Nyack Schools Set Bond Referendum Vote for Oct. 29

The Nyack Board of Education voted Tuesday to set the vote on a $26.7 million bond referendum for Oct. 29. 

The district would use $5 million in capital reserves for the series of projects and bond for the rest. Among the projects are replacement of outdated boilers, roofs, windows and doors, the installation of artificial surfaces, bleachers and lighting at the Nyack High School athletic fields, and retrofitting classrooms for students with learning disabilities.

The projects were suggested by a Citizens Advisor Committee made up of approximately 40 residents and staff volunteers who met for months to assess Nyack's facilities needs and the possibility of addressing them. They made their recommendations at a June meeting. 

There will be three public presentations regarding aspects of the projects. The first is Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Nyack Center. The others are Oct. 2 and Oct. 16 at Nyack High School.

There is a series of documents with specific information regarding the referendum on the Nyack Public Schools website including a gallery of pictures and graphic representations of the plan here, a detailed list of the projects here and a series of questions and answers here. 

Residents have raised questions about the referendum at the last two board of education meetings. The items drawing the loudest protests are the proposed upgrades to the athletic fields and the addition of a circular driveway at Upper Nyack Elementary School. 

Residents opposing the artificial turf created the website, An Inconvenient Turf, with videos and information regarding potential drawbacks to such surfaces. Many of those same residents opposed a bond that was defeated in 2007 which also included upgrades to athletic fields.

"Nobody knows if the product is safe," resident Rick Tannenbaum said. "A lot of information says it is not. I think it is irresponsible to present to the community information that says this is a safe product, that it is okay to use it."

The question and answer document on the district website acknowledges the concerns raised, such as toxicity of the materials used and potentially higher rate of injuries for athletes competing on artificial turf. Tannenbaum and other residents called for the board of education to separate out the upgrades to athletic facilities from the rest of the bond, saying that they shouldn't have to face a choice of either rejecting necessary improvements for the district or approving the installation of the artificial athletic fields to get other things they agree Nyack schools need. 

"The district is making a big mistake going forward the way it is. It will divide the community," Tannenbaum said. "It will be a referendum not just about the money, but on the board and the district as well."

Tannenbaum pointed to the Hastings-on-Hudson School District facing a similar decision, but according to the latest information on that district's website published here, they also chose to include the athletic field upgrades with the rest of their proposed facilities projects. 

Members of the public also spoke in favor of the referendum as it is. One argument for the change in the fields is that it would allow the district to hold games and practices for all sports at the high school rather than playing football and lacrosse games at MacCalman Field and the softball team plays at Upper Nyack Elementary School. That leaves the athletic trainer responsible for looking after athletes at three sites rather than one. The current condition of the grass fields is also an issue. One resident called the current status of the fields an "absolute disgrace,"

"I can tell you right now the conditions of the fields we participate on in the spring are detrimental to the kids at the school," said Jeff Ramos, an assistant lacrosse coach. "I would invite anyone who questions that from a health perspective to walk with me at spring time from one end of the field to the opposite end through the muck and mud and goose feces. I don't think you appreciate how disgusting it is to send our children out in a contact sport, or just walking through that yard in what I call a very unsanitary environment."

Residents also spoke on both sides regarding the replacement of the grass field in front of Upper Nyack Elementary School with a circular driveway and parking. Some residents brought the concern of safety to the school board with the current system of dropping students off and picking them up on North Broadway. Others thought there was no safety issue and the grass field is a resource that should be protected.

"To me, there is no safety issue," said resident John Borst. "It doesn't make sense to sacrifice a gorgeous green space that the children, teachers and parents value. I think this has the potential to bring out a block vote to oppose the bond issue. I think this is one issue that could defeat the bond."

School Board Trustee Dan Kaplan defended the decision to keep all components of the bond referendum together, saying the district needs to meet he needs of all of its students. He pointed out that members of the community have been involved in the process all along the way. 

"There are districts that cut arts because they think they are trivial," Kaplan said. "I don't think sports are trivial. We have to support the whole child."

Trustee Leeann Irvin said it was unfair for residents to say they did not know enough about the bond referendum because notifications of meetings have been sent out and the information is on the district website.

"I understand the community doesn't support all aspects of this bond," Irvin said. "I've read the information. You can read the information. It's up to you to make the choice. I'm not telling you to vote for the bond."

Trustee Dan Juechter did speak in favor of the bond referendum and specifically the athletic field upgrads, pointing to 870 students affected by sports in the district even before considering other impacts such as physical education classes and band competitions that could be held on the fields if they are able to stand up to more use. 

"There has to be a point where we look at the information and we say, to the best of my ability, I'm doing what is safe and good for my district. " Juechter said. "There is a point that we have to be rational about what we are doing. To me, this is that point. I'm comfortable with what we are recommending."

Editor's Note: Updated with additional information regarding proposed facilities upgrades in the Hastings-on-Hudson School District.