Merrick voters pass $19.9M school bond

Measure passes by 361-167

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Merrick School District voters on Tuesday approved the borrowing of $19.8 million to pay for district-wide school improvements, including a 5,800 square-foot addition to Chatterton Elementary.

The bond passed by a vote of 361 to 167.

The entire project will cost $24.9 million, $5 million of which will come from the district’s fund balance, according to school officials.

Superintendent Dr. Dominick Palma said last week that the renovations would provide “a 21st-century learning environment for children.”

“Merrick School District’s newest school building was built over 50 years ago, and the oldest building is past its 90th year,” he said. “The project will allow for renovations of bathrooms, replacement of deteriorating classroom casework, and replacement of the heating systems with more efficient equipment that can also provide air-conditioning for better temperature control and airflow.”

Parking lots, sidewalks and paved play areas would also receive necessary repairs, and electrical systems at all schools would be brought up to current codes.

Plans will be designed starting in the spring and summer next year, before being submitted to the New York State Education Department for approval.

Palma added that some work may begin during the summer of 2017, and projects that do not interfere with classes will likely continue through the 2017-18 school year. Construction of the addition at Chatterton will also begin in summer 2018.

“Thank you to all residents who voted in the district's capital improvement bond referendum,” Palma said on Tuesday, in a statement. “The district will continue to keep the community updated on the project's timeline, as the plans are approved by the state, the projects are put out to bid and the renovation work begins. Again, thank you for your support.”

"On behalf of the entire Board of Education, I would like to thank the community for its participation and approval of this proposal, added Board of Education president Pamela Banks. "WIth your approval, we are able to improve our school buildings to support the 21st-century curriculum that is already provided. We will continue to keep the community updated on the progress of the projects as they are approved by the state Education Department and the renovation work begins."