The Nyack Board of Education continued to move toward a referendum seeking authorization for $26.7 million in capital improvements to district building and grounds at Tuesday's meeting.
The board approved a resolution setting a meeting on the matter and the district is expected to release further details of the proposed projects in the coming weeks. The proposal for a referendum is expected to be on the agenda for the school board's meeting Sept. 10. According to District Clerk Gal Fleur, there would have to be at least a 45-day period from that point until it comes to a vote, which would mean late October at the earliest.
In the proposal, the district would spend $5 million in capital reserves and bond for $21.7 million. Two residents spoke out against the referendum Tuesday, primarily stating that the installation of artificial surfaces on some fields at Nyack High School should be put to the public as a separate issue, calling it a luxury. Resident Greg Tanenbaum said voters would have to choose between rejecting necessary projects or accepting the athletic field upgrades to get them.
The projects would also include upgrades in technology and security and the replacement of items such as roofs, windows, boilers and outdated fire alarms.
The district Citizens Advisory Committee met for months coming up with the proposed projects that would be included in the referendum. Members of the school board and Superintendent Dr. James Montesano expressed support for the projects, including the athletic fields, during previous meetings.
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