North Bellmore Schools Bond Vote Today

Residents will vote today on an $8.8 million bond referendum being put up by the North Bellmore School District in hopes of financing upgrades and replacements to the district's facilities.

The bond was described by Superintendent Arnold Goldstein at a January board meeting as involving "critical health and safety projects with almost no tax levy to the residents."

Several bond workshops and a bond fair were held and fliers were mailed to every household in the school district. Additionally, PTA members called homeowners with children in the district.

The proposed changes include:

• Replacing boilers in four buildings. The boilers at Park Avenue, Martin Avenue and Saw Mill Road are all 50 years old and the one at Newbridge Road is 30 years old. The boiler replacement at Newbridge Road is going to be the most expensive - $3.6 million - as it involves changing over from a steam system.
• Replacing asbestos floor tiles in all buildings.
• Installing new interior and exterior doors and locks in classrooms, gyms and cafeterias. Most of these are original to the buildings. A new mandating locking system will be installed.
• A major electrical upgrade at Dinkelmeyer.
• Chimney pointing at Martin Avenue.
• Installing fire rated doors at Newbridge Road.

Taxpayers would see an average increase of $7 to $18 per year.

Polls are open until 9 p.m. tonight at Newbridge Road School. For more information, visit the district's Web site.