[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6332756,"mediaKeyId","2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a","parentId",2305113,"title","Connetquot facilities chief outlines timeline, $5M savings and air‑conditioning delays for $60M bond work","audioSeconds",2047,"startMs",1751000,"endMs",3798000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a&start=1751&end=3798","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a/thumbnail_1751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332756/New-York/Connetquot-facilities-chief-outlines-timeline-5M-savings-and-airconditioning-delays-for-60M-bond-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332756-ae323a8f105ee404199a88e134e7f46f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776316588&Signature=IkBAemQ-fC1wTD7oLBMZN6sRN07TVHsvtaX6473LwsQjEO774hhcepJMGVLtjTIyvm~mVsbepc1OuXMC7OYKtyvTFITXQ0mpgPSxPnX217VlK4Zfysy92XVIYZIMBmONg5zzQmZz9Oi-ibBEMM-fTdW~wiUPG7xXy4C3L9EhC2FStFwIvEm4sVs5TeUhdDU4SJIVAUl~vBKOcJWlAt80a9OuljU0d1Vg2ZsyL936Fc~w94P26R87q-T59AptM8RSswrjVW9txpGeaEsXoXq0XZ~TQwD8chTN4BLohkWGDbXK3piZxCCALoaG-696ZdcEOaKYpMWkF61wRyjlbXLtAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-12T02:49:52Z","article","Mister Allen, a district facilities staff member, told the Connetquot Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 that the district has realized roughly $5,000,000 in savings on its $60,000,000 2022 capital project and is proposing how to spend that money on unfinished work and new scope.

Allen said the savings come from a combination of discounted contract work and in‑house project management, and he urged the board to direct staff and the architect before the district seeks state approvals. \"This district has always done project management in house. Those components have put us in a position where we have approximately $5,000,000 of savings on that $60,000,000 project,\" Allen said.

The presentation covered ongoing and planned work across the district. Allen said the district expects to finish major high‑school work (floors, roof phase 2, electrical upgrades and HVAC for instructional spaces and offices) by September 2025, while work at several elementary schools will continue into 2026 because of long approval and equipment lead times. \"I anticipate all that work being done by September of this year\" for the high school, he said; for some elementary projects he said the state approval and delivery schedule could push completion into spring 2026.

Nut graf: The facilities update asked the board to consider how to use savings from prior bond projects to address remaining work (playgrounds, boilers, ADA access, and gym and cafeteria AC), while explaining state review and long lead times for electrical switchgear and HVAC equipment will delay full completion at some sites.

Playgrounds and UPK: Allen said the district installed UPK playgrounds this summer and is pursuing replacement playgrounds (2019 bond funding) for Pearl, Bosti (Duffield/Basti spelling varied in discussion) and Duffield. He said UPK playgrounds are smaller and separate from the 5–12 playground structures. He described the administration's plan to maximize building aid and said purchase orders for the four UPK playgrounds are in place; material delivery and on‑site work await State Education Department (SED) approval and scheduling.

HVAC and Univent units: Allen explained the district is installing a mix of systems (unit vents, split units, ceiling cassettes and rooftop units) rather than a wholesale UniVent replacement, citing per‑unit costs of $50,000–$60,000 for full UniVent replacements. \"The Univent that we have in the district are are all working. They're adequate,\" Allen said, adding that newer split systems include heat‑pump redundancy so spaces will have two sources of heat.

Schedule constraints: Several board members asked why Pearl and Idle Hour projects lagged. Allen said the district prioritized schools with high special‑education populations and larger student bodies in earlier waves, and that electrical switchgear and associated equipment now face 40–50 week lead times. \"The switch gear has been a year's time,\" he said.

Potential additional scope: Allen proposed considering pool shower/bathroom work, rooftop units that provide heating and cooling instead of replacing upper boilers, upper turf replacement and gym/cafeteria AC, but warned that any change will need board approval, architect scope development and SED review.

Transparency and community reporting: Board members asked for a public online repository showing project timelines, completed items and savings. Allen said he will prepare spreadsheets and photos for the 2019 and 2022 projects and make that information available on the district site.

