Multi-million rehab proposed for SSHS

By JUDY RATTNER

If the Rockville Centre school district has its way, residents will approve a bond financing major improvements to South Side High School — and possibly other district schools — that could mean an increase in taxes of $185 for the average homeowner when all the money is borrowed.

The district’s plan is tentatively scheduled for a mid-December vote, so that proposed renovations to South Side High School can start as soon as school ends in June.

Details of preliminary plans and a proposed project timeline were presented by Roger Smith of BBS Architects & Engineers at the Board of Education meeting on Sept. 22, and Robert Bartels, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, offered ideas on how the district might finance the project.

The plans call for phased construction over three school years and four summers, at an estimated cost of $33 million to $35 million. Science classrooms and labs would be renovated, portable classrooms and the school library would be replaced, and a new music room would be built.

“The renovations that we are proposing are essential to correct deficiencies within the high school,” said school board President Mark Masin. “We have security issues trying to safeguard our students due to the many exits and entrances, as well as the portable classrooms in use throughout the campus. These temporary classrooms, which were only meant to be used for a few years, have been in existence for over 40 years.”

"Regardless of financial considerations," said board Trustee Stephen Kriss, "there is a significant need to upgrade our high school. We are still utilizing instructional space that was designed years ago as temporary space. It's inadequate. We're teaching high-level science courses in rooms that are circa 1954-1955, and the needs of science instruction have changed significantly."