A community vote to raise money for construction is on the horizon for the Montauk School District, which recently released the estimated tax impact for a bond somewhere between $40 and $45 million.
Josh Odom, the Montauk superintendent and principal, said by phone this week that one of the main outstanding questions is the length of the term over which money is borrowed and paid back. The answer, he said, is it seems likely that there would be a “20-year bond for renovation, and for new construction it would be a 25-year bond.”
“What we wanted to find out was what do the numbers look like, knowing that our term is going to be somewhere in the middle,” Mr. Odom said, adding that the board is “trying to do right by both the taxpayer and the school.”
Early numbers presented on Oct. 22 showed that to borrow between $40 to $45 million, there would be a school-tax increase of between $80 and $100 for the duration of repayment, depending on the specific details that ultimately shake out.
This was calculated in collaboration with the East Hampton Town tax assessors office, taking into account the average tax rate of the area as well as the school district’s total tax liability. The district had recently also worked with the town tax assessors to sort out an accidental overtaxing two fiscal
years ago. “They were great,” Mr. Odom said.
As for what the bond proceeds will be used for, Mr. Odom noted some standard repair is needed around boilers, heating and air-conditioning, and other mechanical systems. Beyond that, there are “portable” classrooms that currently sit behind the gymnasium and “have lived beyond their life span,” Mr. Odom said.
“We need to address that space through the lens of replacement,” Mr. Odom said, noting that the school board and B.B.S. Architects have been trying to look beyond just what is needed for school logistics, and are actively looking to improve the student experience.
“We’ve tried to explore what could be, as well as what needs to be at the Montauk School,” Mr. Odom said.
B.B.S. architects will be back at the next school board meeting, set for Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., to present a more specific renovation plan.
Also at its Oct. 22, board meeting, the district reached a formal agreement with the East Hampton Town Police Department to post a police officer as a school resource officer.
According to Mr. Odom, this officer will be “in addition to” the school’s armed private security guards, and will serve as an extra resource for the school and students. For example, he identified the teaching of the “DARE” drug-education program as one area the officer would address.
The agreement comes with no cost to the district, and as an employee of the East Hampton Town Police Department, the officer will operate under its rules and regulations.
“I have worked with the East Hampton Town Police Department forever,” Mr. Odom said, citing his time in the East Hampton and Springs School Districts as well. “I am incredibly grateful for them and the work they do.”