By Andrew Coen
The Lawrence school board is strongly considering placing a mini-bond before District 15 voters sometime in the next few months to address some of the most critical capital needs in the district's school buildings.
The trustees discussed the mini-bond at its Nov. 16 school board meeting, held at the Number Six School, and plans to vote at the Dec. 21 school board meeting on a resolution whether to to put up the referendum.
District officials project a mini-bond will cost about $11 million to complete the number one and two capital priorities in the district, according to a five-year capital plan completed by the architectural firm, John A. Grillo & Associates, that was presented during the Nov. 16 meeting. To cover all building needs in the district's five-year plan would cost about $27 million.
According to Lawrence Assistant Superintendent for Business Deirdre Gambino, the mini-bond would cost $60 a year for a person with a $500,000 home.
Some of the priorities that would be addressed if a $11 million mini-bond were passed include replacing the roofs at the Number Two, Four and Six schools, replacing the gym ceiling at Lawrence High School, upgrading the elevator at the Lawrence Middle School, replacing the fire escapes at Number Four and expanding the emergency lighting at the middle and high schools.
"It's just scratching the surface of what our district needs, but at least our children will be safe," said school board president Kathy Raquet-Barry.
Other items on the five-year capital plan include reconstructing the high school science labs and art suites, reconstructing the middle school science and home economics rooms, repairing the masonry at the Number Two School, replacing the roofing and the auditorium seating at the Number Five School and completing an electrical service upgrade at the Number Six School. These items would be included if the board opted to put up the $27 million bond.
"This is a small bite," District 15 Director of Facilities Dennis Verriello said of the five-year plan and how much more is also needed to maintain the buildings.
The $27 million bond, which includes all items in the district's five-year capital plan, comprises the same projects proposed in a $20 million bond in 2002 that was rejected twice by voters and has been increased due to rising construction costs. However, about $3.4 million that would go towards fixing up the now-closed Number One School would not be needed if the school board decides to sell the building rather than lease it.
Verriello suggested at the Nov. 3 school board meeting that the board consider a mini-bond since voters soundly rejected the $20 million bond proposal in 2003. The $20 million "nuts and bolts" bond was defeated twice in 2003 by 1,332 and 1,042 votes.
Board members expressed support for trying to pass a mini-bond before the budget vote scheduled for May 17, 2005. "I think we should discuss putting up a bond before even considering a budget," said trustee Anthony Licatesi. "We cannot fund maintenance of our schools through our budget."
"Your talking about very basic infrastructure needs in the bond," said Lawrence superintendent Dr. John Fitzsimons. "We're not talking about luxury items."
Speaking before the Lawrence Association the night following the school board meeting, Fitzsimons also addressed the importance of the district passing a bond or mini-bond "If we don't [pass a bond], we're going to be faced with safety and health issues," said Fitzsimons to about 30 Lawrence Association members. "These building needs don't go away."
Any bond that is put before voters would have to be approved by the board 45 days prior to the vote, according to district officials. The school board meeting, during which the board is expected to vote on a resolution for a mini-bond, is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. at Lawrence High School. A work session meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. at Lawrence Middle School.
Comments about this story? Acoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext 210.
