Rye Neck Schools Community OKs Bond Propositions

MAMARONECK, NY — The Rye Neck community voted Tuesday to approve the district’s capital improvement bond referenda. Proposition No. 1 was approved by a vote of 733 to 153. Proposition No. 2 was also approved by the community with a vote of 608 to 278. Board of Education President Patty Nashelsky thanked all the residents who came out to vote.

“Through your approval, we will be able to greatly enhance the educational experience and development of our students. The improvements to our academic and athletic facilities at the combined middle/high school campus will benefit generations of kids and families in our community,” she said in a prepared statement. “We will also be able to make urgent roof replacements at all of our schools.”

The first proposition — roofing improvements — was for $6.28 million. The entire 122,000 square feet of flat roofing at the Middle School/High School campus will be replaced, as well as 10,000 square feet of flat roofing at F.E. Bellows and 12,000 square feet of flat roofing at Daniel Warren.

The second proposition — academic improvements — was for $21.3 million. A new wing will be built to house eight science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics classrooms and lab spaces. A second, smaller gymnasium will be built for Middle School physical education classes and modified sports, and the Performing Arts Center seating will be replaced.

The average combined annual cost to taxpayers, for the first five years of the bond, was $284 for Rye town homeowners and $677 for Rye city homeowners. The estimates are based on the average $835,000 assessment of Rye town homes, which are assessed at full value. For Rye city home, the estimates are based on the average $33,200 assessment of homes, which is equivalent to a full valuation of $2,101,266.

For more information about about the bond proposals, go here.

Photo caption: Artist rendering of new science wing. Photo credit: Rye Neck School District.