Bellmore-Merrick voters approve Jerusalem Avenue school building sale

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Bellmore-Merrick voters on Tuesday approved the Central High School District’s referendum to sell the Jerusalem Avenue school building to Nassau BOCES for $12 million. The referendum passed with roughly 75 percent of the vote in a Dec. 5 special election, in which 759 voted in favor and 278 voted against.

Nassau BOCES has leased the 16-acre property for 19 years, and according to Central District officials, no longer wants to rent.

Central District Superintendent John DeTommaso had pushed for the sale, which was supported unanimously by the Board of Education, since March, promising that the proceeds would be used to minimize future tax levies.

“We’re thankful that the community supported our efforts,” he said. “We’re convinced this is going to be good for the Bellmore-Merrick district, the community, Nassau BOCES and the children in all the other districts.”

Now that the referendum passed, DeTommaso said, it will be taken to a vote in the other school districts that Nassau BOCES serves. If it passes, the sale will become final in July.