The Glen Cove Board of Education meeting of Monday, Oct. 6 was preceded by a public hearing to discuss the administration's proposed bond referendum in the amount of $13.9 million. Should the board accept the proposal, the referendum would then be put up for a public vote, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9.

To those who regularly attend board meetings, notably the two most recent ones, the presentation given by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Larry Aronstein was basically a déjà vu experience, as it reiterated what the superintendent has designated as the "total lack of maintenance and repair for decades" of the physical plant that is the Glen Cove School District and its subsequent state of extensive disrepair.

With a somber demeanor, Dr. Aronstein began his remarks referencing the current economic crisis facing our nation, calling it the worst financial situation since 1929. "It saddens me to ask the community to provide for additional funds for buildings and grounds at this time," he said. "In fact, there couldn't be a worse time." However, he noted, most of the buildings have not had major repairs and renovations since they were first built, with Gribbin School, the newest building, built in 1966. "It is absolutely essential that we make these repairs," he stated.

Dr. Aronstein repeated the fact that the Glen Cove School District is currently the only district on Long Island with no outstanding debt, the last bond issue being passed in 1988. This is to the district's advantage, and a bond could be obtained with a rate of approximately 4.5 percent interest over 15 years, with 27.3 percent returned through state aid.

Dr. Aronstein has previously stated that with the current economic downturn, "state aid could certainly be cut big time next year," leaving the district with less discretionary funds and forcing it to do without capital improvements "for a number of years."

The superintendent reiterated the findings of a 1992 district facility plan, which had identified 22 priority items that needed addressing, with currently just five of those items fulfilled, all within the past five years. He explained again the findings of the 2007-2008 Capital Deficiencies Advisory Committee, appointed to assess and prioritize capital needs of the district as well as the committee's recommendations to the aim of improving safety, avoiding further deterioration and establishing adherence to building codes.

The debacle of the leaking Glen Cove High School roof, especially in the gym, has been covered extensively in the Record Pilot, as well as personally experienced by numerous parents, team players, staff, administration, contractors, the roofing manufacturer, and local residents. While this is the most obvious and timely piece of evidence of needed repairs, it is hardly the only issue in question.

Proposed capital projects would include work at all school buildings, some much more than others, as well as repairs at the Carriage House and Thayer House, and extend from roofs to floors to air conditioning to kitchens at Deasy and Landing schools. Currently, students of those schools are served lunch which is prepared at the middle school and transported to the elementary schools.

Another item addressed was the antiquated science labs. "Those of you who attended Glen Cove High School should visit the science labs," Dr. Aronstein told the public. "You'll find much of the same equipment that was there when you were students." In addition to the high school labs, the bond would allow for one state-of-the-art science lab in the middle school, for all classes to share.

There is no sufficient security system in the elementary schools, the superintendent added; the high school and middle school have been fitted with complete security over the last two years. Boilers have been inspected and found to be rusted and generally "in horrendous condition," said Dr. Aronstein, making the timely suggestion that they might make for "very scary" Halloween ornamentation.

The proposed improvements would also allow for the district to become ADA compliant, particularly with the renovation of bathrooms. A proposal for an elevator at Gribbin School would allow a disabled student to attend the Gribbin/Connolly pairing of elementary schools, as Connolly School had an elevator installed this past year.

Dr. Aronstein stated that the longer repairs and renovations are put on hold, the worse the facilities will become, and the cost of repairs will only increase. Anyone interested in touring the school facilities is welcome to do so, and should call the superintendent's office at 759-7217 for an appointment.

In summary, Dr. Aronstein said that the $13.9 million bond would be spread over 15 years (the maximum amount of time allowed by law, according to Assistant to the Superintendent for Business Kevin Wurtz) at an interest rate of approximately 4.5 percent (a low rate, as the district has no current debt and, therefore, good credit), with 27.3 percent being returned to the district from state aid, bringing the total cost to the taxpayer of $10.1 million, or $101 per year per homeowner. "There is no joy in asking taxpayers to cough up more money," concluded Dr. Aronstein, "But the only responsible thing to do is to ask for the bond to pass." The members of the board of education will consider their decisions and vote on the bond issue at the next BOE meeting, Monday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. at Deasy School.

A complete list of capital improvements catalogued by the Capital Deficiencies Committee, from which proposed repairs and renovations have been culled, can be found on the Glen Cove School District website: www.glencove.k12.ny.us.

While board members had comments to make, board president Dr. Kurt Schmeller suggested that their discussion be held at the next meeting, prior to the vote, and that the floor be opened to the public.

Not many comments were made, but three notable speakers received rounds of applause.

Nancy Fender declared that it is the job of the district to invest in our children. "They are our future," she said. She recounted how her children would tell her they did not want to eat or drink anything in school, for fear they would "have to use the bathrooms." She called the locker rooms an "embarrassment," a word stated often during the renovation discussions. Ms. Fender also defended the suggestion of the administration to install air conditioning at the Wunsch Center, which Dr. Aronstein has called "a centerpiece of the community," stating that with current environmental conditions, added to the possibility of opening the auditorium to the public for additional events, she would consider air conditioning a necessity. "I know we are in a bad financial state," she concluded, "but not to invest now will result in more costly investments in the end."

Donna Brady remarked that she has had four children schooled in the district, and that some of the problems that still exist were issues 18 years ago, and may have been going on longer than her experience. "All of these issues are critical," she said, "and have been discussed year after year. There can be no more picking and choosing. Yes, the financial situation is bad, but the school [district] is an embarrassment," she said.

Zefy Christopoulos said, "I have been coming to board of education meetings for 18 years waiting for things to happen and now we're finally getting somewhere." She pointed to the improvement of academic scores of the district, with a nod to Dr. Aronstein, and said it is now time to address the physical condition of the facilities. "I have lived through contingency budgets and have seen the physical plant deteriorate. Enough!" she declared. "It's time for Glen Cove to prove we care about our students and staff. It is our time to shine ... other districts can do it; why can't we?" All that matters, she said, are students, staff and education.

Ms. Christopoulos suggested each board member "make believe the kids in these buildings are your own ... because they are. Every child is each of ours."

As to the ongoing leaking roof saga, Ms. Christopoulos commented that it was despicable and an embarrassment that the district had to cancel "a volleyball game ... an indoor sport ... because of rain."

"Enough!" she repeated, adding, "There is empirical evidence that the roof needs to be replaced ... it leaks!"