Public meeting dates announced for bond vote

The Center Moriches School District will be proposing a just under $45 million bond vote for two phases, including major building upgrades as well as a turf football field. The vote will take place on Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Main Street gym of Clayton Huey.

The district will be hosting a community forum on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. There will also be open house building tours on Oct. 12 for Clayton Huey and Oct. 16 for the high school and middle school. Tours will be given every 20 minutes between the hours of 5:30-7 p.m.; this is open to all community members to come see the buildings and project proposals.

The project, according to Keri Loughlin, assistant superintendent for business, has a main focus on health and safety, with roof replacement and sidewalk repair. Also part of the proposal is the bus loop construction for 559 Main Street, which was purchased after last year’s referendum passed.

This year, the bond will include two propositions: 

The first proposition will be for infrastructure including the roof replacement, door replacements, sidewalk repair, new boilers, library upgrades, an auditorium revamp, a dedicated space for the music department and as well as family consumer science classroom upgrades and new locker rooms at both the middle and high schools.

The second proposition is for a new turf field. The district currently uses the nearby Town of Brookhaven turf field, though there are no bleachers. The new field would include the existing, already replaced lighting as well as new bleachers for viewing and a press box.

The total cost for the field would be about $3.6 million. However, Proposition 2 is contingent on Proposition 1 passing, and cannot pass unless Proposition 1 passes.

The work will most likely be done in phases over the course of three to four years, spreading the costs. Dr. Ronald Masera, superintendent of schools, said that the board is considering utilizing the capital reserve to offset some of the costs in the amount of about $1.5 million. However, to utilize that funding would also require a referendum vote.