This is not about turf athletic fields. That is only 12 percent of the proposed $86.6 million referendum.
This is about safety, upgrading, improving and modernizing our aging district high school buildings and facilities that are 50, 60, 80 years old.
This referendum serves as a vehicle for long-needed capital improvements to each of the 5 high schools in the Sewanhaka Central High School District. This is separate from the annual operating budget for salaries, benefits, program costs, supplies, and day-to-day needs over the course of the school year. The referendum is about increasing the values of our school system, the educational experience of our children, our community, and our property.
The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education will hold that bond referendum vote on May 20.
If passed, it will provide a limit to allow the district to issue debt up to that proposed amount to bring the district’s high schools’ infrastructure into the 21st century.
The district’s excellent financial position will allow borrowing at favorable interest rates, and approximately 42% of the debt will be covered and reimbursed by state aid. This will allow the district to proactively plan and schedule urgent, long-needed, and long-lasting capital improvements and upgrades, which will avoid inefficient stop-gap and short-term emergency repairs (and increase future Operating budgets), for which the district would receive no state aid.
A committee was formed in October 2012 with representatives from each school community – New Hyde Park, Franklin Square, Elmont, and Floral Park/Sewanhaka.
The plan calls for renovations to seven buildings and athletic fields within the five-component district, improving energy efficiency, roofing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, upgrading technology and security, and constructing new gyms, cafeterias, music rooms, and auditoriums. The bond referendum, if passed, would fund the planned improvements to begin at the same time, providing equity to the students of each community.
Once again, the vote is Tuesday, May 20 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents are to vote at the school for which they are zoned.
Thank you for your support of our children and your community.
As a 26-year resident of Floral Park, active in our local youth programs, and the parent of an FPM student, I urge you to vote for the bond referendum on May 20.
Julius Picardi
Floral Park
