After months of discussion and weeks of campaigning to the public, the Massapequa School District's proposed $49.9 million bond Issue passed by an overwhelmingly large margin - 2,531 for and 942 against - on Tuesday, Oct 20.

Schools superintendent Dr. James Brucia, school board members and other supporters, left the ballot count relieved and happy that the community came out to support the bond issue which will address a variety of building renovation projects, as well as $10 million worth of technological upgrades.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," said Brucia. "A lot of people did a lot of work to help get this thing through and all of the work paid off. We're very excited. The community supported a project that's going to improve not only the physical structure of the buildings but it's going to improve the educational programs as well."

According to Brucia, while residents are supportive of the district's plan to conduct much needed refurbishment projects on the district's 10 school buildings, the technology portion of the package was an important selling point for the bond issue. He estimated that 4 percent of the $10 million to be used on technology will go to hardware and the remaining 7 percent to electrical systems and satellites needed to support the hardware.

"I think parents responded to that because they realized how important it is to their children to have these [technology] capabilities and with this program . . . our students will be able to compete with anyone." He added that the bond issue included "a significant educational piece."

School Board President Christine Nottonson said the technology program will "give the opportunity for children to go beyond their community, to reach out and see the world on a daily basis" using their computers and Internet capabilities.

The first project being launched by the district will be the refurbishment of the Ames School and the removal of the asbestos in the building, according to Brucia. The building is currently being occupied by Nassau BOCES, however, it is earmarked to reopen in Sept. 1999 as a ninth grade campus.

"Next summer, our plan is to do as many of the roofing and window projects as possible, so we can, as the contractors say, seal the envelope," added Brucia, who said the entire project should take two to three years.

Nottonson predicts the year ahead will be very quick paced as construction projects move into full swing. "I think we as a board have to sit down and talk about how we're going to incorporate the obligations and responsibilities of the project into the daily operation of the school district." She also said they will need to maintain a steady flow of information on the project's progress, to staff, parents and students.

While neither Brucia nor Nottonson are under the illusion that there will be no glitches along the way, Nottonson said the board is confident that construction and architectural companies hired to work on the project are more than capable of handling it.

"The board understanding the magnitude of the job have put into place certain professionals who really will take a lead in the whole project. Turner Construction and Wiedersum Associates are very strong companies in their appropriate fields," said Nottonson, adding that she was not aware of any district on Long Island passing a larger bond issue than Massapequa.

Nottonson also said the board was assured that the construction would cause the least amount of disruption to students as possible.

The bond issue is projected to raise taxes by $8 a month for the average household or under $100 a year beginning between 1999-2000. State aid will cover 63 percent of the total $49.98 million package leaving only 27 percent for residents to pay back over a projected 17 year period.

Meanwhile, Nottonson said although the district had an option on how it would go about addressing the district's needs, the individual projects included in the bond issue are necessary.

"It was important to us that the community understood what we were trying to accomplish and that they understood the impact of it on our system, not only educationally but operationally and that it was really the most fiscally sound approach to address our needs," she said.

"The community should take pride in what was accomplished tonight. I think it's a signal to our neighbors, to their children that education is important . . They want their community to look good and they understood that it was the best approach we could take," Nottonson added.