Remsenburg-Speonk’s Bond Vote Next Week

On October 23, residents of the Remsenburg-Speonk School District will vote on a bond referendum that would enable the school district to make some repairs and improvements to the elementary school.

The scope of work needed to make the renovations was proposed with a Building Conditions Survey conducted by the district’s architect, and recommendations from the Site-Based Advisory Team.

As regular maintenance for the school continues annually, the bond will fund major repairs and the replacement of equipment that has outlived its life expectancy, impacts safety and security, and is no longer in compliance with current codes. In addition, about 40 percent of the bond will be used to replace the school’s flat and pitched roofing system and its accessories. This will cost a total of $3,365,300, which is too high an amount to be included in the annual budget due to the tax levy cap.

This would also lead to significant impacts on taxpayers and student programs. To reduce these impacts, community-approved capital reserve funds totaling $458,658 will be used to decrease the amount borrowed to $2,906,642. This will help lower the cost to taxpayers with the current average being $87 per year or $7.25 per month.

A community bond forum was held on October 15, directly before the board of education meeting. The scale of the renovations and financial information was shared and open to the public with residents being encouraged to voice their concerns. The bond vote will be held on October 23 from 9 AM to 9 PM at the Remensenburg-Speonk Elementary School. For additional information visit the district’s website at rsufsd.weebly.com.

justin@indyeastend.com