Schools
Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Presents Proposed Capital Project
The project will provide critical infrastructure updates to the district's seven buildings.
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District presented its proposed capital project, a $49.6 million bond proposal which will provide critical infrastructure updates to the district's seven buildings, to parents and community members on Wednesday.
The district has not sought a public bond vote to repair its facilities since 1966.
"Our buildings are aging rapidly and they are our biggest assets," Superintendent John DeTommaso said. "That is why we put this together."
Through the proposed project, buildings in the district would receive upgrades to electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. There will also be upgrades to security and the schools science rooms and athletic fields.
The following upgrades would be made:
Grand Avenue Middle School
- Upgrades to HVAC system to include dual heat/air capability
- Replacement of roof
- Renovation of all science rooms
- Renovation of all restroom facilities
- Renovation of art and faculty rooms
- Renovation of music suite
- Refinish gym floor
- Renovations for ADA compliance
- Installation of synthetic turf field
- Upgrades to security
- Improvements to exterior of site, including sidewalk replacement and curb repair
- Upgrades to HVAC system to include dual heat/air capability
- Renovation to science rooms
- Renovation of all restroom facilities
- Renovation of music suiteRepair of gym floor
- Renovations for ADA compliance
- Improvements to exterior of site, including sidewalk replacement and curb repair
- Installation of synthetic turf field
- Upgrades to security
- Upgrades to HVAC system to include dual heat/air capability
- Renovation of all restroom facilities
- Renovation of science labs
- Renovation of Calhoun Café
- Replacement of auditorium side curtains
- Renovation of resource room
- Replacement of ceiling tiles
- Installation of synthetic turf field
- Refinish gym floor
- Renovations for ADA compliance
- Improvements to exterior of site, including sidewalk replacement and curb repair
- Upgrades to security
- Upgrades to HVAC system to include dual heat/air capability
- Installation of new water heater
- Renovation of all restroom facilities
- Renovation of science labs
- Renovation of group instruction room
- Renovation of family/consumer science room to support future district-wide gourmet cooking class (eliminating associated BOCES costs)
- Replacement of band room floor
- Installation of synthetic turf field
- Refinish gym floor
- Renovation of visitor’s bleachers (reduction of ½ size) and expansion of home side bleachers
- Renovations for ADA compliance
- Improvements to exterior of site, including sidewalk replacement and curb repair
- Upgrades to security
- Upgrades to HVAC system to include dual heat/air capability
- Renovation of all restroom facilities
- Renovation of science rooms
- Replacement of lockers at lower locker room
- Replacement of auditorium theatrical lighting and sound system
- Installation of synthetic turf field
- Renovations for ADA compliance
- Refinish gym floor
- Improvements to exterior of site, including sidewalk replacement and curb repair
- Upgrades to security
- Renovation of room to support future broadcast communication technology room for district-wide use
- Repair fencing and asphalt
The project, which will be completed in three to four years, will cost the average household $104 annually or $8.67 a month.
At the end of the presentation, parents and community members were able to ask questions and express their concerns on the proposal-- the installation of synthetic turf was the hot topic of the night.
Some said that they did not want the fields installed due to the cost.
DeTommaso called the bond a "facilities bond" and said that its about more than synthetic fields.
"We want the best for everyone in Bellmore-Merrick and we want to reinvest in our kids," he said. "When you invest in kids you change their lives everyday."
Bob Pizzimenti graduated from the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and has children who also attend the district's schools. He said that he is in favor of the project.
"Updating the children's education is the most important thing in this bond," he said. "I graduated from here in 1976 and my desk is still there. Vote the bond down and you are still going to have to pay for it anyway."
On Oct. 7, the Board of Education will adopt a resolution to present to voters. Dec. 2 is the anticipated day to vote.
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