Farmingdale voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide on two bond proposals totaling $78 million to improve school building infrastructure and expand career and technical education and visual and performing arts facilities in the district expand.
If both proposals pass, the average county taxpayer would pay $95 more per year for the first five years, school officials said. Residents would see a $93 annual tax cut in subsequent years 10 years, due to the full repayment of older debts. There would then be a tax increase of $104 per year for the remaining 15 years of the bond.
The approximate tax increase would be $21 a year if only the first proposal — upgrading infrastructure — is approved, school officials said.
Michael Motisi, the district's assistant economic director, said in a statement to the community that state aid would cover more than 55% of the total bond cost, “totaling over $43 million from state sources.”
The first proposal, which will cost about $22.1 million, would fund roof repairs and replacements at the district's six schools. It would also fund modernization of the county's electrical infrastructure. The administration said the district's roofs have exceeded their expected 20-year lifespan and are no longer under warranty.
The second proposal, which is contingent on approval of the first, includes $55.85 million for improvements to the high school's visual and performing arts and career and technical education areas.
If approved, the expanded career and technical education area would allow the district to offer programs such as automotive repair and training for first responders and paramedics. The funds would also fund a new cosmetology lab and hairdressing program, as well as construction courses where students can earn workforce credits for in-demand careers.
The proposed visual and performing arts wing would include larger rooms for the marching bands and orchestra with storage for instruments, as well as new art classrooms.
There are currently nearly 5,200 students enrolled at the six schools and more than 3,800 are considered student musicians or artists, according to the district.
“We are excited to take this step forward and provide our students with the best opportunities to reach their full potential,” Superintendent Paul Defendini said in a statement on the district’s website. “We want to take our CTE and fine arts programs to a higher level and provide our students with more opportunities to pursue their passions and professional interests.”
The second proposal also calls for moving the high school nurses' office closer to the main entrance and creating a larger waiting area – a move that officials say will increase security at the school.
School officials estimated that the visual and performing arts and career and technical education portions of the project could begin next school year, if approved. Completion would take approximately 18 to 24 months.
Tuesday's vote will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the West Gymnasium of Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 70 Van Cott Ave. in Farmingdale.
More information about the bond proposals can be found on the Farmingdale School District website.
Farmingdale voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide on two bond proposals totaling $78 million to improve school building infrastructure and expand career and technical education and visual and performing arts facilities in the district expand.
If both proposals pass, the average county taxpayer would pay $95 more per year for the first five years, school officials said. Residents would see a $93 annual tax cut in subsequent years 10 years, due to the full repayment of older debts. There would then be a tax increase of $104 per year for the remaining 15 years of the bond.
The approximate tax increase would be $21 a year if only the first proposal — upgrading infrastructure — is approved, school officials said.
Michael Motisi, the district's assistant economic director, said in a statement to the community that state aid would cover more than 55% of the total bond cost, “totaling over $43 million from state sources.”
The first proposal, which will cost about $22.1 million, would fund roof repairs and replacements at the district's six schools. It would also fund modernization of the county's electrical infrastructure. The administration said the district's roofs have exceeded their expected lifespan of 20 years and are no longer under warranty.
The second proposal, which is contingent on approval of the first, includes $55.85 million for improvements to the high school's visual and performing arts and career and technical education areas.
If approved, the expanded career and technical education area would allow the district to offer programs such as automotive repair and training for first responders and paramedics. The funds would also fund a new cosmetology lab and hairdressing program, as well as construction courses where students can earn workforce credits for in-demand careers.
The proposed visual and performing arts wing would include larger rooms for the marching bands and orchestra with storage for instruments, as well as new art classrooms.
There are currently nearly 5,200 students enrolled at the six schools and more than 3,800 are considered student musicians or artists, according to the district.
“We are excited to take this step forward and provide our students with the best opportunities to reach their full potential,” Superintendent Paul Defendini said in a statement on the district’s website. “We want to take our CTE and fine arts programs to a higher level and provide our students with more opportunities to pursue their passions and professional interests.”
The second proposal also calls for moving the high school nurses' office closer to the main entrance and creating a larger waiting area – a move that officials say will increase security at the school.
School officials estimated that the visual and performing arts and career and technical education portions of the project could begin next school year, if approved. Completion would take approximately 18 to 24 months.
Tuesday's vote will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the West Gymnasium of Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 70 Van Cott Ave. in Farmingdale.