Rye Neck Schools Set Bond Vote

MAMARONECK, NY — Voters in the Rye Neck Union Free School District will go to the polls Feb. 13 to decide whether to approve two bond proposals totaling more than $27.6 million. The district’s Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution at its Dec. 20 meeting to present a bond proposal to the community for a vote. The proposal addresses what school officials say are urgent district-wide roof replacements that will address the aging infrastructure, as well as renovations that will meet contemporary standards of high-quality educational programs and provide expanded learning opportunities to students.

The proposal consists of two stand-alone propositions, according to a district proposal. The first proposition, at approximately $6.28 million, includes safety improvements by replacing the flat roof sections at each of the district’s buildings. The middle and high school roof, which covers more than 100,000 square feet, is a 23-year-old structure that needs to be completely replaced.

Daniel Warren and F.E. Bellows elementary schools have smaller flat roof sections that are also more than 20 years old and are due for replacement. The proposed work will prevent collateral building damage due to roof failure, as previously experienced in the middle and high school building.

The second proposition, at approximately $21.33 million, will address the need to expand and upgrade the district’s outdated and overcrowded facilities due to increased enrollment and insufficient space. It will also address the need for modern, flexible and collaborative classroom and laboratory spaces that can accommodate high-quality science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics educational programs.

The proposition includes the addition of eight classrooms at the middle school and high school campus, which will be housed at a new two-story Collaborative Science Center. The expansion would enable current makeshift classrooms to be returned to general use, easing space shortages throughout the campus. The proposition also includes the expansion of the athletic facility by creating a new middle school gymnasium and locker rooms, which allow middle school and high school students to have separate facilities.

The project is the result of the district’s thoughtful consideration of the impact on the community, officials said, as well as extensive research and planning by the district’s Facility Advisory Committee and input from the community.

Residents are encouraged to visit the district’s website for detailed information on the proposal or click here. The district has scheduled to hold bond hearings on Jan. 10, Jan. 24 and Feb. 7, in addition to other meetings and scheduled building tours.

The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rye Neck High School Community Room.

Photo credit: Rye Neck Union Free School District.