Bond Information
The Rocky Point School District Board of Education has approved a resolution calling for a restructured capital improvement project geared toward addressing the district’s most pertinent facility and infrastructure needs. The referendum will now be put before voters on Tuesday, May 17. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Rocky Point High School.
Just the Facts:
- Total cost of the proposal is $16,439,513.
- 70.2% of cost would be funded in the form of New York State building aid for the term of the bond.
- For homeowners with an average assessed value home ($2,600), the project would cost approximately $6.19 per month during the course of the 15-year bond.
Rocky Point Bond Question & Answers
Q: How much will the proposed bond cost?
A: The total cost of the project is $16,439,513. Of this, 70.2 percent will be funded through New York State building aid. For homeowners with an average assessed value home ($2,600), the project would cost approximately $6.19 per month during the course of the 15-year bond.
Q: What does the proposed bond include?
A: Projects include health and safety updates, replacement of aging building systems, repairs to aging infrastructure and installation of energy efficiency initiatives. Targeted areas include extensive renovation of bathrooms, heating and ventilation, enhanced and expanded safety and security systems, installation of energy-efficient lighting and many others. A complete list of proposed projects can be found here.
Q: How were the projects identified?
A: The district’s facilities committee, comprised of health and safety committee representatives, administrators, Board of Education trustees, and community members, met over the past two years to review the current state of the district’s facilities and develop a plan to maintain the integrity of the buildings and grounds in a financially prudent manner. The scope of work was narrowed down by priority and includes what the committee and Board felt were each building’s most important challenges.
Q: Will all schools see improvements?
A: Yes, all district schools will benefit from the proposed project
Q: How is the revised bond different from the one proposed in the fall?
A: More than $4.4 million has been cut from the previously proposed bond; these were funds earmarked for projects such as the turf fields and exterior bathroom facilities. The bond being put before voters on May 17 only includes projects that address what the district deems to be its most pertinent infrastructural needs, and those that are key to preserving the integrity of its facilities.
Q: Would the proposed bond increase the tax levy beyond the district’s allowable limit and thus affect
the proposed budget?
A: No. The proposed budget and bond are separate in this case and, therefore, would not increase the 2016-17 tax levy beyond the allowable limit. As such, the budget will only require the approval of a simple majority of voters.
Q: Will the projects be completed in one phase or will they be spread among several phases?
A: It is expected that the work will be completed in multiple phases.
Q: Is this the right time for this kind of project?
A: While the district regularly works to address standard maintenance repairs through the annual operating budget, there are a few key reasons why it believes the proposed projects are best suited for a bond. Relatively low interest rates are likely to result in decreased borrowing and construction costs. Additionally, as more than 70% of the project would be funded by New York State building aid, the impact on taxpayers would be less than if the projects were included in a proposed budget.