[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6279081,"mediaKeyId","2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155","parentId",2626119,"title","Budget presentation outlines roughly $10 million in capital work, turf-field proposition and May budget timetable","audioSeconds",1636,"startMs",1687000,"endMs",3323000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155&start=1687&end=3323","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155/thumbnail_1687000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279081/New-York/Budget-presentation-outlines-roughly-10-million-in-capital-work-turf-field-proposition-and-May-budget-timetable","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279081-0e6ac688453a7218ef5d17e033644ea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205148&Signature=ZZOIJE9Jatu3eezAscntA4qEuONow7iE7nfvCtrmit5x4U4bISnLWmIKBbSSpwTgIPfF8hFlvGZlef4lyJXPHweOt~93Isfgz0aOk6d0ctEtOcNae6215rlhih5VYgTU3Y72OmPYNxtad2odU2n2A67D0FKmCMZYc6pXg9yV3HbZ7hZ5gN1ljlyn8AQn61a3txGhR0HIC9GQp-Zfl9TtqkiJnbnkizN~lyEryYmVmQy16K6LakLRRrWTvzXRra8Oo3LOA5ENzc~6VtX-iyqez-aRt8SaHjuWOQz6BClDtC2d-7Sko7EYYu1U4ML-4SL-xRsdw4LxvJxTR0xVd9pUzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-13T13:33:23Z","article","Deputy Superintendent and school business official Mr. O'Keefe presented the board with a draft general-fund budget that the district is keeping “basically flat,” while proposing roughly $10 million in capital work and outlining a schedule that would place a facilities proposition on the May ballot.

Why it matters: The presentation set the timetable for formal budget adoption and the community vote (adoption April 22; public hearing May 12; budget vote May 20) and explained how a capital-reserve proposition to fund a turf field and related site work at North could move from voter approval to construction only after a lengthy state approval process.

Mr. O'Keefe said the district expects the tax‑levy cap calculation for next year to allow a 3.05% levy increase and described the draft budget as holding current programs and staffing intact without additions. “This is a year in which the budget is staying basically flat. There's no addition of any new programming, no addition of additional staff members,” he said.

The administration identified about $10 million in proposed capital investments for the coming year. Major items called out in the presentation included a more-than-$7 million renovation to the South High School auditorium, a dust‑collection and exhaust system for the South High robotics lab, replacement of a hot‑water storage system in the South plant, a footbridge and other work at JFK, a large section of Lakeville's roof, renovations of two South Building bathrooms at Village School, and replacement of one of the boilers at Cumberland. The presentation also listed continued security upgrades (cameras and access control) and funding for security staff.

On athletics and site work, administrators proposed a multi‑part project at North (described in the presentation as North Middle School site improvements) that could include a synthetic playing surface, refurbished track, new grandstand and press box, upgraded restrooms connected to sewer (replacing a cesspool), a concession stand, new pedestrian walkways, and compliant field lighting. The administration said that if the board places a proposition before voters and it passes, the district still must seek design review and approval from the New York State Education Department (SED) before bidding or construction; Mr. O'Keefe said the SED review can take “literally 40 weeks or more.”

Cost comparisons and maintenance: The architects provided two cost options for the North field complex — a turf option at about $8.4 million and a sod (grass) option at about $6.8 million, with the sod plan including irrigation and restrictions on immediate use. The presentation said turf carpets typically carry warranties of roughly eight years and overall field carpet life of 10–12 years, and that re‑carpeting costs in present dollars are roughly $1 million to $1.2 million when replacement is required.

Transportation and other noninstructional costs were highlighted as significant budget drivers. The administration showed about $16.2 million for contractual transportation (buses), broken down in the presentation to roughly $5 million for public transportation, about $6.9 million for private‑school transportation and roughly $4.3 million for special‑education and other trips. Mr. O'Keefe noted that transportation contract adjustments are tied to a May Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure rather than to the tax‑levy cap and therefore can exceed the levy increase.

