Voters approve $39M bond referendum for Harborfields schools
Voters in the Harborfields school district approved the plan by a vote of 813-171 Tuesday, according to local authorities who had pegged the annual cost to the average homeowner at approximately $262.
Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Work is expected to begin in the summer of 2025 on more than $40 million worth of school building upgrades in the Harborfields district, following the overwhelming approval of a bond issue, a district spokesperson said Wednesday.
The plan to borrow $39.2 million passed by a vote of 813-171 Tuesday, according to local authorities who had pegged the annual cost to the average homeowner at approximately $262. Officials added that about 55% of total costs will be reimbursed by the state.
The entire project cost will be about $41.2 million, with $2 million coming from the district’s capital reserve fund, officials said.
The bulk of the proposed project consists of roof replacements and repairs at the four schools, according to a news release from the district. To illustrate the need for upgrades, the district prior to the vote had displayed photos of water pools collecting on roofs.
In addition, there will be repairs of masonry, sidewalks, asphalt paving and curbs, with door-ajar sensors installed for added security.
"Thank you to all residents who took the time to vote on this project and offer their input over the past several months," said Rory Manning, the district's superintendent. "We will continue to keep the community updated on the progress of the projects as we move forward."
A district plan calls for completing projects in three phases over three summers from 2025 to 2028.
The district’s school board president, Christopher Kelly, said the bond issue totaling $39,154,032 had been discussed at two community forums in the fall and at other meetings, and that the district had provided a capital-project email address where residents could post comments.
Here are highlights of other planned improvements provided by the district:
- At Harborfields High School, auditorium seating will be replaced, stadium lights installed and air conditioning added at the south gymnasium. Also in the plan, two tennis courts and the outdoor track will be replaced, and some student bathrooms will be renovated. Several classrooms and the student courtyard are listed for improvements.
- At Oldfield Middle School, the outdoor track will be replaced and fenced. Two music rooms will be renovated, parking lot gates installed and tennis courts repaired.
- At Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School, security fencing and parking lot gates will be added, interior doors replaced and new playground equipment installed. An asphalt basketball area will be added and classrooms will be enhanced.
- At Washington Drive Primary School, work will include installation of additional parking, playground equipment and parking lot security gates.
Harborfields enrolls about 2,760 students from the communities of Centerport and Greenlawn.
With Robert Brodsky
John Hildebrand is Newsday's senior education writer and has covered school news and policy issues affecting Long Island for more than 40 years.
