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District to seek legislative grants for playground, tennis-stair repairs and other capital needs
Summary
Following meetings with state legislators, Port Washington UFSD said it sent a letter about state funding and will submit grant requests for a set of capital projects including phase 2 of a playground, stair repairs at Whitney Field, and other items; the committee recommended copying both assembly and senate offices.
Members of the Port Washington Union Free School District budget committee discussed recent outreach to state legislators and plans to submit grant requests for several capital projects, including phase 2 of the Sousa playground, replacement of aging stairs that serve Whitney Field and the Montford lot, and other one‑time items.
Committee members said the district sent a letter to the governor, the commissioner of education and local legislative offices outlining concerns about state aid and the district’s funding position. Administrators said the district had previously accepted a $125,000 playground grant from an assembly office and is working with legislative staff on timing and project completion for the existing award.
For the current requests, staff and trustees identified three priority capital asks for potential legislative funding: (1) funding to complete phase 2 of the Sousa playground (administration referenced an amount of $1.25 million as a possible target for this component); (2) replacement of multiple exterior stair runs that serve Whitney Field and campus lots (trustees cited a preliminary contractor quote of approximately $523,000 for two sections and an additional separate archway/entrance quote of about $77,000); and (3) other site repairs and accessibility or safety work. Trustees recommended submitting requests to both the assembly member who met with the district and the state senator to pursue discretionary funding from multiple offices.
Nut graf: Because many of these projects are capital in nature, administrators said they would treat legislative grants as one-time capital funding rather than recurring operating revenue; if grant money arrived it could free district funds currently budgeted for capital transfers.
Administrators and trustees also discussed whether certain projects, such as bus purchases, should be included in grant requests. The committee emphasized that grants can take time and that the district should not assume pledged legislative funds will immediately cover operating needs.
Ending: The committee asked staff to prepare formal grant request materials and a draft letter to the senator and assembly member; a follow-up and the materials will be included in the board packet for the next meeting.
