The East Meadow community got its first look at a long list of capital improvements that may be coming down the pipeline.
A presentation by Superintendent of Schools Ken Rosner at the Nov. 12 school board meeting, dubbed “Reimagining East Meadow,” has been in the works for about two years, Rosner explained, and focused on a myriad of building improvements and construction projects around the East Meadow School District.
“Building improvement projects are planned collaboratively with the district administration, parents, teachers, staff — with support from district architects and the new project manager that we have brought on to address both current and future needs,” Rosner said at the meeting, held at the Salisbury Center.
Every year, the school district prepares its annual budget, presents it to the community and votes on in May. It covers operating costs, salaries, supplies, transportation and small-scale building projects, Rosner explained. Funding for that budget comes from various sources, including state and local property taxes and federal grants. Over the last few years, budgets that have passed have allocated funds towards certain projects around the district, on a schedule that Rosner and district administration cannot amend.
“You, the community, approved that,” he explained. “For the most part, we’ve been going through and checking every single project that was promised to the community by vote, and we’re making sure everything is complete.”
The projects outlined in last week’s presentation are for “large scale building projects and major renovations,” that cannot be approved in May, Rosner said, referring to them as “big ticket items.” Funding for the capital improvements, he shared, would require a bond — which would also need voter approval.
“The bond is simply a means of a school district to borrow money, as you would a mortgage — you pay it back, principal and interest, through a certain number of years, usually 15 or 30,” he said.
Projects outlined included safety vestibules at schools, which would be a major, positive security addition. “This is very, very important,” Rosner said. “It’s really at the top of the list. We have spoken about this many times. This is the first line of defense in a school, where parents or teachers and kids are entering.”
Another improvement included new Public Address Sound Systems. Rosner said the district may be able to include this in May’s budget vote for elementary schools, but the secondary schools — East Meadow and Clarke High School, and Woodland and Clarke Middle School — would be much more expensive.
“It’s a very big concern for me,” Rosner said. “That is the brains of the lockdown and lockout system, and the ability of classroom teachers to call the main office, and the main office to communicate in each of our classrooms. Right now, we’re working off old technology, and if we’re going to — over the next five to 10 years — grow into some of these security systems that are out there, then we have to start with this, and that’s why I’m putting it as part of a potential bond.”
The bond would allow for a refresh and rework of major athletic fields at secondary schools and revamped playgrounds at elementary schools. While some projects enhance aesthetics, improvements to bleachers — such as the ones at East Meadow High School — are essential for safety. Rosner also highlighted potential improvements for high school locker rooms, as well as auditoriums.
“It’s all about the children,” he said. “It’s always about the children. It’s about our community. And I feel really good about where we are with the first stages of talking about the bond.”
Rosner added the district didn’t “go rogue” on anything — recommendations for projects were derived from a building conditions survey, which guides priorities.
Several board members had questions following the presentation, including Trustee David Carl, who was curious about what staff engaged in the process for determining district needs. Depending on the project, Rosner said his team worked with building principals and administrators, athletic directors at individual schools, and department chairs. Outside of the district, they collaborated with tax consultants, a bond council and experts in the field, allowing district administrators to make informed decisions.
“The discussions have just started,” Rosner said, “but I think overall, we have engaged with people who have intimate knowledge of each of those areas.”
Nancy Widman, another trustee, asked about community engagement.
“Obviously, we have community residents who don’t have children in the district,” she said. “How are we going to keep them updated and apprised of what’s going on with the process, and get them on board with this for our school district?”
Rosner said conscious steps were taken to ensure news about the process was shared. A meeting notice was placed in the Nov. 6 edition of the East Meadow Herald, and he’s developing a mailer that will go to all homes in the East Meadow School District.
While absolutely nothing is final, Rosner said, some numbers for a potential bond are coming in around $50 million. He emphasized, however, that many additional meetings and conversations need to be had — with stakeholders, district staff, and community members — before anything is finalized.
The district plans to host a series of forums to gather feedback from staff and families, scheduled for Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at East Meadow High School, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at W.T. Clarke High School, and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Salisbury Center.
Rosner reminded the community that they are always welcome to reach out to him.
“You will always get an answer,” he said. “I cannot stress that enough. You have open access to the superintendent, and it’s really important for the success of the community to communicate with me as much as you can.”
A recording of the presentation from Nov. 12 is available on the district’s YouTube channel. For more information, and to learn about upcoming board meetings, visit EMUFSD.us.
