Farmingdale School District Proposes 'Transformative Bond Referendum'

FARMINGDALE, NY — A bond referendum vote featuring two propositions is scheduled for Jan. 7, the Farmingdale School District announced.

The propositions, if both pass, would result in roof repairs and replacements; development of a new Career and Technical Education Center, and the enhancement of fine and performing arts facilities, the district announced. The proposed referendum totals $78 million.

Proposition One focuses on roof repairs and replacements at all six school buildings in the district. Each building has its original roof, which the district states "significantly" exceeded the expected 20-year lifespan of the roofing materials. They are also out of warranty, making continued maintenance "more expensive and difficult," according to the district.

The first proposition also calls for the upgrading of the district’s electric infrastructure, which the district states would ensure future capacity for additional core curricular activities and the support of ongoing technology upgrades and power requirements.

Proposition Two focuses on the needs of the district’s Career and Technical Education program and the district’s Fine and Performing Arts program.

"In 2016, the Farmingdale community approved a referendum that allowed us to give our growing varsity and junior-varsity athletes the facilities they deserved," Superintendent Paul Defendinisaid in a news release. "Equally important, our sports complex, including our aquatic center, created opportunities for our community that did not exist before."

Farmingdale residents approved the $36 million bond in 2016. The sports complex and Aquatic Center at Howitt Middle School opened years later.

"With Proposition Two of this referendum, we are looking to do the same thing for the over 1,000 students in our CTE and Fine and Performing Arts high school programs — replace our aging and inadequate facilities in these two areas with updated, modern spaces that will better serve our students’ education and skills development," Defendini said.

Defendini said the new spaces would offer opportunities for community use and "deepen the connections between our community and students."

Of the $78 million referendum proposal, $22.15 million would be earmarked for roof and electrical upgrades, and the remaining $55.85 million would be used for Career and Technical Education and Fine and Performing Arts physical space additions; a new and repositioned high school health office to enhance building security; and a new and expanded security vestibule and front entrance.

Proposition One must be approved by voters for Proposition Two to pass, the district stated.

"State aid will pay for over 55 percent of total bond costs, amounting to over $43 million coming
from State sources," Assistant to the Superintendent for Business Michael Motisi said. "Additionally, because current district debt will be coming off the books as new debt will be coming on, the tax impact on Farmingdale residents will be greatly reduced."

Based on current market conditions and projections of what the bond market will be when these bonds are sold, the district estimates the annual tax impact for the average homeowner within the district if both propositions are approved would be limited to $70 per year for the life of the bonds, Motisi said.

"This philosophy of managing district debt enables the district to both manage taxpayers' money and construct new facilities that will provide unprecedented opportunity for both our students and our community," Motisi said.

Defendini said the district is "excited" to potentially provide students with the "best opportunities to reach their full potential."

"Just as we have made great strides in our physical education and sports programming with the creation of our sports complex, we are looking to move our CTE and Fine and Performing Arts programming to a higher level, offering greater opportunities for our students to follow their passions and career interests," Defendini said.

The district arranged a series of presentations and workshops, created a dedicated bond referendum section on its website that includes a portal for residents to submit questions, and will be mailing out information newsletters to the community.

For more information about bond 2025 and to access a detailed calendar listing of when and where the district’s meetings will take place, people can visit the district’s website.

The referendum vote is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Weldon E. Howitt Middle School West gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.