$41M Wyandanch School Expansion, Repair Plan Goes To Voters Dec. 12

WYANDANCH, NY — The Wyandanch Board of Education will ask voters Dec. 12 to approve spending $41.1 million to build space for the district's pre-K and kindergarteners and address needed repairs and renovations districtwide.

The money would come from state education aid and the district’s capital reserve fund, with no tax effect for district residents, officials said.

Now, the district has no place for its kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs, instead renting space out of district.

The proposed Early Childhood Center would include six pre-K and six kindergarten classrooms, four special-education classrooms, a gym, library, multi-purpose room with kitchen, and a playground.

The other part of the bond proposition would be work to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and required building codes:

Lafrancis Hardiman Elementary School

• Replace kitchen ceiling and light fixtures

Martin Luther King Jr. School

• Install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant elevator.
• Create ADA-compliant access to main office, nurse and stage.
• Replace kitchen ceiling.
• Replace railings.

Milton L. Olive Middle School

• Install ADA-compliant elevator.
• Create ADA-compliant access to main office, nurse and stage.
• Hardwire Carbon Dioxide 2 (CO2) detection systems.
• Replace kitchen ceiling.

Wyandanch Memorial High School

• Create ADA-compliant access to auditorium, library, main office, nurse and stage.
• Create ADA-compliant access to all playing fields.
• Replace kitchen ceilings.
• Install three-compartment sink in kitchen.
• Hardwire CO2 detection systems.

All Schools

• Provide ventilation in occupied rooms as needed.
• Additional work identified in the 2022 Building Condition Survey

Construction of the Early Childhood Center would cost $33,575,000 and the safety and compliance work throughout the district would cost $12,571,000.

Of that, $27,687,224 would be reimbursed through New York State Building Aid. The balance would be offset using $14,903,320 from the district capital reserve fund and $3,555,456 would be funded through the state's Smart School Bond fund.

If voters OK the projects, district officials hope to receive approval of the plans from the state Education Department by October 2024 so that projects can be put out to bid and work can begin in 2025. They hope to have the Early Childhood Center ready for the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

Voting will take place from 2:30-9 p.m. at Wyandanch Memorial High School, 54 South 32nd St.