By Andrew Coen
Voters in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District approved the $24.9 million referendum, giving the district the go-ahead to institute what school officials describe as critical repairs to the Woodmere Middle School after years of neglect following the defeat of three previous bond proposals. The referendum, which would set aside 90 percent of the funding for improvements to the middle school, passed by a vote count of 2,045 to 1,058.
"We look forward to modernizing the Woodmere Middle School," said Hewlett-Woodmere superintendent Dr. Les Omotani after the results were announced. "We're just very appreciative of everyone's support."
The approval gives the school district the green light for a massive upgrade to the 45-year-old middle school building, including replacement of the roof, windows, ceilings, light fixtures and building exterior, as well as a refurbishment of classrooms and a reconfiguration of the main entryway to improve traffic flow for school buses and cars. A new gymnasium will also be constructed allowing the old gym to be used as an alternative to expensive temporary classrooms during construction, and a new synthetic FieldTurf athletic field is slated to be installed. The school's auditorium is also scheduled for renovations.
"The work approved will go a long way to repair our infrastructure, provide a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff, enhance the educational setting and increase community access to district facilities," said Hewlett-Woodmere school board president Howard Weinick in a prepared statement.
The approval of the referendum follows three defeats of previous proposals, in 2000 and twice in 2002, that would have seen a new middle school built.
Hewlett-Woodmere officials said they would have preferred a new middle school, but estimated the cost to be at least $62 million and such a proposal would have posed a greater risk for failure at the polls. Officials estimate the ultimate tax implication of the referendum to be less than $1 per household mainly as a result of the district's ability to pay off the remaining portion of a 1992 bond to renovate Hewlett Elementary School.
"The school needs to be repaired," said Woodmere Middle School parent Dr. Mark Rosenkirnz after casting a yes vote at the Woodmere Education Center. "It really needs it badly."
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