Quotes and context: Allen repeatedly emphasized state approvals and contractor lead times as the main constraints, and said the district had already used savings from earlier projects (including a 2017–18 balance and 2019 bond leftover) to expand scope without impacting the general fund.

Ending: The board discussed follow‑up steps including sharing a public status page and bringing any recommended scope changes back to the board for authorization and SED submission. \"We'll create those spreadsheets, and I'll highlight in some way what's been completed,\" Allen said.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education - Public Session - 2/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mister Allen, a district facilities staff member, told the Connetquot Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 that the district has realized roughly $5,000,000 in savings on its $60,000,000 2022 capital project and is proposing how to spend that money on unfinished work and new scope.","taxTitle","CONNETQUOT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",67169,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6332738,"Board approves routine financial and personnel items; academic calendar item pulled for revision",102,5654000,5756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a&start=5654&end=5756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a/thumbnail_5654000.jpg","/articles/6332738/New-York/Board-approves-routine-financial-and-personnel-items-academic-calendar-item-pulled-for-revision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332738-65aee6c6e4dd22b141a1b5b5f6def8ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1776316588&Signature=G86eNOYXGY32wf2rCtdOphp8hZ3xz7Xm1X5-kk~rghIC~cvmCc-4vAm~CzJpMkg56b4PQPKJc~ScLrKCZE3370JG59vL7Fc~xjMrwSO75yER98gCPlq50Q-oA7mwHFPIKLte~ZONHVJELH~BIaDuCY95WRne3wmrMGV3WAiV0Q1NRTSW~lkFNePrtJGlBIQw8acKCdp-o1QGSmM12cvnaQkp81oYRO8mpOsOUqaa~su-bByFxbCm5Cv9pZtYLKRr~YBW0Pfn~331bCmeDfkM-9ecVdnkooF4S43~HrVVVQ1AD281SQd2gW6QLQeCVkWfdJkE3EqKbMbOOAOzh5Xa0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connetquot Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 moved and voted on multiple consent and financial agenda items following presentations and public comment.

Lede: The board approved routine financial matters and personnel actions by voice vote and tabled one calendar item for further review of snow‑makeup day placement.

What passed: The board voted to approve financial matters (items 2–8 as presented), to approve instructional and non‑instructional personnel items (including a tenure appointment noted by the superintendent), and to approve the consent agenda with item 7 (the academic/administrative calendar) pulled for revision. The board then approved the remaining consent agenda items (items 2–6 and 8–9) and separately moved to table item 7 pending clarification of snow‑makeup day placement.

Nut graf: Transcripts record voice votes and multiple \"Aye\" responses but do not include a roll‑call tally or named vote counts; minutes will contain the formal record and any roll‑call required by policy.

Procedural notes: The board president called for motions and seconds and members approved items by voice vote. On the academic calendar (item 7), trustees asked staff to revisit the placement of winter/snow‑makeup days (discussion focused on whether makeups should be the Thursday–Friday before Memorial Day, as historically practiced, rather than Friday–Tuesday after the holiday). The board pulled item 7 and approved the remainder of the consent agenda.

Ending: The district clerk will record approvals and the tabling of item 7 in the meeting minutes; staff will return a revised calendar or clarification at a future meeting.","On voice votes the board approved financial matters, personnel appointments and parts of the consent agenda; item 7 (academic calendar snow makeup days) was tabled for revision and returned to a future meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6332742,"Board opens public hearing on real‑property tax exemptions; volunteer firefighters urge retention of exemption",104,1655000,1759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a&start=1655&end=1759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a/thumbnail_1655000.jpg","/articles/6332742/New-York/Board-opens-public-hearing-on-realproperty-tax-exemptions-volunteer-firefighters-urge-retention-of-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332742-f0d720d2ee1de8deb11a01f6d76c584a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776316588&Signature=UURguwa3ruKhmEp8XBWvrfkCrnJO3MxKbvUhXHjQILZatnp2MTojNTj05neoYldH3F3YWiFBK3-Nbr7eefXKa301GBNFmOJueyRZugkL8hfzEsscXalRCGMSj0AgK3QzglikC~Uc3XaUofezswfaCROVY-19wVjsvYigByKEfSxt0yAierxp-J65eMv~imgQC6yeD2zjgt0e4avtez3~FNuB0hYXs1a~tCfQelKHDSy~DroGs4tXv7EiRpUQbVFbJIk9CO8Leb87pKSUOe1Rj8hWeGKqPG8QMy3oSJ2GQedf6-VprJSVjYZHN~nZI-y8V5ErPXATKTmPTf7H8HDl2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connetquot Central School District Board of Education opened a public hearing on Feb. 12 on proposed local real‑property tax exemptions and then closed the hearing after no members of the public spoke during the hearing period. The hearing covered three exemption provisions the district presented: Section 4‑67 (persons aged 65 and older), section 4‑59‑c (persons with disabilities and limited income) and section 4‑66‑a (eligible volunteer firefighters).

