Mineola school board sends $7M renovation package to voters

Maggie Badore

The Mineola Board of Education on Thursday approved a $7 million renovation of two of its school campuses that would be financed by the district’s capital reserve fund if approved by district voters on Nov. 10.

The project would provide new classrooms, sports facilities and other upgrades at the Hampton Street School and Mineola High School. 

“We saved money over the last two years, and now we need to ask the public permission to spend it,” Mineola school Superintendent Michael Nagler said. 

Improvements to Mineola High School include the construction of a new technology lab, a new synthetic turf field, replacement of the outdoor track and constructing additional storage space. 

The Hampton Street School, an elementary school, would get a new classroom, a addition to its cafeteria, a new synthetic turf field with lighting and concession stand, as well as a new bus loop. 

“A lot of really hard work went into planning to be able to do this project without borrowing money,” school board President Christine Napolitano said. 

Because the project includes new buildings, the district could get the state to cover part of its cost. 

Holding the vote in November instead of waiting until the regular school budget vote in May gives the district a better chance of getting state approval in time to begin construction in the spring, Nagler said.

The district previously has used the capital reserve fund to pay for several upgrades to school facilities. 

The district now hopes to make improvements that are “nice to have” and not just “must-haves,” Nagler said. 

If the project is approved, Nagler said, he would like to see construction begin in late June 2016. 

“I hope that the community sees that this is more than a school, and more than a field,” Trustee Margaret Ballantyne said. “It’s really for every student.” 

The Nov. 10 vote will be held at the Jackson Avenue Elementary School and at the Meadow Drive School. 

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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