South Country Voters Approve Use Of Capital Reserve Funds

BELLPORT, NY — Voters in the South Country Central School District on Tuesday approved the use of the capital reserve fund to pay for several projects, including $1.25 million in security upgrades, district officials said.

The measure was passed 343 to 88, a district spokeswoman said.

Residents' votes were required to use the fund, which was established in May 2016, school district officials said.

Proposed district-wide upgrade projects now approved include the $1.25 million security door access system upgrade and $553,500 for security cameras.

The new turf field, which will cost $780,000, needs to be replaced because it is "near the end of its useful life," officials said.

The vote also concerned the replacement of handrails and interior doors at the high school that will cost $20,000 and $8,000, respectively.

Paying for the projects with capital reserve funds means there will be no cost to taxpayers and the district will receive reimbursement from the state in the form of building aid for a portion of the project costs, according to school district officials.