Bond Proposal Discussed, Students Honored at Lynbrook BOE Meeting

During the Nov. 12 meeting of the Lynbrook School District’s Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak honored a number of high school students on behalf of the Board and administration.

Additionally, Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Paul Lynch and Bob Cascone of John A. Grillo Architects provided a report on the 2016 bond proposal.

Under the leadership of teacher Michael Kunz, the National Art Honor Society hosted an outstanding Night of the Pumpkins event on Oct. 25, which raised more than $5,700 for the art program as well as Island Harvest. Kunz and students presented a check for $2,850 to Island Harvest representative Elisa Weiss and were congratulated with Owls T-shirts from Dr. Burak.

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The girls volleyball team and coach Stewart Ratzken were recognized for their Nassau County Championship, a first in 23 years. Members of the Board also acknowledged the marching band, which performed at the Newsday Marching Band Festival in October.

The strategic planning update on facilities featured a discussion on the bond proposal being developed for a potential 2016 vote. Dr. Lynch described the components that the strategic planning subcommittee on facilities included, although changes are still being made and other options explored. The potential plan includes a 35,000-square-foot extension at the high school, which would provide additional classrooms while also freeing current space to create more useful instructional and storage areas.

The proposed extension would house a new 650-seat auditorium, new fine and performing arts classrooms, storage space, a boiler room, an elevator and stairs. It would be built out onto the field area of the first floor, which Cascone explained is the most economical and feasible location. Already existing interior space would be repurposed to provide updated instructional and storage space. The nurse’s office would be relocated in order to make space available for a large new science research center. The current auditorium would be converted to multipurpose space and possible resource rooms, and the band class area would be transformed into storage and resource rooms. The library would be renovated to become a more modern digital library/media center. The science wing would be converted into a new robotics lab and STEM learning environment, as well as three larger classrooms.

The plan also includes boiler upgrades at North and South middle schools and air conditioning in the gymnasiums of all three elementary schools. Elevators would be installed at Marion Street and Waverly Park schools, brick pointing would be performed at West End School and windows would be replaced at the Kindergarten Center.

Another presentation on the development of the bond proposal will take place at the PTA Joint Council meeting on Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at Lynbrook High School. The next steps are to establish the fiscal impact and initial project scope, and to begin the environmental review process.

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Submitted by Lynbrook School District