Sewanhaka Superintendent of schools Ralph Ferrie said he will provide more details one the district website on how money in the district’s proposed bond would be spent after questions were raised at a board meeting Tuesday.
“We’ll add it to the website,” Ferrie said.
Resident Christine Grincato said the district did not provide sufficient detail on how the $86.6 million proposed in the bond would be spent.
“I think that it’s really important for people to know where the money is going to go,” Grincato said.
The proposed bond will be used to perform “major renovations to all five high schools to include auditoriums, roof work and windows where needed,” according to the website. Approved projects will be carried out and financed in phases over a period of three to four years.
“The impact of passing this bond proposal is immediate,” Sewanhaka school board Vice President David Del Santo said at a March 18 board meeting. “The building’s need to be attended to and that’s what we’ll do.”
The district also plans to renovate its technology infrastructure and security upgrades at all five of its high schools, athletic facilities throughout the district, and additions to the gymnasiums of Sewanhaka High School and Elmont Memorial High School.
This proposed $86.6 million is to be brought to a vote on the same day as the school’s budget vote, on May 20. According to the district, the bond will cost homeowners approximately $114 a year or $9.50 a month. A proposal for a $99 million bond was defeated by voters in December.
In other news:
Residents expressed concerns with the proposed transfer of a vice principal from H. Frank Carey High School to Floral Park Memorial High School.
“There’s about 450 less students in Floral Park Memorial,” resident Dana DeLeo said. “They’ll have 2 V.P.s by getting one of ours.”
Board members said the vice principal being transferred would not be made public until the school year begins in the fall.
-The board approved a measure to give students with special needs multiple routes to obtain a high school diploma. One will allow students to partake in career technology programs and still graduate with a regular high school diploma while the second option will allow students to be alternatively assessed, said district Attorney Bernadette Gaffney.
– Prior to the regular school board meeting, trustees acknowledged students who have been involved with the New York State Key Club Conference, Skills USA Regional Awards, and High School Newspaper and Magazine Awards.
