The Sewanhaka Board of Education expressed a strong preference at Tuesday night’s meeting for asking voters to approve a bond that would cover much if not all of the $78.17 million in repairs a consultant’s study said was needed at the five district high schools.
“This is something we’re not going to see again,” said board Vice President David Fowler, referring to the current low level of interest rates. “My preference is to go high.”
The board received the $78.17 million estimate in repairs and upgrades in a report it commissioned from Wiedersum Associates Architects in March. The board invited members of the district’s ad hoc committee of residents representing each high school to give input on a bond proposal on Tuesday night that would be put before voters in the fall.
“We need to think big because we may not have another opportunity,” said Floral Park ad hoc committee member Mike Jacobs. “You’re not going to have another $10 million in the budget anytime soon.”
Wiedersum called for an estimated $10.3 million in upgrades at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, including $1.3 million for a new turf athletic field, $2 million for heating ventilation, $1.1 million for a music room, and $1.8 million for improvements to the auditorium, including $800,00 for an air conditioning system.
Wiedersum recommended $14.5 million in upgrades at Floral Park Memorial High School, including $1.56 million for a new athletic field, $9.2 million for an enlarged auditorium. $1.1 for heating and ventilation improvements and $250,000 to restore the building’s masonry.
“We need to go higher and package it for all members of the community whether they have children or not so they see the value in it,” said board Trustee Michael Jaime.
Board Trustee David Del Santo, who had asked Wiedersum representatives to add new security elements to its original estimate, said the board needed to act on the architectural firm’s recommendations.
“I think we need to get behind raising the standards of our infrastructure,” Del Santo said.
Wiedersum Associates President Richard Wiedersum made a brief presentation on additional elements of the proposed upgrades.
Wiedersum said security upgrades at each school would cost $115,000, including an intercom and security cameras with a card reader, a remote door release at the main entrances and seven card readers at other doors. He said new high tech science labs in each building would cost $400,000 to $600,000 for each lab.
For New Hyde Park Memorial, Wiedersum was asked to provide estimates for new exterior fencing. He said 3,900 linear feet of six-foot high perimeter fencing and 1,410 linear feet of four-foot high fencing would cost $304,680. He said fencing for thew perimeter of the high school’s baseball field would cost between $126,000 and $151,000. Additional fencing for the softball field and tennis and basketball courts would cost approximately $160,000.
Sewanhaka Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie suggested the cost of replacing the baseball field at Floral Park Memorial might be cut by designating the ATS field in Elmont where the team now plays as the school’s home field. He also suggested considering a single high tech science lab at one of the district high schools to be shared by the other schools.
He said he didn’t want to take a chance on the bond proposition being defeated by district residents.
“There may have to be some compromise when we move forward with a building plan,” Ferrie said. “I want A through Z but we have to be realistic as well.”
Board President Jean Fichtl also sounded a cautionary note, saying, “We don’t want to drown this community with a bond that’s going to cost $100 million to $150 million.”
Residents expressed an urgency about the need to address repairs needed at some district buildings.
“This is not a Christmas list. This is a needs list,” said Elmont ad hoc committee member John Johnson. “If we don’t get this done, what are we going to do when the buildings fall apart?”
Maureen Kenney, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said one of the biggest problems the board faces is how much of the planned repair work will be eligible for state aid. She also said the district would be reimbursed after the work is completed, with state aid for completion of work at each school coming at least 18 months after the district files for reimbursement.
Kenney has said each $10 million the school district borrowed would on average translate to an additional $22 on each district resident’s tax bill.
Ferrie said he would make a presentation on a bond proposal for a fall referendum at the board’s June 25 meeting.
In other developments:
• With the two people left in the audience after the bond discussion in agreement, Ferrie didn’t deliver his planned presentation of the proposed $171.78 million 2013-14 district budget for the scheduled final budget hearing.
Kenney read the budget resolution that will be on the ballot. Voting on the Sewanhaka budget will take place on May 21 at the polling places for the satellite elementary school districts.
