School Officials Say They're Planning Ahead for Future Capital Projects

The Lynbrook Board of Education has come under some criticism for , funds many residents say can be better spent on other needed capital projects in the school district.

But district officials say they are taking all projects seriously, and they are aware of other needed capital improvements in the district.

"When you're in an organization like this, you plan for the future," said Melissa Burak, the district's Assistant Superintendent for Business. "This is long-range planning for us — we plan for things we want down the road."

Burak explained that the school board will very likely be able to put money back into the capital reserve when she closes out other projects currently being undertaken. If the athletic complex proposition is approved on Tuesday, the district will use the $4.6 million, leaving roughly $500,000 remaining in the reserve -- the administration anticipates doubling that number after closing out the other projects next year.

Some of the capital improvement projects that residents have been calling for include an elevator and band room expansion at North Middle School; gymnasium bleachers, doors, and some bathroom and plumbing work at South Middle School; electrical upgrades and an elevator at Marion Street School; resurfacing of tennis courts, replacement of some electrical circuits and outlets, an elevator, and some door replacements at Waverly Park Elementary School; and some additional classroom space, lighting upgrades, and ventilation work at the high school.

Cathy Papandrew, president of the Board of Education, said the board will have a better idea of how to move forward with such projects upon development of the district's five-year strategic plan, which a district committee is currently formulating. Papandrew, while in favor of Lynbrook one day building an athletic complex, voted against placing the proposition on the ballot, preferring to wait for the results of that strategic plan and a better-looking economy.

"The other projects that have been discussed over the past couple of months are very important to the district," Papandrew said. "We are very committed to meeting the needs of all students and certainly we want to look at how to accomplish projects over the course of the next few years."

Papandrew acknowledged that it is hard to estimate just how much the district will be able to put back in its capital reserves. And with the potential of a property tax cap, further reduction in state aid, and ever-increasing insurance and retirement costs, Papandrew said she could not speculate whether or not the board would have to raise taxes down the line to complete other capital projects.

"It's hard to answer," Papandrew said. "There's a lot of different things and it depends on where we want to go."

The athletic complex proposal — Proposition 3 — will appear on the May 17 ballot.

Editor's Note: Not all residents are against this proposal. to read a Lynbrook coach's opinion on why the district needs a new athletic complex.