Bond Referendum Defeated by Stunning Margin

By Jaime L. Tomeo

The Nov. 23 bond referendum was defeated by the voters of the Farmingdale School District by an enormous margin. Opponents voted against the bond referendum 1,775 to 592.

The total cost of the proposed bond referendum was $49,965,000, plus interest, for the 20-year term of the bond. However, as a result of the district's 47.5 percent state building aid ratio, the state would assume responsibility for approximately $23,733,375 (plus interest) of the cost. The community's share would be approximately $26,231,625 (plus interest).

If approved by the community, the annual tax impact of the referendum on a resident currently paying approximately $5,000 in school district taxes was projected to be $115. For a resident with a current school district tax bill of approximately $7,500, the annual tax impact was projected to be $172.50.

According to a press release from October, Superintendent Dr. Roberta Gerold said "the skill of this district's maintenance personnel is the reason we have been able to keep many of our building systems operating long past their expected life spans. This has saved taxpayers money over the years. However, after close to five decades for some of our schools, the aging process has taken its toll."

John Lorentz, the assistant superintendent for business and finance said that the Facilities Assessment Advisory Committee will have to reconvene and see what is going to happen from here.

"We completed an exit poll to get a feeling from the community," Lorentz said.

Formed in October of 2003 by a group of 32 volunteers, the Facilities Assessment Advisory Committee's main task was to assess the situation in each building in the Farmingdale School District and create a recommendation list.

"It was also to give us a timeline of events, as some of these things wouldn't be done for five years," Lorentz said.

The Facilities Advisory Committee addressed the Farmingdale Board of Education on three separate occasions on their findings.

"Before we could decide what the scope of work to be completed would be, we had to decide just how much money could be spent at this time," an excerpt from their presentation stated. "We learned that the state would pay 47.5 percent of a bond; therefore the bond was the only way to go. We asked for an analysis of how a bond would affect the school taxes. With this information in hand, the committee came to a decision - a bond for less than $50 million."

The Farmingdale Public School District made an extensive effort to inform the community about the referendum. Newsletters and informational postcards were mailed out. Individual PTA meetings and building tours were set up. A public information meeting was also held a week prior to the vote.

The Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale held a regular meeting the Thursday before the vote. Guests speakers included Farmingdale Public Schools Assistant Superintendent John Lorentz and members of the Facilities Assessment Advisory Committee were on hand to address the referendum issue.

"Over the years, the district has included money in the annual operating budget for some capital improvement projects and basic repairs," CCAF executive board stated in a Nov. 12 Farmingdale Observer letter to the editor. "However, after close to 50 years for some of our schools, the aging process has taken its toll."

"In the last two years there has been zero dollars allotted to capital improvements that were submitted to the public in a regular budget," they added during a phone conversation.

A Farmingdale resident and North Massapequa resident whose children graduated from the Farmingdale district both had a similar sentiment regarding the bond referendum.

"It's just not the right time for this," one resident said.

"I understand the repairs need to be made but my taxes are high enough as it is," the other said.

Focusing on Renovations, Repairs

According to the school's website, the district's facilities are 40-50 years old and are still operating with many of the original infrastructure systems - systems that have far outlived their expected life spans. The following replacements, repairs and renovations were included in the bond referendum:

Farmingdale High School

Replacement of original 40+ year-old ventilation systems, including control systems and fresh air exchanges. Replacement of the original 40+ year-old boiler systems. New systems will reduce energy consumption. Replacement and upgrade of ceiling, lighting and asbestos flooring systems in classrooms. Replacement of original window systems to improve the learning conditions and to reduce energy consumption. Upgrade the original electrical system to support the heightened electrical load demands of new technology and building systems. Replacement of original building exterior and interior doors for enhanced security and to reduce energy use. Replacement and renovation of deteriorated exterior wall, brick and steel lintel systems. Site improvements. Continued upgrading of science and art classrooms. Replacement of original non-functioning hallway lockers. Upgrades to the original plumbing systems. Replacement of antiquated school clock system. Rehabilitation of the original pool filtration and dehumidification systems, which have exceeded their useful life.

Howitt Middle School West

Replacement of original 40+ year-old ventilation systems, including control systems and fresh air exchanges. Replacement of the original 40+ year-old boiler systems. New systems will reduce energy consumption. Replacement of and upgrade of ceiling, lighting and asbestos flooring systems in classrooms. Upgrade the original electrical system to support the heightened electrical load demands of new technology and building systems. Replacement and renovation of deteriorated exterior wall, brick and steel lintel systems. Upgrades to the plumbing and roof drainage system. Replacement of the original gym bleachers. Replacement of original non-functioning hallway lockers. Replacement of original building exterior doors for enhanced security and safety and to reduce energy use. Bathroom renovations in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Replacement of original window systems to improve learning conditions and reduce energy consumption.

Howitt Middle School East

Replacement of original 40+ year-old ventilation systems, including control systems and fresh air exchanges. Replacement of the original 40+ year-old boiler systems. New systems will reduce energy consumption. Replacement of and upgrade of ceiling, lighting and asbestos flooring systems in classrooms. Upgrade the original electrical system to support the heightened electrical load demands of new technology and building systems. Replacement and renovation of deteriorated exterior brick and tuck pointing. Upgrades to the original plumbing system. Replacement of the original gym bleachers and lighting. Replacement of original non-functioning hallway lockers. Bathroom renovations and upgrades. Site upgrades to improve bus drop-off/pick-up safety. Expansion of technology and science classroom space.

Woodward Parkway Elementary School

Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School

Northside Elementary School

Albany Avenue Elementary School