The presentation also flagged a likely increase in general‑fund spending for recreation and summer programs (to about $1.3 million) because COVID grant support that previously covered part of the program has ended; administrators said parental fees offset much of that projected expense on the revenue side.

Timeline and next steps: The district’s formal schedule in the presentation calls for a later budget hearing and adoption sequence: a wrap‑up presentation later this month, formal adoption of the budget on April 22, a public hearing on May 12, and the annual budget vote on May 20 (voting hours listed as 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at four locations). The administration said even with a successful May vote, projects typically require design approvals and permitting from the SED before contractors may be engaged, meaning construction often begins the summer after the vote.

“We literally post the building permit on the site just like you would at home, and that's our authorization then to move forward, publicly bid out the project and go from there,” Mr. O'Keefe said when describing the SED review and permitting process.

Ending: The board is scheduled to receive a second budget presentation later this month that will focus on instructional spending; the administration said it will recommend the board decide soon whether to put the capital‑reserve proposition on the May ballot so the item can meet the required 30‑day pre‑vote posting deadline.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GNPS BOE Meeting - 3/12/2025 at Baker","oneSentenceSummary","Deputy Superintendent and school business official Mr. O'Keefe presented the board with a draft general‑fund budget that the district is keeping “basically flat,” while proposing roughly $10 million in capital work and outlining a schedule that would place a facilities proposition on the May ballot.","taxTitle","GREAT NECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38327,"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},6279074,"Students raise concerns about security‑guard staffing; administration says district is focusing on hires with law‑enforcement experience",600,4600000,5200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155&start=4600&end=5200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155/thumbnail_4600000.jpg","/articles/6279074/New-York/Students-raise-concerns-about-securityguard-staffing-administration-says-district-is-focusing-on-hires-with-lawenforcement-experience","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279074-06558a08a31aef372babc139fd3dc5a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205148&Signature=Et0NawcrLvbMjMg0q8FzSLb4jM6ZK2t0gHQGVPPxCfeeSxGbXQMwvO2VvUqBrrp1~qS5sZonIDCjUPkK3aSz5SiTJvxoZPJ~3jqKm4ACOrugEw8qs-dVMsxyF5hLQXqjvyOiBJWW88T4dGUlQ5LmIATrLVm9RZjsSupP7Ors7cU7IkXWQlzllRO88rdwRXj0oo8DspVeRtt3r7Z7xieYE1rHk9jZleEuxMXoF6OZcRF4LhWP8nci8KZNh9M~a8Noqe64vEg4m7pZwxhTcleEf2ZQeioT9Ezw~Thrlm2flH5qv3NjI2rQ-c8spV5lxG4vuOLTPjRstDcHEhT-CgHRCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students at South High used the public‑comment period to ask the board to restore a well‑known evening security guard and to seek clarity about changes to the district’s security‑staffing approach.

Why it matters: The comments combined personal appeals about an individual guard’s presence and enforcement of building procedures with a request for transparency around a shift the administration described as a hiring focus that favors former law‑enforcement officers.

Kevin Qua, a South High sophomore, told the board the evening guard “was more than just a regular security guard” and described the guard as a role model who checked in with students after practices, announced late buses and helped ensure students’ safe rides home. “His presence wasn't just about security. It's about trust,” Kevin said.

Another student, Yoo Jin Sun, said they had tried to locate written guidance about the change and received inconsistent answers. “I have yet to hear a definite answer on what this policy is and who advocated for this policy,” the student said, asking the board to confirm whether a formal policy change had been made.

Superintendent Dr. Bossert replied that the district must be careful with the word “policy.” He said the change is an administrative focus or initiative (not a board‑adopted policy) to work with the contracted security firm (named in the meeting as Arrow) to prioritize candidates with former law‑enforcement experience. “There has definitively been an effort, by the administration and leadership with the contracted security guard firm we use, Arrow, to hire guards with former law enforcement experience,” he said, adding that the administration believes those candidates bring a desired skill set for protecting students, staff and facilities. Dr. Bossert said that, to his knowledge, the district is “over 95%” staffed by guards with law‑enforcement backgrounds.

