Two Mineola schools will get a large makeover after district voters approved a $7 million renovation package Tuesday.
The 442-162 vote allows the district to use money from its capital reserve fund to pay for the project, which will give the Hampton Street School and Mineola High School new sports fields, classrooms and other upgrades.
Mineola school board President Christine Napolitano said the board is “very happy” the renovation package passed.
“We were hopeful that the community would see the value of all the projects and more importantly, the value of saving for them instead of borrowing for them,” she said in an email Wednesday.
The Hampton Street School, an elementary school, will get a new synthetic turf athletic field with lights and a concession stand, as well as a new bus loop, cafeteria, multi-purpose room and classrooms, improvements worth $5 million.
The other $2 million will build another synthetic turf field, outdoor track, technology lab and additional storage space at Mineola High School.
All proposed projects that use money from the capital reserve fund require voter approval.
In this case, using the reserve fund meant the district did not have to borrow any money or raise taxes to pay for the renovations. The district can also apply for help from the state because the project includes new construction.
In September, Mineola school Superintendent Michael Nagler said holding the vote in November rather than including it in the May budget vote made it more likely that the district would get state approval for the projects in time to start construction in June of next year.
The school board will discuss the project’s timeline at its next meeting Nov. 19, Napolitano said.
The last reserve fund vote came in 2013, when district residents voted 363-112 to fund a $3.8 million repair package for all seven of the district’s schools.
A $15 million ceiling on the capital reserve fund also passed 295-169.
