WISD voters asked to approve $23 million capital improvement bond Oct. 2
Plan is to use state aid, EXCEL money, rental income and savings to offset all costs
BY CAROLYN JAMES

The West Islip School District is asking voters to approve $23 million in capital improvements and renovations for all of its school buildings- a plan that will not result in any increase in the current tax rate. The funding is expected to come from four major sources including New York State EXCEL funding, a state program to make improvements to education technology, health and safety areas, energy and physical capacity expansion.

While the cost of the work will have no impact on the local school tax bill, voters must approve opting into the EXCEL (EXpanding Our Children's Education & Learning) program to be eligible for the funds. A vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at West Islip High School.

If approved, the district plans to replace boilers at Bayview, P.J. Bellew, Manetuck, Oquenock, Westbrook, Beach Street, and Masera at a cost of approximately $681,000, the largest single expense. In addition work includes:

•hot water heater replacement at Bayview, Oquenock, Westbrook, Beach Street and Masera;

•pavement, curb and sidewalks at Bayview, Bellew, Captree, Manetuck, Oquenock, Westbrook, Beach Street, Udall Road, the high school and Masera;

•putting in new chalkboards at Bayview, Bellew, Manetuck, Oquenock, Westbrook, Beach Street, UdallRoad, and the high school;

The other work will include installing a new lower level for the boys' locker room; work on the team locker rooms adjacent to the pool, new doors and frames, a turf field and completion of work on the bleachers. A new track at the high school is also part of the capital improvement package, if approved.

A new PA system, masonry reconstruction, toilets and lighting is slated for Masera, as well as a new basketball court, under the plan.

"To get this type of work done with a zero increase in property taxes is a very good thing," said Dr. Beth Virginia Blau, superintendent of schools. "We need to take advantage of this unique opportunity to fund our high priority repairs and improvements without raising school taxes."

How the EXCEL aid came about?

The Campaign of Fiscal Equity, a not-for-profit organization which seeks reform for educational equity in school system financing in New York City, won a court decision in which the State of New York was ordered to direct $4.7 and $5.63 billion to New York City schools. Former Governor George Pataki established the need-based EXCEL aid program, which helps not only New York City schools but also those throughout New York. Many districts have already held their votes and have accepted the funds to make capital improvements.

In addition to the EXCEL aid, the district plans to pay off the bonds with money from the district's fund balance. The district estimates that its fund balance at the end of the year will cover $10 million for future financial obligations under newly enacted state regulations, $2 million and to reduce the 2007-08 tax levy. Approximately $4.4 million will be put toward the bonds. The plan will also leave the district with funds for emergencies, said the superintendent.

West Islip is also eligible to receive state aid on the cost of the improvements at a level of 70.6 percent on all state-approved projects.

The final component of the plan is to recoup the cost of the work being done at Masera though the district's lease with Eastern Suffolk BOCES. That lease is due to expire and school officials said that they plan to include the community's share of the building's upgrades into its new lease structure. The work at Masera is expected to cost $2.6 million.

In total then, the district expects to pay for the $22.7 million in repairs, plus $7.4 million in interest expense with $23.1 million in building fund reimbursements and EXCEL funds; $2.6 million from the BOCES lease agreement and $4.4 million of fund balance for a total revenue source of approximately $30.1 million.

"The projects...in this bond are designed to bolster an infrastructure that is 50 years old or more," said George Smith, president of the West Islip Board of Education in a newsletter mailed to every home in the district. "It will make our facilities not just up to date but state of the art."

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