Improvement Bond Requests Listed at BOE Meeting

The Rockville Centre Board of Education met Tuesday night at South Side High School to discuss the school improvement bond. 

Roger Smith and Fred Seeba of BBS Architects & Engineers were on hand to go over the compact committee requests and architect recommendations list for the elementary schools in the district.

Each school had its own list of requests and suggestions of things that could be improved in the school and the cost of these improvements.

The need for more space in the elementary schools was at the forefront of the recommendations, as the various lists asked for additional classrooms to be used for activities like music, art and small group instruction.

Other requests and recommendations varied by school, but items that were found on most school lists were mechanical fresh air systems, door replacements, masonry reconstruction and replacement clock systems.

When the microphone was opened up to the public, concerns were raised over the high cost of the requests listed. However, board of education president Liz Dion reminded everyone in attendance that none of these changes have been approved or voted upon yet.

The board hopes to start crossing things off of the lists in their upcoming meetings. In order to vote on the bond on Feb. 5, the board needs a resolution set by Dec. 11. 

Dion stressed that the board values input from the community and encouraged residents to voice their concerns or questions on the bond by visiting www.rvcshools.org, by emailing boe@rvcschools.org or by coming to the meetings and speaking at the microphone.  

Prior to the bond issue, the board recognized a number of South Side students for their achievements in leadership and academic areas.

The 2012-13 student government officers and class presidents were introduced to the board and other community members in attendance. The students were congratulated for their efforts in organizing the school’s recent spirit week and for running a food and clothing drive.

“This is really a very special meeting for us each year,” Superintendent Dr. William H. Johnson said. “It gives us an opportunity to acknowledge and recognize where leadership begins in the school district.”

The South Side students who took part in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology were also recognized. The students were introduced along with a brief explanation of their projects to the board. Student Evan Chernack will go on to represent South Side in the regional finals at Carnegie Mellon University.

The South Side chamber singers also took the floor to perform for the board as a "thank you" for the work they do for Rockville Centre students.