Schools

How the School Bond Will Affect You

Read on for a breakdown of what both bond propositions would build and how much they would cost the average Riverhead taxpayer

The Riverhead Central School District has released detailed information on , including their cost and what specific improvements would be made to each school under the two propositions.

The first proposition up for vote, a $78.3-million bond, includes improvements to area schools, including a new addition to l, renovated classrooms at most schools and the eliminating portable classrooms at , among other improvements.

State aid will pay for between $26 and $29 million worth of renovation and building costs. The district estimates the average home in the Riverhead Central School District, valued at $280,000, would see an average increase of $176.68 over the next 25 years to pay for the bond. The first two years after approval, 2012 and 2013 would see no increase in taxes, with taxes rising to a maximum of $213.25 for 17 years starting in 2017. Taxes would then drop off to $59.93 by the final year in 2036.

Find out what's happening in Riverheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The second proposition, a $6.9 million improvement, would build an addition to the gymnasium at the high school. The second bond proposition could only be approved if the first proposition passes.

According to district estimates, the second proposition would cost roughly $66 additional dollars for the same average home over the course of 23 years.

Find out what's happening in Riverheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Riverhead residents will vote on the two bonds, which total more than $85 million, on Oct. 11. School officials say the bonds would help improve school classrooms, repair or replace aging infrastructure, move students out of temporary portable classrooms and drive down energy costs with more efficient options.

For full details on what "Proposition 1" would add to each local school, see below:

  • New roofing, doors, boilers and air conditioning units
  • An addition to the school's kitchen with new cooking equipment
  • Renovated small group instruction spaces
  • Upgraded intercom system
  • Upgraded playground base
  • Installation of folding partition in gymnasium
  • Expansion and reconfiguration of parking lots for traffic flow and safety

  • New roofing, doors and boilers
  • New kindergarten/first grade bathroom
  • Renovated small group instruction spaces
  • Upgraded ventilation system, intercom
    system, and ceiling tiles
  • Upgraded playground base
  • Expansion and reconfiguration of parking lots

  • New roofing, doors, boilers and exhaust fans
  • Additional classrooms
  • Expansion of library and cafeteria
  • Renovated computer room and small group instructional spaces
  • Upgraded playground base
  • Expansion and reconfiguration of parking lots

  • Elimination of portable classrooms
  • Additional classrooms, kitchen and cafeteria
  • Addition of elevator to all floors (this improvement would be funded by the Capital Reserve)
  • Renovated main office and small group instructional spaces
  • New heating pipes and air conditioning system
  • Upgraded playground base
  • New roofing, new boiler, masonry and drainage
  • New cafeteria, kitchen and bathrooms
  • Renovated classroom space using old cafeteria
  • Upgraded playground base
  • Renovate annex entrance for handicapped access
  • Expansion and reconfiguration of parking lots

  • New roofing, windows, doors and exterior masonry
  • Additional classrooms, new music & art areas
  • Renovated classrooms for science and family and consumer science
  • Renovated library, main and guidance offices and cafeteria
  • New intercom and theatrical lighting systems
  • Expansion and reconfiguration of parking lots

  • New addition with science classrooms
  • Renovated classrooms for science, art, music, family and consumer science
  • Renovated library and auditorium
  • New roofing, windows, elevator, lockers, intercom system, theatrical lighting and gym bleachers
  • Expansion and reconfiguration of parking lots

For more information on the proposed bond referendum, your voter eligibility, or where to vote, call the district at 631-369-6526. For questions about the tax impact of the bond, the district has set up a hotline at 631-369-6823.


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