to put a bond proposal to the community? Send letters to the editor to nciccone@liherald.com.