Merrick School District Holding Special Forum on Bond Proposal

The Merrick Board of Education will host a special community forum on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to discuss the capital improvement bond referendum that will be presented to the community for vote in early December. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Cub’s Cave at Levy Lakeside Elementary School, located at 21 Babylon Road in Merrick.

The proposed capital project bond referendum will address the need for major repairs and renovations at all schools, the addition of air conditioning in all classrooms and an extension for Chatterton School.

If voters approve the proposal, all three schools within the district would see considerable building improvements, including bathroom renovations, repairs to building masonry, sidewalks and curbing, and additional parking. Air conditioning would be added to all classrooms and learning spaces throughout the district, providing for better temperature control and proper airflow. Furthermore, a 5,800 square foot addition would be built onto Chatterton School to provide for a second multipurpose room and intervention classrooms. Currently, certain academic intervention services are provided in a space that was never intended for student instruction.

The total anticipated cost of the project is $24.9 million. Of this amount, $5 million will be used from the district’s fund balance. The remaining $19.9 million would be funded through a bond. For a home in the district with a market value in the low-to-mid $300,000 range, the annual cost impact would be $76 per year. For a homes valued in the low-to-mid $600,000 range, the increase would be $106.

The district invites all residents to attend the community forum on Oct. 26 to learn about the proposed project. The bond vote will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., at Levy Lakeside Elementary School.

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