The results of a $12 million school bond passed in 1999 to add space to all six elementary schools in the Elmont Union Free School District are taking shape. It was announced at the November board meeting that phase I of the construction is complete and the school is currently undergoing phase II, which calls for setting up the foundations for the new structures.

In 1999, the majority of the voters in the district agreed that the school were in desperate need of space in order to meet increasing enrollment projections. As a result, the Alden Terrace School will be receiving a two story permanent addition, four new classrooms, a new cafeteria and kitchen and new bathrooms. The Clara H. Carlson School will receive eight new classrooms, a cafeteria expansion and bathroom facilities. The Covert Avenue School will receive five new classrooms, a cafeteria expansion, kitchen redesign and bathroom facilities. The Dutch Broadway School will receive a two-story permanent addition, eight new classrooms, cafeteria expansion, kitchen redesign and bathroom facilities. The Gotham Avenue School will receive a two-story permanent addition, twelve new classrooms, cafeteria expansion, The Stewart Manor School will receive three new classrooms and bathroom facilities.

Phase I of the project included getting the school sites prepared for construction. Efforts were made to separate the construction sites from the instruction areas. The construction sites are surrounded by 8-foot fencing and contain separate entrances at each of the schools.

The process of forming foundations is under way. By the middle of December, all foundations should be in. Overseeing the project for the district is Frank Marino of Advanced Consulting Corporation. He said there haven't been any problems yet that would warrant the delay of the project.

In February and March, the structures should be visible and by summer, the interior work should begin. The entire project should be completed by August 2001 in time for the 2001-2002 school year.