After working two nights, in front of packed audiences, on what to include and what to omit in the bond to be re-submitted to the public the Herricks School Board came to consensus and voted on a bond in the amount of $24, 268, 513 to be put before the voters on June 27, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The revised bond proposition was drafted just in time to take advantage of the 10 percent Capital Improvement incentive offered by the New York State Education Department deadline of June 30.

The revised bond proposal will include the construction of additions, alterations and/or improvements to all district school buildings including: construction of additions to buildings and interior reconstruction and space reconfiguration to provide new and /or upgraded classrooms and other space, including provisions for an expanded day kindergarten program.

After much discussion about an all-day kindergarten option the board compromised and settled on an expanded kindergarten to include two full days three half-day kindergartens which would require three additional all purpose rooms to be factored into the bond; one at each of the elementary schools. This resulted in a savings of a little over $3 million.

It was debated back and forth between the board whether or not to put the previously proposed all-day kindergarten on a separate proposition and let the public decide. It was also suggested, that along with the all-day kindergarten proposal the libraries for Denton Avenue, Searingtown and the Middle School also be included, as well as the all-weather track.

It was also suggested that there be several propositions for the rest of the items in the proposal, but the board decided against that. The majority felt that it was much more important to present a bond to the public that would include the items necessary for school expansion to accommodate the proposed increase in school enrollment.

It was also decided to include into the bond the replacement of boilers that are needed for an amount of $1,785,950 plus the replacement of windows at the Middle School at an estimated cost of $714,112.

The bond proposition also includes the original furnishings, equipment, machines, apparatus and ancillary or related site and other work required in connection with the project not to exceed the estimated cost of $24,268,513.

The following is the breakdown prepared by Acting Superintendent Dr. Ronald Barnes and given to the board to enable them to reach a consensus conclusion which was what everyone on the board had previously voted to do.

Original Bond Proposal - $39,521,263

Possible Deductions per Dr. Barnes - $14,765,122

Full Day Kindergarten Proposal -$24,756,141

With three small all purpose rooms - $31,383,345

Full Kindergarten with APRS - $26,139,486

A. $56,200 - Denton Primary Entrance

B. $55,200 - Center Primary Entrance

C. $63,250 - Lights/Windows-Searingtown

D. $941,620 - Denton Library

E. $941,620 - Searingtown Library

F. $525,780 - Middle School Library

G. $714112 - Middle School Windows

H. $1,765,950 - Boiler Replacement

I. $457,750 - High School Track

J. $7,046,368 - Three Elementary School APR additions

K. $331,200 - Three APR Storage Rooms

L. $458,850 - A/C Community Center Auditorium

M. $197,300 - A/C Community Center Cafeteria

The proposal for stage reconstruction at the Searingtown School was dropped.

It was stated that the bottom line for this new proposal for voters will be somewhere in the vicinity of about $13 per $100 assessed valuation, but that figure is just an estimate at this time.

Bond counsel representatives were present at the meeting and immediately after the meeting adjourned they went with Herricks Acting District Clerk Linda Steele and prepared the bond proposition for publication in order to meet the deadline.

Voter registration, for those residents who are not yet registered, will be held on June 13 between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park. In addition, registration may also be accomplished on any school day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Administration Building, Shelter Rock Road, New Hyde Park prior to June 20th.

There was a suggestion that revised bond vote only be held at the Community Center, to cut down costs. However, it was decided that it would be too confusing to change the voting at this time so voting will be at the regular voting places residents of the Herricks District are accustomed to voting at. Results will be then be tabulated and announced at the Searingtown School after the polls close at 10 p.m.

The regular school board vote for the budget and for trustees will be held on May 16 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the regular polling places. Results will be tallied and announced after the polls close at the Searingtown School.