Port Jefferson School District Residents Vote Down $24.9M In Bond Proposals

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Port Jefferson School District residents decided against a total of about $24.9 million in bond proposals for two capital bond projects on Monday.

The proposal had called for two propositions, including Proposition One, which would have approved $23.1 million to focus on key instruction and infrastructure needs, but it failed by a small margin of 498 to 474 votes.

Proposition Two would have used $1.8 million to install a turf field at the high school to increase field use playability for all students, but it also failed 734 to 239 votes.

Two's passage was contingent on the passage of Proposition One.

Proposition One would have funded improvements to indoor air quality, maximizing the efficiencies of building spaces, updating bathrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and enhancing student safety by bringing all programs into the main building at the middle school and high school, officials said.

In a statement to Patch Schools Superintendent Jessica Schmettan said that while the district is disappointed in the results of the bond vote, staffers are grateful for "all who participated."

"The small margin of defeat of Proposition One was particularly upsetting, as the challenges that exist with our aging building infrastructure remain a top concern for the district and, as such, will require further discussion for how best to proceed," she said.