Plainedge School District continued its efforts to promote public awareness about a possible bond proposal last week, with Superintendent of Schools John Richman providing an update about the issue at the most recent board of education meeting.

Richman told a full audience at the Oct. 7 regular business meeting that the district is exploring putting forward an approximately $50 million bond. The measure would primarily fund a new middle school, but would also make possible district-wide improvements, such as in the areas of computer graphics, laboratories, libraries, and fiber optic wiring, as well as full-day kindergarten.

Richman noted that the exploration of a bond issue was prompted by poor conditions at Packard, such as leaks, and the need to either thoroughly renovate or rebuild the school. Because of the poor construction of the building, it would cost almost as much money to renovate it as it would to rebuild it. For example, just to remove all the windows would cost about $2 million, according to the district. Renovation and rebuilding are estimated at $25 million and $40 million, respectively. The other improvements throughout the district are estimated to cost about $10 million.

The district's pursuit of a bond issue has been accelerated by a state building aid incentive. This type of aid is currently at an all-time high, and would give Plainedge a 64 percent reimbursement of the cost of the bond - if the community approves it through a referendum by July 1, 2000. That aid figure is expected to plummet by as much as 10 percent if the bond is not approved prior to July. "It is very important that we move quickly to gain the 10 percent," said Richman. Considering state aid, the annual tax increase associated with the bond would be $318 per year for a home assessed at $6,000, according to Richman.

School Board President Josephine Reder said that if Plainedge does not take advantage of the high state aid ratio, needed projects - such as the new middle school - will cost more to accomplish in the future. She added that many districts throughout Long Island and the state are currently proposing bond issues for needed improvements, in an effort to capitalize on the high aid ratio.

Farmingdale School District, for example, will ask its local voters to approve a $38.5 million bond referendum on Oct. 19. That measure would fund an overhaul of its buildings, and new programs such as full-day kindergarten, as well as alleviate overcrowding.

A vote on a Plainedge bond issue could take place in the spring, but Superintendent Richman noted that further analysis of the district's needs and many state approvals are necessary before that is possible.

The superintendent noted that further information about the possible bond will be available at the Board/Community Dialogue scheduled for Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Packard Middle School. The topic of the program is "The Future of the Middle School," and will feature a tour of the building, as well as discussions of educational needs of today's students, the physical condition of the building, space considerations, whether to rebuild or renovate, and the timing of a referendum. The meeting is open to the entire community, and will feature a question and answer session.

As Plainedge continues to explore the possibility of a bond referendum, the district is also embarking on two studies designed to gauge its needs. An enrollment projections report is being prepared by Western Suffolk BOCES, and is expected to be completed by February of 2000. The agency has done similar studies for districts throughout Long Island, and the report is intended to help administrators predict enrollment growth and maximize use of space. A school survey intended to measure how effective the schools are, as well as the culture and climate of the buildings, will also be conducted. The survey will be sent to parents, teachers, and support staff, and Richman noted that he wants to make it a new annual tradition.