It's been over 18 months since residents in the Elmont Union Free School District voted to approve a $12 million bond referendum to construct additions on to all six schools - Alden Terrace, Clara H. Carlson, Covert Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Gotham Avenue and Stewart Manor - in the district.

Back then, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maria Palandra, made it clear that in response to enrollment numbers that had exceeded the space available for students, the district needed to find a solution to its space problems. The bond passed overwhelmingly in March 1999, with 72 percent of residents voting in favor of it.

What had once been presented as a proposed option to solving the district's space problems is now becoming a reality. The Elmont School District is inviting all residents to a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 14 at noon on the grounds of the Dutch Broadway School. This ceremony will be a symbolic groundbreaking for all the schools, which will all be undergoing construction simultaneously.

According to the superintendent, there are currently 4,146 children in the district. Therefore, the 67,000 square feet of educational space will help the district accommodate a growing student population while improving the quality of education students will receive. Currently, some students still have to attend classes in the basements of schools as well as eat lunch in crowded cafeterias. With the expansion of each school, these conditions will be eliminated, said Dr. Palandra.

According to Dr. Palandra, the planning phases of the construction included the modification of some of the interiors of the school buildings as well as the installation of fences around the construction areas. Modifying the interiors of the buildings in preparation for construction, in some cases, included eliminating certain windows, closing off some rooms and constructing temporary corridors, protection barriers and emergency exits.

Dr. Palandra said she expects excavation at the four sites to begin within the next two to three months. Over the four months after that, little work will be done in the area of actual construction. However, come spring, residents should start seeing the structures. The additions could be completed by August depending on the severity of the winter, according to Dr. Palandra.

"I'm very excited about it. Getting additional classrooms is long overdue," the superintendent said.

The passing of the bond meant each of the schools will be undergoing renovations as follows:

Alden Terrace School

* Two-story permanent addition

* Four new classrooms

* New cafeteria

* New kitchen

* Bathroom facilities

Clara H. Carlson School

* Eight new classrooms

* Cafeteria expansion (using two existing basement rooms for expansion)

* Bathroom facilities

Covert Avenue School

* Five new classrooms

* Cafeteria expansion (using one existing classroom for expansion)

* Kitchen redesign

* Bathroom facilities

Dutch Broadway School

* Two-story permanent addition

* Eight new classrooms

* Cafeteria expansion

* Kitchen redesign

* Bathroom facilities

Gotham Avenue School

* Two story permanent addition

* Twelve new classrooms (minus four portable classrooms)

* Cafeteria expansion (using one existing room for expansion)

* Bathroom facilities

Stewart Manor School

* Three new classrooms

* Bathroom facilities

During the past year, district administrators have been working with Angelo Francis Corva & Associates, architects, and the construction manager to formulate design and prepare plans to submit to the State Education Department. Those plans have been approved and at the August meeting of the board of education, the board awarded the construction contracts for the project.

The project's general contractor is J.M. Dennis Construction Company of Wantagh. Subcontracts were awarded to Ultimate Power, Inc. in West Babylon, Rolands Electric Inc. in Deer Park, Lynbrook Plumbing & Heating, WES Design and Supply Company in Farmingdale and Soil Mechanics Drilling Corporation in Seaford. Frank Marino of Advanced Consulting Corporation in Merrick is overseeing construction for the district.

The board of education has stressed safety for the students since they will be attending school while the buildings are undergoing renovations. Workers will not interfere with students and work will stop if it becomes uncomfortable for students, Dr. Palandra said. Also, work will stop during 12 days in January, February, May and June when state tests are being conducted.