School bond vote: Yes in Manhasset, no in North Bellmore
Voters in two Nassau County school districts, North Bellmore and Manhasset, went to the polls Thursday to consider multi-million bond proposals that would lead to renovations throughout classrooms and campuses. North Bellmore residents were considering approval of a $39 million bond and Manhasset voters were deciding a $44 million bond. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
It turned out to be a split decision for a pair of bond proposals on the ballot Thursday in two Nassau school districts — voters in Manhasset approved a bond of nearly $44 million for building upgrades, while a similar proposal in North Bellmore for more than $39 million in renovations went down to defeat.
The Manhasset bond passed by a vote of 672 to 296, according to the school district website. The funds will go to more than 50 capital projects throughout the school system including for security upgrades and renovations to modernize learning spaces.
The total cost is $43.996 million, of which $70,000 will be paid by donations. The average homeowner will pay an additional $302 a year under the bond.
North Bellmore voters rejected a bond for projects throughout the district including upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as electrical systems. Approval would have also cleared the way for Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible elevator installations at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, and playground improvements at all six elementary schools.
The average homeowner would have paid $16.47 more a month had they approved the bond, which notched 628 no votes and 533 yes.
The proposals follow two successful bond propositions in Glen Cove and Wantagh earlier this week.
Glen Cove voters approved a bond of more than $30.5 million for district renovations, including hardening security. Wantagh voters passed two parts of a three-part $69 million bond that called for improvements to core infrastructure as well as renovations to library media spaces and school cafeterias.
Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.
