The Island Trees School District held a public session last Wednesday, Oct. 17 regarding a proposed bond to refurbish areas within the district. The board of education voted on Oct. 24 to decide whether or not to ask residents of the Island Trees School District to vote on the bond in December. (Editor's Note: Levittown Tribune production took place before this vote and we will report on the outcome of this vote in next week's issue)

Superintendent of Schools Richard N. Segerdahl told residents at the meeting that this bond issue includes very specific items, including repairing the tennis courts at the high school, renovating the high school auditorium, replacing the high school track, removing the asbestos floor tile in classrooms of both Stokes and Sparke Elementary Schools, replacing hallway ceiling tile and lighting in both elementary schools and replacing the roof in Karopczyc Elementary School, which also houses the public library.

Segerdahl, who first explained the need to complete this work to residents at the Sept. 12 board of education meeting, said that many of the items included in the proposed bond have not been addressed since the construction of some of the schools. The high school auditorium, which was constructed in 1957, contains all of the original lighting and furnishing. The hallway ceilings and the asbestos floor tile in classrooms at Stokes and Sparke have been in the schools since the early and mid 1950s. In addition, although the roof at Karopczyc, which began leaking recently, had a 10-year warranty, it was installed 17 years ago.

At the meeting, which allowed residents to address their concerns to the board and superintendent, Segerdahl explained the necessity of these items, adding that now is the best time to go forth with the bond since state aid will likely be high.

"There's a time frame here," Segerdahl said. "The reason I'm asking for the December vote is because if it is not passed by the public [at that time], some projects [may have to] be included in the regular budget."

Segerdahl added that he does not feel this would be fair to residents of the community. "The district cannot ask the taxpayers to pay for large capital items out of current budget," he said. "It is not fair that the current residents should pay for expenses such as a newly renovated auditorium that will be used by many students over the next 45 years. The cost of such projects should be spread out over a 15 to 20 year period."

Segerdahl added that borrowing money would be less costly now. "If we need to accomplish these projects we should take advantage of the low borrowing rate that is presently available. We also must factor in the building aid ratio that is presently available to Island Trees. Presently, under current law, Island Trees capital projects are approved at a 58 percent aid ratio." Segerdahl further explained that Governor Pataki is looking to reduce or possibly eliminate building aid, and that the school district should take advantage of the aid that is currently available since it may not be available in the near future.

"I think it's very important to take advantage of an opportunity [like this] when it is before you," Segerdahl said. "We can't promise that the aid will actually come through, that's why the package is being presented both ways. In the future, it is my concern that the aid factor will no longer be available. These projects are representing things that need to be done in the district, and if they are not done now, they will be more costly in the future. We're trying to keep it as low as possible but also an effort to maintain our buildings in the most economical way possible."

At the meeting, Segerdahl showed residents pictures of the various areas throughout the district that need work, in addition to plans of what the renovations would look like. While showing photos of the high school auditorium, he explained that the floor tile near the entrance would need to be removed and replaced. Segerdahl added that the lighting system in the auditorium is very outdated and much of it is inoperable. If the bond passed, the current lighting system would be replaced with a technologically advanced computerized system. In addition, the new lighting system would conserve more energy.

The seats in the auditorium would also be refurbished, not replaced. The district opted not to replace all the seats since they would have to meet new ADA standards, which would cause the school to lose approximately 20 percent of the auditorium's capacity. Segerdahl explained that the district would meet all handicap regulations by refurbishing the seats as opposed to replacing them, but would not lose use of the much needed space of the auditorium. In addition, the project would include a full air conditioning system for the auditorium.

Some residents at the meeting expressed concern that the asbestos floor tiles hadn't yet been removed from all classrooms throughout the district. Segerdahl explained that asbestos has been addressed on an as-needed basis throughout the district, such as when the tile has become loose. Architect John Grillo, who has worked with the district on many projects, explained that asbestos that is untouched does not pose a threat.

Residents also questioned the need for new tennis courts, since the district does not have a tennis team. Segerdahl explained that in order to have a tennis team, there would need to be four tennis courts available for team play. He added that while the district does not have a tennis team and does not have the capacity for one, students use the courts during school hours for physical education activities and community residents often use them in the afternoons, nights and weekends.

"The courts cannot be used in their present condition," Segerdahl said. "There are several cracks and uneven pavement on [them]."

Segerdahl explained that the high school track is in desperate need of repair. "We are one of the few districts left on Long Island with a cinder track," he said, adding that the track provides another physical education activity for students, which is especially important since in two years there will be approximately 200 or more students at the high school.

The proposed new track would be able to withstand all weather and would be much smoother than the rigid cinder track. Segerdahl added that the maintenance of the current track on a regular basis actually proves to be more expensive in the long run than replacing the track altogether.

According to Grillo, the new lighting fixtures in the hallway ceilings at the elementary schools would not only provide the schools with better lighting but would also be more energy efficient than the current lighting.

To pay for these projects, the district estimated that it would need to take out a $3.5 million bond, costing residents an average of $15 a year (or $1.25 a month) with state aid and $36 per year ($3 per month) without. The board of education voted this past Wednesday to decide whether or not to ask residents to vote on the bond on December 11.