Thank you to the New Hyde Park Illustrated News in providing the public with as much information/facts as possible regarding the Sewanhaka Central High School District bond proposal. There is still important information, however, that has not been made available to the voters. They need to have access to this information so that they can be aware of the financial impact the bond will have on them during the next 20 years.
There are three major questions that the board needs to answer:
•Which projects will be reimbursed by New York State? The 47 percent reimbursement will depend upon approval by the state. The board has not yet been able to identify for voters the projects eligible for reimbursement.
•What is the total amount of interest that will be due on this 20-year $86.6 million bond at 4 percent? If you do the math, the interest is approximately $70 million. That brings the total payout on the bond to $156.6 million.
•How exactly will the funds obtained from the bond be allocated? Voters are entitled to know how their money will be spent. They should be able to decide if all the projects indicated are really necessary, and if this bond is the only means to fund them.
To assist the public, the board needs to present a detailed budget that itemizes, by school, the expenses that will be incurred renovating/expanding infrastruture (roofs, gymnasiums, auditoriums, classrooms, guidance offices);
upgrading, technology and security systems; and refurbishing athletic fields, including installing new synthetic turf fields at the Alva T. Sanforth Athletic Complex.
In addition, the budget should specify a dollar amount to be used as a contingency fund for conditions that were not identifiable in the initial budgetary planning phase.
Christine Grincato
New Hyde Park
