School Officials to Layout Bond Plan at PTA, PFO Meetings

School officials have been hitting parent teacher association meetings at Three Village schools in the past weeks to discuss a $56 million bond, called the Efficiency Project and will present the plan again at meetings next week.

School officials will ask Three Village residents to support the bond that they say is needed to make repairs to aging infrastructure in buildings throughout the district.

The plan includes upgrades to major building systems such as heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electric among other things. The age of buildings in the district range from 42-62 years old.

“There are no wish list items. This is window replacement, asbestos floor tile removal, work that we need to do," according to Jeffery Carlson, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services.

The total anticipated cost of the project is $56.156 million. According to the district, 66 percent will be funded through New York State building aid, which reimburses districts sixty-six percent on the dollar. The cost to the average homeowner in Three Village, according to Carlson is $120 per year or $10 per month.

The plan, according to officials, is best funded through a bond, and not through the general budget. According to Carlson, if the district were to fold these projects into its annual budget, it would cost taxpayers approximately $146 a year, a cost that would likely increase over the years it would take to complete.

A detailed overview of the project, its costs and the bond can be found here.

School officials have been presenting the plan at PTA meetings throughout the district as well as the last tow board meetings. Residents who wish to hear the plan presented can attend the following remaining meetings:

• Monday, Jan. 27 PTSA Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library at Ward Melville High School. 
• Tuesday, Jan. 28, PTA Meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Gelinas Junior High School.