Athletic Complex Voted Down — Now What?

Now that Lynbrook voters have on yesterday's ballot, questions remain: what will the district do with the extra $4.6 million left in its capital reserves and will it continue to purse an athletic complex in the near future?

"We will sit down with the Board of Education to discuss direction," said Superintendent Dr. Santo Barbarino. "I believe we may look to our strategic planning effort that is already in progress."

That effort, which began with the forming of a Strategic Planning Committee late last year, will result in the creation of a five-year plan for the district. In March, to the Lynbrook community, asking what they felt was needed — or not needed — in the schools. The strategic plan, due out sometime in the summer, would give the district a better picture of what is needed in the schools and how to allocate funding for it. The plan would likely include a recommendation of whether or not the district should continue pursuing an athletic complex.

"We will review all potential projects with the Board of Education and see what the Strategic Planning Committee recommends as we move into the [2011]-12
school year," said Melissa Burak, assistant superintendent for business.

Even though the proposition was voted down, the district cannot use that capital reserve money for other projects in 2011-12 because the budget has already been passed. If the board felt it prudent to begin capital projects with reserve money next year, it would have to float a similar proposition — or a bond — which can be done at any time during the year. It should be noted, however, that holding such a vote would cost taxpayer money to run.

In late March, the Board of Education, in a 4-3 vote, for the community to vote on. The cost of the project was estimated to be $4.6 million, to be funded through use of the district's capital reserve money. It was up to voters on Tuesday to approve that financing option.

At the polls, 937 residents supported the proposition, believing that an athletic complex would be a benefit to the students and sports programs. But 1,390 felt otherwise, and voted against it. Some residents feel that the district should not be building an expensive athletic complex during these tough economic times, and with Albany looking to institute a property tax cap. Others thought other capital projects — such as elevators for handicapped students — should take precedent over an athletic complex.

No matter what the district decides to do regarding an athletic complex and/or other capital projects, Barbarino assured residents that they would be involved in the process.
 
"We also need to hear from the community, to listen to their concerns. At all times, we have to stay focused on the needs of our students. These needs include facilities," he said. "We have to always keep in mind that our students get one opportunity for their K-12 education. Our job is to make sure that it is the best opportunity, under any circumstances."