District's $23.8M Capital Improvement Plan Fails By 23 Votes

GREENPORT, NY — Residents voted down a bond referendum for the Greenport Union Free School District's proposed $23.87 million capital improvement plan by 23 votes Wednesday.

The final vote was 354 to 331, Superintendent of Schools David Gamberg said. However, the defeat did not symbolize the end of the road for the plans, which include upgrades to the building's aging infrastructure and security enhancements for the district, he said.

"On behalf of our learning community it is very disappointing, but the narrow margin represents a setback, not a final determination," he said. "We will in fact take a very close look at our plans. The Board of Education will meet, gather community feedback, and go back out to the public."

While no exact date has been set, it is likely that the plan would be pitched again to the public in the fall of 2019, he said.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't get enough votes to get the bond passed, but am encouraged by how close the vote was," Board of Education member Kim Swann said. "It tells us that there are a lot of people that understand how necessary this bond is. The Board of Education now has to go back to the drawing board with the knowledge gained and redraw the project. I am disappointed, but not deterred. Our school has amazing kids, great teachers and staff and I will not stop pushing for their health and safety."

Funding for the capital improvement plan, if approved, would have allowed for critical repairs, provided safety and security enhancements, and renovated the building and classrooms with state-of-the-art improvements and learning spaces.

A recent tour of the aging building, which drastically needs upgrades after 86 years, revealed towels under windows to soak up leaking, cracked floors and plaster, aging infrastructure and electrical systems and bathrooms in dire need of a facelift.

For voters, the first proposition included renovation of all student toilet rooms; electrical and heating upgrades, a new marine career and tech shop; a new auxiliary gymnasium; security upgrades to doors, cameras and technology; exterior masonry work; upgrades to interior plaster walls and second and third floor flooring, ceiling systems and lockers; parking lot reconstruction; significant upgrades to the home economics classroom and elementary library; a refurbishment of the NJROTC classroom and upgrades to the art classroom; a cafeteria renovation; creation of a flexible learning space; replacement of outdoor bleachers; upgrades to playgrounds; relocation of administrative offices for security purposes; irrigation and reconditioning of athletic play fields; a new main information sign; upgrades to all locker rooms; and a new PA/clock system to provide mass notification.

A second proposition, contingent on passing of the first proposition, included the addition of a six lane track and the reconstruction of tennis courts.

The bond would have established a Porter marine program focusing on career and technical training in maritime industries. In addition to providing students with career opportunities,
the marine program is meant to ensure the local economy has a thriving and growing maritime industry, the district said.