The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District’s Board of Education met Nov. 18 for a wide ranging session that highlighted student accomplishments, ongoing facility upgrades and an extensive financial update on the district’s long term capital project. The meeting also featured a celebratory moment for the district’s business and finance leader and a lively performance by student actors from James H. Vernon School.
Superintendent Francesco Ianni opened the evening by reporting that students across all buildings were “doing very well” as the district approaches the Thanksgiving break. Here are three things to know from the meeting.
District celebrates civic traditions and athletic achievements
A portion of the meeting showcased the accomplishments of Oyster Bay students in academics, athletics and the arts. Ianni recognized four high school athletes who competed in the New York State Class C Cross Country Championships.
Students across the district were also recognized for their participation in longstanding cultural and civic traditions. Second graders from Theodore Roosevelt School visited President Theodore Roosevelt’s grave on his birthday.
Students sang “America the Beautiful” and listened to a historical presentation about Roosevelt and his connection to the community.
Gymnasium renovations highlights and survey on old banners
The board received an update on a series of building improvements completed or underway across the district. Ianni presented before and after images of Oyster Bay High School’s gymnasium, which recently received a full repainting and a complete overhaul of its athletic banners.
New banners have been installed and a community survey remains open through Dec. 12 to gather feedback on what to do with the older banners that were removed.
As of the meeting, 31 responses had been submitted. The superintendent said the district is reviewing the accuracy of all championship listings to ensure the new displays are historically complete.
District provides update on bond projects and tax stability
Ianni reviewed the history of the roughly 30 million dollar bond approved by voters in 2020, explaining how the district aimed to maintain stable annual debt service payments to avoid volatility in the tax levy.
He outlined the rationale for bonding at a fixed amount instead of at variable rates and described how early interest and principal payments helped reduce the eventual size of the final bond issuance.
Through savings generated during construction and payments already made on bond anticipation notes, he claimed the district ultimately bonded 24.5 million dollars rather than the full voter authorized amount.
