Voters overwhelmingly approved a $71.5 million bond on Thursday that will finance a comprehensive capital improvement plan in the East Meadow School District, including enhancements at each school building, centered on robust security upgrades, athletics and arts.
The bond passed by a vote of 1,132 to 462.
At its highest cost, the bond will increase taxes $31.86 annually for the average homeowner in the district and be paid off over the course of 20 years. Because existing district debt is scheduled to expire during the life of the bond, residents would see decreases in some years, school district officials explained.
“The district appreciates the support of the community and will keep residents updated on the progress of all projects,” East Meadow district leadership wrote in a Facebook post Thursday evening. “Once again, thank you for your support.”
The bond will allow the district to finance new security vestibules at each building to strengthen controlled access and provide an added layer of protection for students and staff, and interior door locks would be changed. Additionally, the fire alarm systems in each building would be replaced and brought up to code.
At East Meadow High School, the project calls for the installation of new synthetic-turf fields on the existing baseball, softball and practice fields.
The plan also involves the construction of new bleachers, a press box and lighting at the football field, as well as a new concession stand, with restrooms. In addition, the project will see the renovation of some existing locker rooms that are used by students for physical education classes as well as visiting athletes.
At W.T. Clarke middle and high schools, turf fields will be added onto the softball, practice and multi-purpose fields. New bleachers and lighting will be installed on the football field, to expand the district’s ability to host events and maximize facility usage. Restrooms will be built in an existing structure at the Clarke High School athletic complex, and synthetic-turf baseball and multi-purpose fields would be installed at the Salisbury School.
Woodland Middle School will see the construction of new turf baseball, softball and football fields, and new bleachers would be installed at the football stadium.
The East Meadow School District presented the bond’s details at school board meetings and hosted several information sessions from November through February. Superintendent of Schools Ken Rosner also shared a presentation with community members, dubbed “Reimagining East Meadow,” which he said had been in the works for about two years. The presentation was available for viewing on the district’s website.
Despite those information sessions, some district residents still felt the bond was not well publicized, resulting in just under 1,600 voters casting their ballots in a community with roughly 40,000 eligible voters.
However, many others responded positively when they found out the bond was approved.
“Glad it passed,” Ann Curran wrote in a Facebook forum started by the Herald, regarding the bond. “Good for the community.”
“As a former Clarke athlete,” Jay Losco added, “glad to see our fields being able to compete with other districts.”
Jeanette Santos previously had shared some thoughts on the bond in a different Facebook thread, writing: “Supporting improvements to our schools and demanding transparency are not mutually exclusive. We can absolutely do both — it doesn’t have to be one or the other.”
After the bond was passed, Santos said, “We need to show up at meetings, ask informed questions, and hold the board accountable. As taxpayers, we should expect regular updates on projected allocations; how contingency funds are being used; (and) transparent progress reports. If we do our homework and actively follow the process, we can help make sure our schools get the upgrades they need while keeping our taxpayers’ interests protected.”
Marisa Morgillo, in an emailed statement to the Herald, commended the school board and administration for their work on the bond. “With only about a ($31) increase per year for taxpayers, it really is a no-brainer when you consider the impact these improvements will have on our students and the future of the district,” she said.
“I voted yes,” Christopher Karoll wrote on Facebook. “I have children in the district and grew up here. The district has been neglecting these fields since I was a kid. The upgrades are necessary to keep pace with the other town’s facilities and reflects the taxes we pay.”
Rosner explained that each year, the school district prepares its annual budget, presents it to the community and taxpayers vote on it in May. It covers operating costs, salaries, supplies, transportation and small-scale building projects.
Bonds allow districts to finance “big-ticket items,” Rosner said, items that cannot be financed in the district’s annual budget.
Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday at district elementary schools.
