Smithtown Schools Present $120 Million Bond Vote

SMITHTOWN, NY — Residents within the Smithtown Central School District are set to head to the polls on Sept. 28 to vote on a $120 million bond proposal for districtwide capital improvement projects, the school district announced.

"If approved, the proposal would not increase taxes, as new payments for the proposed work would replace expiring debt payments," the district wrote in a statement. "Therefore, no new tax revenue would be needed to support the bond payments."

The proposed bond referendum aims to prioritize safety and security, renovate and repair aging facilities, and provide opportunities for students to be successful, according to the district.

The list of projects was formed following thorough walkthroughs of each of the district's schools as part of the New York State Education Department Building Condition Survey, which is mandated every five years.

Most projects proposed in the new bond referendum are related to infrastructure and safety. Many of the systems are no longer code compliant, the district wrote.

Proposed projects include:

• Installation of HVAC systems to improve fresh air intake.
• Improvements to lighting in select areas.
• Replacement of outdated hot water heaters.
• Repairs to cracked sidewalks and asphalt.
• Replacement of windows, doors and deteriorating ceiling tiles.
• Upgrades to the fire alarm systems in all buildings to provide adequate audio-visual strobes and smoke detectors to meet current space requirements.
• Renovation of exterior stairs, steps and ramps.

The proposal also includes items meant to directly benefit student education:

• Enhancements and upgrades to select auditoriums, including new seating, finishes, acoustical treatments, LED house and theatrical lighting, rigging, sound system and smartpodiums.
• Reconfiguration and upgrades to existing science, family and consumer science, technology, robotics and preschool classrooms at the secondary level.
• Investments to physical education and athletic programs, including renovated locker rooms, construction of new concession stands and bathrooms at both the High School East and High School West stadium fields, creation of a fitness center at High School West and renovations to the athletic turf fields on the secondary level.

The district is scheduled to host bond forums to provide an overview of the proposal at 3 p.m. Sept. 21 at the New York Avenue building and 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Smithtown High School West.

Polls are slated to be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 28.

Residents can find more information on the Smithtown bond proposal here.