$6.2M Hen Hud Capital Projects Bond Approved
Voters in the Hendrick Hudson School District approved a $6.2 million proposition Tuesday that will pay for an array of security, technology and infrastructure improvements.
Despite district schools being closed by the inclement weather, the bond vote took place throughout the day at Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School, and residents gave their support by a better than two-to-one margin of 529 to 254.
Two years ago, district voters soundly rejected a $25 million capital projects bond. Following that defeat, Hendrick Hudson school officials asked residents what they would be willing to support and came up with a scaled down proposition that they have described as barebones necessities.
While the bond on the ballot was $6.2 million, taxpayers will only be on the hook for $4.89 million, thanks to $620,000 in state aid the district is eligible for, approximately $30,000 in security aid and $650,000 remaining from a bond approved several years ago. $3.7 million is projected for security and facilities infrastructure, while $2.5 million is slated for technology upgrades.
The estimated annual tax for property owners, starting in the 2015-16 school year, in Cortlandt, based on the market value of their home, will range from $6.62 to $79.42, and in Peekskill, $3.20 to $38.37.
A portion of the bond will pay for the rehabilitation of septic fields at Blue Mountain Middle School and Furnace Woods Elementary School. The septic systems are the original systems installed when the schools were built in the 1960s. In order to meet new requirements imposed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the current systems must be upgraded.
Other infrastructure improvements involve security upgrades throughout the district, including cameras, communication devices and door locks.
The other part of the proposition will fund the upgrade of the district’s computer server, Wi-Fi expansion, and purchase of laptops and smart boards. The last time the district invested in technology infrastructure was more than nine years ago. Since then, more than 600 computers and 150 interactive white boards have been added.
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