New Rochelle School Bonding Initiative Comes Up Short

The New Rochelle School District’s $50 million capital bonding initiative was defeated at the polls Tuesday in a close vote, according to unofficial results.

A total of 1,444 votes were cast in favor of the plan, which called for repairs and upgrades to the district’s 10 schools, but 1,479 votes opposed it.

The defeat was a frustrating one for school officials, who had pulled out all the stops in trying to persuade voters to support the referendum, including posting several YouTube videos explaining the initiative’s merits.

The projects in question included roof repairs, ADA improvements, window replacements and electrical and plumbing upgrades, among other plans.

“The District will determine next steps related to these projects within the earliest possible timeframe,” officials wrote in a statement.