Residents Pass $17.18M Greenport School Capital Improvement Plan

GREENPORT, NY — Residents weighed in for the second time Tuesday on a bond referendum for the Greenport Union Free School District's revised capital improvement plan, shaved by $7 million — and passed the measure by a vote of 409 to 240.

"We are so grateful to the Greenport community for showing such strong support for the capital project," said Greenport Schools Superintendent David Gamberg. "This will provide tremendous support for the learning environment that the students, staff and families of Greenport so deserve."

The victory came after voters nixed the first bond.

"After numerous meetings, careful survey of public opinion, and informal conversations with community members, the Board of Education is proposing a revised $17.187 million bond, approximately $7 million less than the original bond proposed on June 26," a notice to the public on the district website said.

In order to minimize tax impacts to residents, the BOE has decided to use $1 million from the district's capital reserve fund to further lower the cost of the project. Therefore, the district said, the total cost of the project is $18,187,000 but only $17,187,000 will be bonded.

For a property valued at $330,000, the cost would be $20 per month or $240 yearly, the district said.

"The Board of Education listened carefully to the residents in Greenport and reduced the scope of the bond, reducing the cost by $6 million. They also included $1 million in capital reserve funding, further reducing the impact to taxpayers," said Greenport Schools Superintendent David Gamberg. "What is included in the revised proposal maintains the integrity of the original bond which will help support a safe, healthy and effective school environment for many years."

The bond, the district said, will ensure critical repairs to infrastructure, provide important safety and security upgrades while enhancing the educational program.

Included in the plans are renovations of all student and single-use restrooms; upgrades to electrical and heating systems; renovations of interior walls and ceiling systems; renovations of boys' and girls' locker rooms, both lockers and floors; a new information sign and upgraded parking lot; partial replacement of bleachers and irrigation installation; enhancements and upgrades to music, art, science, and home economics classrooms; renovation of the shop classroom to accommodate a revised marine program; an upgrade and relocation of the elementary library; refurbishment of the NJROTC classroom; minimum upgrades to the cafeteria; interior door replacement; interior and exterior camera installation; and relocation of administrative offices to increase security.

In June, residents voted down a bond referendum for the Greenport Union Free School District's propose $23.87 million capital improvement plan by 23 votes.The final vote was 354 to 331, Gamberg said. However, the defeat did not symbolize the end of the road for the plans.

A tour this spring of the aging building, which drastically needs upgrades after 86 years, revealed towels under windows to soak up leaking, cracked floors and plaster, aging infrastructure and electrical systems and bathrooms in dire need of a facelift.