Before the hearing was called, David O'Shaughnessy, chief of the Bohemia Fire Department, addressed the board during the first public comment period in support of the volunteer firefighters exemption. O'Shaughnessy said the exemption \"is a major part of our recruitment and retention in the fire service\" and urged the board to \"consider this moving forward.\"

Nut graf: The board formally opened the public hearing on the three real‑property tax exemption provisions, recorded no public comments during the hearing window and adjourned the hearing. Public comments made earlier in the first comment period included a plea from local volunteer fire department leadership to retain or adopt the firefighter exemption as a recruitment and retention tool.

What the board did: The board moved to call the public hearing and the motion passed by voice vote. The hearing was opened, the public was asked if they wished to comment on the specific exemptions, and then the hearing was adjourned and the business meeting reconvened.

Ending: The board will record its consideration of the exemptions in the minutes and any formal adoption or changes to local exemptions would be taken up in subsequent agenda items or meetings.","The board opened and closed a public hearing on several real‑property tax exemptions and heard public comment in support of reinstating or maintaining a volunteer firefighter tax exemption.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6332747,"Board discusses declining enrollment and Cherokee overcrowding; members ask for redistricting and special‑education review",1273,4080000,5353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a&start=4080&end=5353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a/thumbnail_4080000.jpg","/articles/6332747/New-York/Board-discusses-declining-enrollment-and-Cherokee-overcrowding-members-ask-for-redistricting-and-specialeducation-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332747-aeae28eaa214bbf486f30c94df44a496/orig.mp4?Expires=1776316588&Signature=TdlJ41GZ~J~lSDYVH-k4NiiuKe6ReBRGijRgm4M85JE7PgW9wKAmcM9I-vxAeru~mT1bzUYovVbX-IL2zTjNm-I8JVcnkD1IdWlljG4dXP43eJAnBJf3dSppEX75kCAbSIN7V8bSOoyrvDo0O1aOINOvBV9okqAX5A6zltdZjjEkfCxaxqM4LV1p2s-LTYydif5NwICWFJ1NzdOftfWObJi29S3aSE92wYV2uunYStiHQEX4Db6bdsrFN1qv~uC7pj3JAVStLvab1n2d6nZvbIcS2MFQYNSuO3ZPbXVGU4jhwvoZhA~zpcxi8E3trTuZcciaYewPPF1C5kABhB~Lug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff and board members spent a lengthy section of the Feb. 12 meeting reviewing enrollment projections and elementary staffing. The presentation, led by district budget and enrollment staff, showed total district enrollment at 5,227 students (January 31 snapshot) and traced a multi‑year decline from a high in previous decades.

Nut graf: Board members said the distribution of students across elementary schools is inequitable—Cherokee Elementary was singled out as crowded—and asked staff to return with data and cost estimates for redistricting, moving special‑education programs, or other phased approaches to rebalance enrollments.

Administrators presented the district's enrollment history and projection model. An enrollment slide showed kindergarten projections by building and classroom‑section counts; staff noted kindergarten projections are used to estimate subsequent years. The elementary staffing slide referenced budget guidelines (K–2 target 22 students per class; grades 3–5 25 students per class).

Board concerns: Multiple board members said Cherokee has far more students than several other elementary schools and asked for an analysis of options ranging from moving programs to a formal redistricting study. \"We have a building with 590 students in an elementary school ... something has to be done,\" one trustee said. Members discussed phased strategies that would avoid displacing existing students, such as applying boundary changes only to incoming cohorts.

