South Orangetown Central School District Bond Vote on March 8
Every year in May, school districts across the state hold annual budget votes and school board elections. This March, the South Orangetown Central School District will be holding an additional vote where they will put before the public a separate bond vote.
On December 9, the South Orangetown Central School District's Board of Education unanimously approved the District’s proposed 2022 Capital Improvements Bond to address essential infrastructure for student health, safety and success. Visit www. socsd.org/bond for detailed information and a list of bond specifics.
The proposed bond is the culmination of a multi-year, long-range master capital planning effort which has included a district-wide Building Conditions Survey, extensive building-level conversations with staff, meetings with architects and detailed facilities tours and discussions.
The project budget totals $49,932,000; however, the use of $18,000,000 in existing capital reserve funds will offset costs, resulting in a total bond amount of $31.932,000. It is estimated that the project will result in an additional 1.61% tax levy increase which equates to $128.69 for a home with an assessed value of $200,000.
The District will seek voter approval for the proposed bond on Tuesday, March 8. If approved, the construction would begin in Summer 2023 and be completed by Fall 2027.
In addition to the bond vote, there will be a special Board of Education election to fill the seat vacated by Christine Lee, who relocated. The candidates are: Arash Mossafa and Steven Peña. The candidate elected will serve the remainder of Lee’s current term, which ends on June 30, 2023.
The May school budget vote covers annual operating costs projected for the coming school year for transportation, academics, infrastructure, maintenance, salaries and benefits, pandemic-related educational costs, etc whereas the school bond vote is solely for the costs identified for specific capital improvements that take place over several years.
Special School District Bond Vote and School Board Election:
Tuesday, March 8 from 7:00 am- 9:00 pm.
Annual School District Budget Vote and School Board Election:
Tuesday, May 17 from 7:00 am- 9:00 pm.
Palisades residents vote at Tappan Zee Education Center (formerly Tappan Zee Elementary) at 561 Route 9W, Piermont, NY district bOnd VOte On march 8 .