The East Meadow Board of Education has adopted a resolution to proceed with a community vote on March 5, on a proposed $71.5 million bond referendum for capital improvements that would touch every school building in the district.
Planned improvements, which were detailed at the Jan. 7 board meeting where the resolution was adopted, will focus on security upgrades, athletics and arts. At its highest cost, the bond would cost homeowners in the East Meadow School District $31.86 annually.
About the Bond
Discussions on the bond began at board meetings in November and were continued at community forums held through early-December in the district’s high schools and the Salisbury School, the district’s administrative headquarters in Westbury.
Superintendent of Schools Ken Rosner explained that every year, the district prepares its annual budget, presents it to the community and taxpayers vote on it in May. The budget covers operating costs, salaries, supplies, transportation and small-scale building projects. Funding for the budget comes from various sources, including state and local property taxes and federal grants. In recent years, approved budgets have allocated funds to a variety of projects around the district.
However, financing capital improvements with a bond means that the school district would borrow money, similar to a mortgage, and taxpayers would pay it back, with principal and interest, over 15 or 30 years. Bonds allow districts to finance “big-ticket items,” Rosner said in November.
The proposal was developed after a comprehensive building conditions’ survey at each district school. Rosner said his team worked with principals and administrators, athletic directors at individual schools and department chairs. They also collaborated with tax consultants, a bond council and other experts, to help district administrators make informed decisions.
What's Included?
According to the school district, security vestibules would be constructed at each building to strengthen controlled access and provide an added layer of protection for students and staff, and interior door locks would be changed. Additionally, the fire alarm systems in each building would be replaced and brought up to code.
The capital improvement plan also would include a series of athletic facility upgrades designed to improve safety, durability and year-round usability. At East Meadow High School, the project calls for the installation of new synthetic-turf fields on the existing baseball, softball and practice fields. The plan also would involve the construction of new bleachers, a press box and lighting at the football field as well as new concession stand, with restrooms. In addition, the project would see the renovation of some existing locker rooms that are used by students for physical education classes as well as visiting athletes.
At W.T. Clarke middle and high schools, turf fields would be added onto the softball, practice and multi-purpose fields. New bleachers and lighting would be installed on the football field, to expand the district’s ability to host events and maximize facility usage. Restrooms would be built in an existing structure at the Clarke High School athletic complex, and synthetic-turf baseball and multi-purpose fields would be installed at the Salisbury School.
Woodland Middle School would see the construction of new turf baseball, softball and football fields, and new bleachers would be installed at the football stadium.
The proposal includes HVAC and audio-visual system upgrades to the performing arts centers at East Meadow High School, Clarke middle and high schools and Woodland. In addition, it calls for the complete renovation of select playgrounds and safety surfaces at each elementary school to improve safety, accessibility and play opportunities for younger students, as well as the installation of sensory playgrounds at Bowling Green and Meadowbrook elementary schools for use by students with special needs.
Board president Jessica Ricco-Simeone has acknowledged that while the proposed improvements focus mainly on security, athletics and arts, the district remains committed to enhancing academics for all students.
“These will continue to be funded through the district’s regular operating budget and, where appropriate, the capital improvement fund,” she said, “ensuring that instructional programs and classroom needs remain a top priority for our community.”
Want to Learn More?
The district plans to host a series of community forums to share information about the proposed referendum and answer questions from residents. The first two forums took place on Jan. 20 and 23, with additional forums slated for Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury.
All meetings will be live-streamed on the district’s YouTube channel.
“I invite residents to participate in this process and learn about the proposal being presented to voters,” Rosner said. “Community feedback and understanding are essential as we consider investments that support our schools and students.”
Polls will be open on March 5, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at all district elementary schools. Residents are asked to vote at their local elementary school.
Detailed information regarding the proposal and voting details can be found on the district’s website at EMUFSD.us.
