I.P. voters approve $17.1M bond

Island Park residents voted on Jan. 24 to approve a $17.1 million bond proposed by the village’s Board of Education to pay for major renovations and repairs at the Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and Lincoln Orens Middle School.

The bond was divided into two proposals, voted on separately, and both passed. The first asked for $12.5 million for roof replacement and classroom renovations at the two schools. The second proposal, for $4.6 million, will fund air conditioning in both buildings.

Proposal No. 1 garnered 308 votes for and 146 against. The public approved proposal No. 2, 282 to 167.

The tax burden for residents will start at $118 per household annually, according to the district, and will replace payments for bonds passed in 1996 and 2000. By 2021, the payments are expected to increase to $204 per household and will remain at that level until the payment period ends in 2032.

School officials planned to meet with engineers and architects from Patchogue-based BBS Architects on Wednesday — after the Herald went to press — to discuss construction plans.

Superintendent Dr. Rosmarie Bovino said last week that the district anticipates work to begin this summer, and that initial projects could include backup generator installation and cabinetry replacement at Hegarty, as well as roof repair at both schools.

Major classroom renovations, air-conditioning installation and ceiling and light work in each gymnasium would take priority the following summer, Bovino said. She added that district officials would like most of the work to be completed by the summer of 2020.

The construction would be the first major overhaul of the elementary and middle schools’ classrooms since the buildings were constructed in 1927 and 1962, respectively.

Members of the Island Park Board of Education and PTA said they were happy with the results. “We are grateful that the community recognizes the importance of creating and maintaining an educational environment that gives our children every opportunity to succeed,” said school board President Jack Vobis.

“The Island Park PTA is thrilled to see the overwhelming support of the voters in favor of the school bonds,” the PTA wrote in a statement, “and we are grateful to our wonderful community for fully supporting both propositions, which will benefit our children and future generations.”

The reaction from residents on social media however was mixed. Some took to Facebook to express their unease about paying additional annual taxes. Others said they hoped the school renovations would increase property values in the village.

“I want to thank the residents for their support,” Bovino said. “The bond will address and serve the community for the next 30 to 40 years.”