In Support of the Nyack Bond Referendum

We stand in strong support of the Nyack Board of Education and the current bond referendum.  Please take a moment to read our thoughts and reasons for supporting this effort.  We each served as President of the Board of Education and have a unique understanding of what this bond represents to the students of our district.

The plan was developed by a committee of community residents.  This committee used architectural engineers and relied on experts in energy savings and environmental reviews to conduct a full audit of our facilities.  They developed a list of issues that need to be addressed, then prioritized the needs to fit within a financial plan that responds to critical repairs and renovations while investing in items that will save money and enhance our educational programs and strategies.

This is a solid financial plan for our future and does not increase the tax levy.  The 2% tax cap rules restrict a districts ability to fund significant capital expenditures without a bond or long term debt.  If we let the current debt expire, we will not be able to meet our long term capital needs.  Roofs, windows, doors, fire alarms, electrical systems and athletic fields require proper maintenance and ultimately replacement. 

We have exceeded the usable lifespan of many of these systems and spend significant dollars every year “patching” things that are well past their useable life.  This is not an effective use of taxpayer money and costs the district millions each year.

Taking a larger “market view” of the bond in question, the timing and market forces are now optimal for borrowing and buying.  Interest rates on bonds are near historical lows. 

As an entity looking to spend $26MM we will be highly desirable customer in a buyers market.  Our dollars will go further.  For example, the costs for the last few capital projects (window replacement at Valley Cottage Elementary and roof replacement at Liberty Elementary) came in significantly under budget.  The district was able to do more with less in these ultra-competitive market conditions.

Best of all, by using the $5MM set aside in the capital fund; NY State Aid matching over 37% of approved expenses; and replacing the current expiring debt the bond is tax neutral.

The expenditures will impact every aspect of our educational strategies and many of our operational obligations.  Security upgrades to keep our children safe; technology upgrades to give every student better access to new teaching methodologies and information; air conditioning for our Arts, Music and Technology Programs; improvements in our athletic facilities that provide safe fields for all of our high school students and community athletes of all ages.

Building upgrades in technology infrastructure, boiler repairs, window replacements and new roofs address issues that cannot be ignored.

We have all experienced flooding and drainage problems in our community.  The school is not immune to those same flooding issues.  Part of the bond will address flooding issues that plague the High School, Upper Nyack Elementary School and the properties that are down stream from those facilities.

Many of our students with special needs must receive services from other districts because we do not have the facilities to address their needs.  This is very costly and does not provide the best experience for our students.  During the interview process before we hired Dr. Montesano, he described the life skills facilities that were created to support students in Paramus.  We visited the buildings, spoke with students and teachers who were using the facilities and became familiar with what was accomplished.   It was an impressive operation that helped reduce costs and provided more effective services to students.  It is something we should bring to Nyack.

The proposed turf fields have raised significant discussions in the community.  In our view, the turf fields are necessary.  We do not have enough fields to properly support our physical education programs, our sports teams, and other community activities.  The fields cannot recover fast enough from the use in every season.  The current condition of the fields robs our children of the opportunity to achieve.

The bond will allow us to centralize our athletic programs and give our student athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents.

For some students, the ability to compete on a team is what keeps them in school.  Student athletes are inspired and encouraged by coaches to press on and not give up on their education. Investing in our sports facilities demonstrates that our community values teaching students to compete and not give up on their own future.

The timing is right; the market is favorable; the needs are significant; and the plans are sound.  Now is the time for us to make this investment in our future.  We applaud this well thought out plan and encourage our community to support the bond on Tuesday October 29th.



Dr. Don Hammond                     Michael Lagana
Nyack BOE 1998-2004, 2010      Nyack BOE 2006-2012
Board President 2002/2004        Board President 2010/2011