A proposed $99.5 million bond for the Sewanhaka Central High School District was turned down by voters Wednesday by less than 300 votes.
"It's disappointing that the community didn't support it," said Joan Romagnoli, the New Hyde Park representative on the Sewanhaka School Board.
The initial unofficial tally given to Patch was 2,205 in favor of the bond to 2,428 against. However, numbers posted on the district indicated that the bond failed 2,412-2,705.
Three of the four component districts voted against the measure: New Hyde Park-Garden City Park, Franklin Square and Elmont, while Floral Park/Bellerose was the only community in favor of the bond.
The bond, which totaled $99,511,321, would have seen major renovations to each of the component high schools' auditoriums, new synthetic turf athletic fields, new roofs, security upgrades, brick pointing, technology and in the case of Sewanhaka High School itself, a new wing on the southwest corner.
New Hyde Park Memorial High School was slated to receive $14.1 million in projects including a renovated auditorium with climate control, the aforementioned refurbished athletic fields, a new gym ceiling, roof work, a refurbished fitness room and security upgrades.
About 40 percent of the bond was projected to qualify for state aid, with the average tax levy increase each homeowner would see projected at $144.26 and phased in over three to four
Sewanhaka Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie declined to comment Wednesday night.
The results by community are as follows:
District Yes No
Elmont 427 586
Floral Park/Bellerose 1,111 954
Franklin Square 527 551
New Hyde Park-Garden City Park 347 614
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