District officials are seeking voter approval next month for the construction of a new administration building and a synthetic turf football field with overhead lights.
The district currently leases space for its administrative staff in a building located in the North Country Plaza Shopping Center on Route 25A in Miller Place. But the space is cramped and officials believe they will be able to save money if they construct a new building rather than continue to pay rent, board trustee Michael Unger said.
Under the first proposition, Mr. Unger said, a one-story administration building would be constructed on the north side of the high school property to alleviate the overcrowding. The building would also likely contain attic space for storage of student records, he said.
Superintendent Agatha Kelly said the proposal would cost $3.3 million but would lead to an estimated savings of more than $530,000 over 15 years from what it would cost to continue renting.
"Over the time in 10 years we've been in that building, we've spent $1.2 million in rent," Dr. Kelly said to about 20 residents in the Sound Beach Fire Department meeting room.
The proposal would also include the renovation of a classroom at the high school into a multipurpose room, and the construction of extra parking spaces to alleviate congestion in the high school parking lot.
"I hate to use the word 'no-brainer,' " Mr. Unger said of the proposition. "But it's a no-brainer."
Under the second proposition, a $2 million football field would be constructed outside the high school. It would include four 70-to-80-foot poles each with 18 1,500-Watt luminaries, according to district literature. The field would not only improve the athletic programs, Dr. Kelly said, but also allow students access to the sports fields for physical education classes.
"The concept is for community usage," said Dr. Kelly, noting that the track and field at Rocky Point High School is used by the community during the summertime.
If the field is constructed, there would be a $49,294 budget impact over the life of the 15-year bond, costing the average homeowner about $50 per year, Dr. Kelly said.
Dr. Kelly said approval of the propositions would also lock in a rate of 72.4 percent in state building aid on all site work.
The field proposition can only pass if the administrative building proposal is approved by the voters.
Sound Beach resident Mike Baselice questioned whether the field proposal is a prudent one, given the state of the economy.
"I think you are biting off too much," he said.
Arlynne Schatzkamer-Bleier took a similar stance on the issue.
"We were taught as children to go without," Ms. Schatzkamer-Bleier said. "If it's raining, you can't go out and play. Life is not over."
Still other residents believed the proposal might save the district some money.
Ann Moran said she thinks it's the right thing to do considering the savings and the success seen in other districts, such as Rocky Point.
"Rent just disappears," she said.
peggy@northshoresun.com
Want to learn more?
The bond referendums will be voted on between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. March 2 at North Country Road Middle School on North Country Road. Prior to the vote, the school district will host a community information meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in the high school library. For more information on the two propositions, log on to millerplace.k12.ny.us and click on the link for Board of Education Bond Presentation.