Dr. Bossert also cautioned that personnel matters cannot be discussed in public meetings when they are confidential, but he affirmed that student voice matters and said administrators had heard the concerns raised during public comment.

Ending: The administration invited students who had questions to continue discussions with school leaders and said that staffing practices are implemented through the district’s contracted provider and through administrative hiring practices rather than as a board‑adopted policy change.","Several students urged the board to restore a familiar evening security guard at South High and sought clarity about a staffing change. Superintendent Dr. Bossert said the district has an initiative — in partnership with its contracted firm — to hire guards with prior law‑enforcement experience and said the share of such hires is now over 95%.",{"_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},6279075,"Board approves minutes, communications, donations, policies and personnel in unanimous votes",130,4030000,4160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155&start=4030&end=4160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2626119-7323a113454e9427fb592d4301d8b155/thumbnail_4030000.jpg","/articles/6279075/New-York/Board-approves-minutes-communications-donations-policies-and-personnel-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279075-0cf7a9f7063c1af3688b5881d04c3886/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205148&Signature=VAu0U~jK0Ub-jb9i7mnbqhSarG1OW0uieOecnZ~HK085oXj0ygKl1MWynhnrlzThH0FTdg1nHrL0Soaw10sBoVmfCnb2ywOonRwLDvdaj8yWu6atjk8hVrU-cxM5kvBGqgL6acSouZvjgigcNXfpWiBwIhK1Aa6b1OkM0AeKH8A9PRoc2jzuG7RPdcJs-q-0GuK1gUVxWHLTUf868zhyZzteUJLiP32PHXq7k6urUo2wJHj-6t7px3cvSx7H7qyTvmznrHylC7JGG5iJSMXLSEgXudCy2pr-pjxVZBMQxxPkIl0fxRus8VIAUv67-pduJydKgQNIm5Yn0AJyjz4-Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Great Neck Union Free School District Board of Education recorded a series of unanimous votes on routine and personnel items at its meeting.

At the start of the meeting the board approved minutes for the February 11 and February 13 meetings and accepted two letters from residents as communications; each motion passed by voice vote recorded as 4–0. The board also approved donations and scholarship awards listed on the agenda (items 9a and 9b) by a 4–0 vote.

Policy adoptions: The board accepted three policies on second read and adopted them by a 4–0 recorded vote: Policy 42‑30 (Curriculum Adoption and Management), Policy 81‑15 (Pesticide and Pest Management) and Policy 91‑50 (Staff‑Student Relationships, non‑fraternization). The policy committee represented the proposals to the board for second reading before the vote.

Consent agenda and personnel: The board approved a consent agenda covering items 11b through 14h (motion recorded as item 11a) by a 4–0 vote. Embedded in the personnel portion of the consent agenda were labor agreements to fill two building leadership positions: Tom DePaola, approved to begin Monday as acting principal at North High School, and Jerry DeCarlo, approved to begin at South High School (appointments approved via the personnel/labor agreements listed on the consent agenda). Each of those personnel approvals was part of the consent motion and carried with the 4–0 vote.

Motions, votes and tallies recorded in the meeting transcript were uniformly recorded as voice votes and listed as 4–0 for the motions above; no roll‑call with member names was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: The board proceeded to other business after the consent votes, including the budget presentation later in the agenda.

","The Great Neck Union Free School District Board of Education approved routine business and personnel moves in a series of unanimous votes: approval of minutes, acceptance of communications, donations, adoption of three policies, consent agenda and labor agreements filling two high‑school leadership roles.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Budget presentation outlines roughly $10 million in capital work, turf-field proposition and May budget timetable

Students raise concerns about security‑guard staffing; administration says district is focusing on hires with law‑enforcement experience

Board approves minutes, communications, donations, policies and personnel in unanimous votes