Special education programming: Trustees and staff discussed whether consolidating or spreading special‑education programs contributed to uneven school populations. Staff said earlier decisions to consolidate programming were budgetary: some program models had insufficient enrollment to operate in every building. Administrators agreed to prepare a districtwide breakdown of special‑education placements and classroom availability to inform options.

Process and next steps: Trustees asked staff to get pricing and scopes from BOCES for a potential redistricting or enrollment study; staff agreed to assemble program counts, unused classroom capacity and options for phased implementation that minimize disruption for current students.

Ending: Board members emphasized equity and asked for data that shows classroom availability, special‑education distribution, and short‑ and long‑term scenarios. The board did not vote on policy changes at the meeting.","Board members and administrators discussed district enrollment trends, elementary class‑size projections and special‑education distributions. Several trustees asked staff to analyze redistricting and options for relocating programs to ease overcrowding at Cherokee Elementary.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6332752,"Connectquot food service reports jump in breakfast participation after CEP rollout; program remains self‑sustaining",248,3776000,4024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a&start=3776&end=4024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2305113-37141ba9191635c5fc4de8f8a6df174a/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6332752/New-York/Connectquot-food-service-reports-jump-in-breakfast-participation-after-CEP-rollout-program-remains-selfsustaining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332752-9719ad0d9669234f306f50e0277217c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776316588&Signature=dlEaH89GGZ8nZHqUAqKsFepf6~11G66TPzjQ4n~Fq8PyIapqb3MXSsY-6f4KMx8ojUo0IYT8BAiFzox3CxJzfhoEEACubLCo444ojDlsDN93joxA-O0iLOY4iyzo2eRSq9R2BWZVNTweNcK3nrDPfHmvcD7TuqoZHJJmzxTu4qaOK2MePVMBm~iZ6AYhLV7fuJrmwuND9Y4Z5bOB2pzYMhpyMiSC4wWYYpU71EygaA1oJuyfpJedeXERZryt03EEineYRSUglpD1FmM0HBkT-FFBG9VlaRVa3U3ektvteHzZqekyBx5E3yaux4V2V-fCp4tUWNR0Y8I5WBwzGjzEmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mister Hauser, the district food‑service presenter, told the Board of Education on Feb. 12 that the district's food‑service operation is financially self‑sustaining and that participation increased markedly since the launch of the community eligibility provision (CEP) last March.

\"Our food service program here is 100% self sustaining financially,\" Hauser said. He told the board that nine schools participate in CEP and one building uses a separate waiver program.

Hauser presented month‑to‑month comparisons for January 2024 and January 2025. He said breakfast participation was especially notable: \"This past January, we did over 30,000 breakfast meals,\" Hauser said, compared with 818 breakfast meals in January 2024 on the slide he displayed. He noted those January figures reflect total monthly service days rather than per‑day counts.

Nut graf: The district attributed the sharp increase in breakfast service to CEP and staff efforts; Hauser said lunch service remained roughly steady, a la carte sales declined and the management fee to Aramark ticked up consistent with higher meal volumes.

Hauser said the program's revenue mix includes federal and state reimbursements and paid customers (students and staff). He displayed a profitability line showing the program covers its management costs and operating expenses; the district general fund does not subsidize food service.

Board members asked whether some parents might be unaware that a la carte items remain available for purchase now that lunches are free. Hauser said the district would review menu and communication practices.

Ending: The board thanked Hauser and food‑service staff and directors for the program rollout, and members expressed support for continuing to promote CEP and guest‑chef events across schools.","Food service director told the board the district's community eligibility provision (CEP) program, started last March, has driven a large rise in meals served while the program remains self‑sustaining and requires no general‑fund support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Connetquot facilities chief outlines timeline, $5M savings and air‑conditioning delays for $60M bond work

Board approves routine financial and personnel items; academic calendar item pulled for revision

Board opens public hearing on real‑property tax exemptions; volunteer firefighters urge retention of exemption

Board discusses declining enrollment and Cherokee overcrowding; members ask for redistricting and special‑education review

Connectquot food service reports jump in breakfast participation after CEP rollout; program remains self‑sustaining