Center Moriches residents will vote next week on $20 million in bond proposals

Center Moriches school district residents will go to the polls on Tuesday to vote on a pair of bonds that would fund up to $20 million worth of improvements at the district's schools.

The school board has proposed an $18.85 million bond for infrastructure repairs at Clayton Huey Elementary School and the district's middle and high schools.

The improvements would add elementary school classroom space and enlarge outdated high school and middle school science labs that cannot support the curriculum, officials said.

The board also is asking voters to approve a $1.05 million bond for a synthetic turf field at the high school. The second bond would take effect only if both propositions are approved, district officials said.

District officials said they expect state aid to cover about 62 percent of the projects' costs.

The first proposition, if approved, would increase taxes by $189.68 per year, or 2.7 percent, on the average district home with an assessed property tax value of $2,700. The two propositions combined would raises taxes by $203.42 per year, or 2.9 percent, on the average home.

Planned projects at the elementary school include reconstruction of classrooms, health and safety improvements, plumbing and masonry upgrades, replacement of windows and floors, and new heating and ventilation. At the high school and middle school, a new science technology wing would be added, the roof would be partly replaced, tennis courts would be renovated, air conditioning would be added to the auditorium, and interior door hardware would be installed.

Officials said they would install the synthetic turf field only if it meets safety standards.

The projects were based on recommendations developed over the past two years by an architect and residents on a district facilities committee, officials said. Voting is 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Clayton Huey Elementary School, 511 Main St.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.