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    Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education adopts resolution for capital improvement bond project; community vote set for Jan. 14

    At its Oct. 28th business meeting, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District’s Board of Education adopted a resolution to proceed with a community vote on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, on the financing of comprehensive capital improvements through a bond referendum.

     

    “The proposed projects center on expanding building space for the steady increase in student enrollment the District has seen over the past several years, as well as making needed basic infrastructure upgrades throughout the District,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary O’Meara. “The proposed work aims to create larger instructional spaces, learning environments that support the comprehensive programs offered our students, air conditioning to cafeterias and gymnasiums in all seven school buildings, and infrastructure improvements outlined in the District’s building condition survey report.”

     

    Residents will vote on two separate propositions. Proposition No. 1 includes a series of districtwide projects designed to address growing student enrollment and the need for additional instructional space in buildings that are currently used for instruction. Improvements also focus on critical infrastructure improvements at all buildings and optimizing the use of field space.

     

    Specifically, approval of Proposition No. 1 would allow the District to increase instructional space by 25,000 square feet and increase the cafeteria capacity by 50% at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School as well as a 4,750 sq. ft. addition at Judy Jacobs-Parkway Elementary School with outdoor access to the bathroom from the field. This is in response to an 8.7% growth in student enrollment in the District since 2018,  and based on future enrollment trends.

     

    Proposition No. 1 also calls for the installation of air conditioning in gyms and cafeterias throughout the District, athletic field upgrades, and a new performing arts center that accommodates the increased number of students involved in the various music and theater programs. Each project included in Proposition No. 1 can be found on the District’s website, www.pobschools.org.

     

    Proposition No. 2 includes funding for infrastructure improvements to the District’s Jamaica Avenue building which currently houses a variety of District and community-based programs. These improvements would enable Jamaica Avenue to be used as an instructional building for students. It is important to note that Proposition No. 2 can only be approved if Proposition No. 1 is approved by voters.

     

    The total cost of Proposition No. 1 is $99.5 million to be financed through a bond. The total cost of Proposition No. 2 is $14.4 million, also to be financed through a bond. Assistant Superintendent for Business, Dr. Christopher Dillon notes, “With the District maintaining its AAA Bond Rating, the District is in an excellent position to receive the most competitive rates.” Preliminary estimates suggest that the annual cost to the average taxpayer for Proposition No. 1 would be approximately $450 a year, or $37.50 a month. The estimated total cost to the average taxpayer if both Propositions No. 1 and No. 2 are approved is approximately $549 a year, or $46 a month.

     

    Over the next several months, the District will share more detailed information with residents regarding the bond proposal. Community presentations are planned for the Monday, December 2nd and Monday, December 16th scheduled Board of Education meetings, beginning at 7:45 p.m., located at 106 Washington Ave. in Plainview. There will be a virtual town hall on December 9th at 7:00 p.m. and bus tours offered on January 4th. An in-person bond workshop will be held on Monday, January 6th in the H.B. Mattlin Middle School Library.

     

    “We thank the POB Bond Committee comprised of PTA, teachers, administrators, and community members who gave their time last spring and summer to learn about the growing student enrollment, the instructional space needs, and facility upgrades that will ensure our students are learning and growing in optimal environments. We encourage all members of our community to actively participate in the informational events planned before the bond vote,” said Dr. O’Meara.

     

    The vote will be held on Tuesday, January 14th. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. at Jamaica Avenue School and the Administration Offices at H.B. Mattlin Middle School.

     

    All information related to the bond referendum, including a detailed list of all projects and associated costs, can be found on the district’s website, www.pobschools.org.