12 The Manhasset Times, Friday, December 2, 2016
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Herricks voters to decide on capital plan District seeks to spend $29.5M on improvements B Y N O A H M A N S K A R outstanding reputation that we Herricks school district voters will decide Tuesday whether to spend $29.5 million on upgrades to the district’s seven buildings, including some major renovations at Herricks High School. Two propositions will be on the ballot Dec. 6 that would allocate the first $28.3 million in spending: one to authorize $25 million in borrowing and another to let the district spend $3.3 million from a capital reserve fund. Residents will vote again at a later date to spend the other $1.2 million in reserves, which the district has not yet saved. If approved, the district will take up “transformational” projects that many residents say are long overdue, said Fino Celano, the Herricks school superintendent. “Herricks is an outstanding school district academically, and what this bond will do is it will bring our facilities to match the
have as a school district,” Celano said. The projects in the bond vote reflect the highest priorities on that longer list, district officials say. A committee created the package in June and presented it to residents at three meetings in September, where it met praise from students and parents. About 60 percent of the work is “health and safety” fixes, including new asphalt, sidewalks, doors and locks, handicap accessibility renovations and ventilation improvements. The 68-year-old Herricks High School would get about 50 percent of the work, including major renovations to the cafeteria, athletic field, track and one science lab. A new fitness center would also be built near the school’s front entrance. Some work, including construction of the new athletic field, could start as early as the summer of 2017, district officials have said.
All projects are expected to be complete by 2023. The district says timing will be an important part of the building process, partly due to a backlog in the state Education Department’s plan review office, which must approve plans for school projects. Other “moving parts” include the bidding process for contractors and the speed of actual construction, Celano said. The district plans to hire a construction manager to make sure the work stays on schedule. The $25 million bond would not raise property taxes because it will replace existing debt from a $24 million bond set to expire in 2021, Celano said. The district decided to borrow that money in 2000 to add classrooms at its three elementary schools, the last time a package of projects of this magnitude was undertaken, Celano said. Taxes would decrease “minimally” if the district did not take on new debt, Celano said, but “people recognize the fact that
Community joins in superintendent search BY M A X Z A H N Community members met for the first time on Tuesday with a representative from the search firm hired by the Manhasset school district to find a replacement for outgoing Superintendent Charles Cardillo. The five residents at the public forum lauded the district and Cardillo for their strengths, such as a studentcentric approach, while criticizing areas perceived as needing improvement, like an overemphasis on athletics. “The appointment of a new superintendent is the most important thing that’s happened in this community in the last decade,” one resident said. He, like the other attendees, requested anonymity. Another resident said, “One of the greatest qualities in the current superintendent is his humanistic approach to leadership.” He said the new superintendent should bring a similarly “collaborative approach that includes all stakeholders. Every resident, not just those with children.”
Another attendee responded, “The humanistic side is important but we’re not looking for another politician. We need the human side but having a substantive, true leader is more important.” He warned against “board members turned toward cronyism” who might interfere with a hiring decision based on merit. “We deserve the best in Manhasset,” he said. Another attendee focused on the role of the incoming superintendent as a “curriculum builder.” He said the culture of the community results in a tendency to overemphasize athletics at the expense of music and the arts, though he acknowledged that those programs were also strong. He also mentioned that too significant a focus on academics in the elementary school results in insufficient development in a child’s social and emotional skills. “I know this is a competitive community but we need to keep improving the balanced education we provide for our children,” he said. Continued on Page PB
PHOTO BY NOAH MANSKAR
Herricks school district Superintendent Fino Celano discusses a $29.5 million capital projects plan at Herricks High School in September. the work needs to be done, and therefore it’s not a concern.” Other North Shore school districts have approved large packages of building projects in recent years. The Sewanhaka school district is finishing the third phase of an $86.6 million initiative across its five high schools. The Roslyn school district finished the first phase of a $24.5 million package this summer. Several pieces of a $7 million package were completed at Mineola schools over the sum-
mer. Celano said he does not expect any more major projects in the next several years, but there will be work to be done at the district’s aging buildings. “It’s a constant thing,” he said. “It’s like when you own a home there are always new projects to be done.” Polls will be open for the bond referendum from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the gymnasium of the Herricks Community Center at 999 Herricks Road in New Hyde Park.
READERS WRITE
O’Brien is correct choice for commish
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here is a clear choice for Manhasset-Lakeville water/fire commissioner on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Donald O’Brien has served as a commissioner for six years and has done what he committed to in his original campaign. He has brought his career background in finance to the board, serving as its treasurer for four years and its chairman for two years. During his two terms, he has implemented major changes in budgeting that have resulted in financing capital expenditures through the annual budgets. There has been no new water district bond financing during the past six years and existing bond debt has been paid down by $10.6 million or 50 percent. All budgets have been under the tax cap. O’Brien has established a close working relationship with the fire chiefs. He has a working knowledge of the issues related to fire protection, rescue, and the ambulance unit.
He refinanced the fire district bonds to reduce interest expense. The fire department will be debt-free in 2017. His contract negotiating skills for district contracts and his private sector management expertise, which includes working closely with attorneys on legal issues and accountants and auditors on the financial statements, are major assets for the districts. His private sector real estate property management experience has been beneficial in matters relating to the operation and maintenance of the properties owned and operated by the water and fire districts. We need to elect O’Brien for another term so he can continue to deliver for the residents of the district. Let’s get out and vote to re-elect Commissioner Donald O’Brien on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Bayview Avenue Firehouse. Elizabeth A. Parrella Manhasset