Vote 'yes' on school bond

Many of us have lost jobs or income during the worst recession we’ve endured since the Great Depression. And many people on fixed incomes are feeling the burden of high taxes. To some, this seems like the worst possible time to float a $31.8 million bond to finance school improvements. We understand this view, but we see things differently.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, we believe now is actually a good time to finance needed improvements at South Side High School, and we encourage residents to support the bond being voted on next Thursday.

Built in the 1950s, South Side High is showing its age. Funds from the bond would update antiquated science facilities and eliminate dilapidated “temporary” portable classrooms that have become permanent fixtures. In this day and age, safety and security are of the utmost importance. Planned renovations would improve the movement of students within the building. Eliminating multiple entrances and replacing them with a single point of access would secure the campus.

The bond would also provide appropriate space for special-needs students, enable the school to serve and seat all students during lunch periods, double the number of bathrooms and significantly upgrade the performing arts facilities. Artificial turf and lights would increase the number of practices, games and events at the school and would solve expensive sod maintenance issues that arise from current overuse.

We are aware of opponents’ arguments against artificial turf and the proposed field lights, but we believe the benefit to the community outweighs the potential risks. The technology of both field surfaces and lights has improved. Neighbors of the school have been assured that the newest generation of lights will have little spillover, and the school board has already voted on strict rules for their use.

The bond is timed to take advantage of low interest rates and construction costs. It is structured so taxpayers won’t feel any impact during the first year (which we hope will see the end of the recession). In its second year, 2011-12, its impact on taxes would be minimal. Average taxpayers (with homes valued at $707,000) would see an increase of $14 from the bond that year. In the fifth year, the additional taxes’ highest point, the average homeowner would pay an extra $96, after which taxes from the debt would stay level until 2019-20 when the next retirement of debt service would take effect.

The added cost of this bond to taxpayers would be more than offset by the increased property values a state-of-the art high school offering an excellent education would bring to school district residents. And we believe the opposite is also true: If we fail to keep the high school facility up to current standards, its reputation for top-quality education will be diminished, along with home values.

Residents have a long tradition of supporting Rockville Centre’s fine schools. It is in everyone’s interest to keep South Side High up to date and ready for 21st century learning. The best time to do that is now. We urge residents to visit the high school gym on Dec. 17 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. and vote “yes” on the bond referendum.