On Monday, Feb. 23, the Carle Place Board of Education approved a $10.9 million bond issue for district-wide capital improvements in three categories: health and safety, instruction and security. The bond will not be issued, however, until Carle Place citizens vote on it on April 19.

If passed, the bond issue will cover many essential capital improvements for health and safety. Some examples of the improvements include: a new roof for the middle school/high school; window screens at the Cherry Lane School and in the cafeterias of Rushmore and the middle school/high school; full-size generators for all three schools; and improvements to the heating and ventilation system at the Cherry Lane School.

Further health and safety improvements include new kitchen equipment for all three schools, a new loading dock and receiving area for the middle school/high school and a new student drop-off area for the Cherry Lane School The district will also pave the roadway behind the bleachers and re-pave the front driveway and student lot in the middle school/high school. The district proposes replacing the cinder track with an all-weather track to be used by the students as well as the community.

For instructional improvements, the district would renovate the locker rooms in the middle school/high school, including the addition of showers. The district would also renovate music and art classrooms in the middle school/high school to meet space needs. At the Cherry Lane School the district will construct a new library media center to recapture classroom space needed as a result of the impact of going to a full-day kindergarten program. This plan would also include a basement for storage.

Also for instructional purposes, the district plans to upgrade the auditoriums in the middle school/high school and Rushmore School. In the middle school/high school, upgrades would be made to the wheelchair lift, the lobby, electrical wiring, sound system and walls. At Rushmore the district would replace the worn and splintered auditorium seats with plastic ones, replace the sound system and install acoustic treatment. The facilities are also shared by the community.

Security measures include the installing of a new security system, replacing the perimeter and some interior fencing.

A facilities committee, consisting of 12 community volunteers, was formed in January 2003 to evaluate the condition of district facilities and to specify and prioritize the work that needed to be done. They also reviewed financial elements and determined potential costs and timelines for the Carle Place Schools. The members submitted a report to the board of education in July, making recommendations for what work should be done.

Bond updates are posted on the Carle Place School District website www.cps.k12.ny.us where residents can submit questions and receive responses. For more information, contact Carle Place Public Schools at 622-6441.