News

Rye Neck school district prepares for second bond try

The Rye Neck Union Free School District is preparing to propose another bond after voters narrowly rejected a previous $35.5 million bond for districtwide improvements on Oct. 6, according to the schools superintendent.

The school district plans to propose another bond with an adjusted scope of construction unlike the preceding one that failed earlier this month by 17 votes, according to Dr. Peter Mustich, the schools superintendent. “Clearly we are still disappointed with the results of the bond vote,” he said.

The Rye Neck school district plans to propose another districtwide infrastructure bond after voters rejected a $35.5 million bond proposal on Oct. 6. File photo
The Rye Neck school district plans to propose another districtwide infrastructure bond after voters rejected a $35.5 million bond proposal on Oct. 6. File photo

According to Veronica Sessler, the district clerk, 263 residents voted in favor of the bond proposal while 280 voted it down.

Despite the school district’s plans for a second bond proposal, there is no time frame, according to Mustich. The superintendent added that the scope of construction, and the estimated cost of another bond, has not yet been discussed at a Board of Education meeting.

Mustich told the Review that it’s “urgent” to address the roof replacements and repairs needed districtwide, which were included in the previous $35.5 million borrowing plan that failed, and to date, have not been tackled in 25 years. The bond encompassed a total of $6 million specifically allocated to replacing roofs at the Daniel Warren and F.E. Bellows elementary schools, and the joint Rye Neck middle and high schools’ building.

The middle school and high school would have also received new equipment and furnishings, renovation work to convert science rooms into classrooms, eight general classroom expansions, and upgraded seating in the auditorium for a total cost of $13.9 million. Reconstruction plans would have also included a number of improvements to the school’s gymnasium, including a new set of bleachers and lighting upgrades.

Additional renovations would have taken place in Daniel Warren’s main offices, library and nurse’s office, as well as updated equipment and furnishings, and two new additional classrooms for a cost of $3.6 million.

The F.E. Bellows school would have received an estimated $6.1 million in improvements toward the library, cafeteria and the expansion of four classrooms, as well as renovations to the cafeteria’s kitchen, updated equipment and furnishings, and new lighting and plumbing systems.

While there has not been any official action to propose new construction to date, Mustich confirmed that roof replacement and repairs would be necessary components of the next capital bond. “We will have to talk to the community first and gather some more information before we take our next steps,” he said.

The superintendent added that the Rye Neck school district has one of the lowest amounts of debt of all school districts throughout Westchester County, ranking 38 out of 54 districts, with a total outstanding debt of $12.3 million.

According to Mustich, the school district can still capitalize on state aid toward the overall scope of work if it decides to move forward on a second infrastructure bond. The school district was expected to receive 13.6 percent in state aid toward its failed bond proposal.

Barbara Ferraro, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and high school principal, and April Tunno, president of the PTSA’s Executive Committee, could not be reached for comment as of press time.