The Great Neck Board of Education approved a $17.2 million capital projects proposal this week to renovate, repair and improve the district’s aging grounds and facilities
Board President Barbara Berkowitz characterized the proposal during the board’s regular meeting on Monday at the North High School Lecture Room as a ” holiday gift” to local residents, who will have the opportunity to cast their opinion on the matter during a special voter referendum scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The proposal, if passed, would provide upgrades and repairs for a majority of the district’s buildings, along with many of its athletic facilities.
Great Neck School District Superintendent Thomas Dolan said that the capital projects would have “no impact on taxpayers.”
“Because of some very good planning on the part of our business office and our confidence in our facilities department, we are in a position to make some major improvements in our schools and with no increase in taxes,” Dolan said.
Residents will be able to vote on the Feb. 14 referendum in two locations from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. For voters living north of the Long Island Rail Road, ballots can be cast at E.M. Baker Elementary School, while residents living south of the LIRR can vote at Great Neck South High School.
“I’d like to think of the timeliness of this presentation tonight with the holidays approaching, as I truly consider this to be our gift to the Great Neck community,” Berkowitz said of the $17,184,085 capital project.
“I hope that all of you will be as excited as we are to undertake these projects, which will benefit the infrastructure of our schools as well as the entire community without … any disruption of services or cost to our taxpayers,” she added. “This is a Valentines Day gift, with our love, for Great Neck.”
District officials deliberated between three different revenue sources to fund its capital projects program.
The board chose to use its unassigned fund balance over options to transfer funds from its general fund to the capital fund, or use money generated from the issuance of debt to finance the improvements, Great Neck School District Assistant Superintendent for Business John Powell said.
“This funding source was established over a number of years through conservative budgeting practices and more favorable, as opposed to unfavorable, economic events,” Powell said.
The district’s unassigned fund balance has accumulated from revenue savings over previous expenditures, net transfers to reserve accounts and appropriations for the subsequent year’s budget.
Powell said the capital projects program is part of an effort by the board of education to improve the district’s aging facilities, which dates back to the 1993-94 school year.
Of the district’s buildings, two were constructed in the 1920s, one in the 1940s, seven in the 1950s and one in the 1960s.
Although the buildings are old, Powell said residents should not be under the impression that “these buildings have been neglected and that this is the first time in a long time that a significant investment is being made to address these needs.”
Over the past 10 years, the district has spent $53,414,433 on capital improvement projects, Powell said.
“What we are talking about tonight is the very physical infrastructure needed for this school district to function,” he said.
Great Neck School District Director of Facilities Alfredo Cavallaro presented a slide show during the meeting, which addressed many of the construction needs within the district.
Those issues mostly have to deal with health and safety concerns, along with masonry and structural deficiencies.
But, nearly 21 percent of the project will also deal with upgrades at athletic facilities, while 13 percent will address environmental concerns at district buildings.
“The last year I’ve had so many opportunities to use the words ‘aging infrastructure’ that I thought I was playing a drinking game,” Berkowitz said.
The capital projects program list includes 39 improvement projects at various district buildings.
The most costly include the $1,989,000 earmarked for masonry work at North Middle School, along with the $1,053,000 to renovate 18 bathrooms at the school.
Lakeville School would also have a new boiler plant installed for $1,755,000, while its slate roof would also be repaired at a cost of $1,353,000.
The district’s athletic fields would also be getting quite a face lift as $1,282,250 was appropriated for a new track and bleachers at North Middle/High School, while at South High School $836,550 will go to replace its track and $848,250 will go toward its girls lacrosse field.
“Some of these projects must be done now,” Dolan said. “Some might be considered enhancements to our programs and they are equally important.”
“We have developed a list that attends to as many needs across the district as possible, utilizing the funds we have available for this purpose,” he added. “All in all, they will represent a significant investment in the district, in an effort to make our buildings even safer and more productive.”
The board will hold two additional public hearings on its capital projects program during its business meetings at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at North High School and at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6 at the Cumberland Adult Center.
Reach reporter John Santa by e-mail at jsanta@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x203
