Schools

Shoreham-Wading River Community Approves Bond Referendum

Residents voted to approve the referendum on Tuesday.

Residents of the Shoreham-Wading River School District approved the district’s capital project bond referendum by a vote of 1,421 to 585 on Tuesday.

“We are grateful to our community for their overwhelming support of our district,” said Board of Education President Dr. William McGrath.

According to McGrath, by approving this project, the district will be able to move forward with critical renovations to the schools.

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Some of the renovations include eliminating the portables at Miller Avenue and Wading River Elementary schools and replacing them with classroom additions, and making significant improvements to the athletic resources.

“Through the passage of this project, our residents have made their voices heard and said that they want a robust community-based school district in their future. We will now have the facilities to complement the quality education that is currently provided to our students,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven R. Cohen, said.

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The $48.5 million “Renewal” Project will create improved instructional space, preserve the basic integrity of the district’s school buildings, promote energy efficiencies, and improve athletic fields and resources for the schools and community.

BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers serves as the architect, engineer and athletic field designer for the entire construction program to be financed by the bond.

“The construction program will significantly improve the condition of all buildings occupied by students and faculty, renovate instructional spaces, promote energy efficiency, improve motorized traffic safety within school grounds, and rebuild athletic fields and tennis courts,” said BBS Principal Architect Roger P. Smith. “The district’s facilities have not received any major improvements since they were built in the 1960s and 1970s. The renovation program will bring these buildings to the 21st century’s standards of design, safety, codes, efficiency and educational facility planning.”

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