Pleasantville school board to finalize ballot language for $17.5 million facilities package

The board chair outlined two capital propositions totaling $17.5 million that will appear on the May 19 ballot and said the measures would fund security and accessibility upgrades, STEAM and classroom improvements, and athletic and site work.

The proposals are split in two parts: Proposition 1, at $8.25 million, covers expedited infrastructure needs such as auditorium lighting upgrades, water pumps, HVAC equipment, PA and phone systems, perimeter fencing, and security entrance improvements including an ADA-accessible lift. Proposition 2, at $9.25 million, covers the remaining work including replacing some turf with natural grass, reconfiguring outdoor footprints to broaden usable play areas, accessible playground equipment, districtwide STEAM interactive displays and new makerspaces, science classroom upgrades, arts/auditorium component replacements, and athletics improvements such as a concession structure, public restrooms, a resurfaced basketball court and new field lighting.

The chair said the athletics lighting will use LED dark-sky-certified poles to limit spill and that the board will develop an accompanying lighting and mitigation policy at upcoming meetings. he also emphasized that these capital proposals are separate from the district's annual operating budget; both the operating budget and trustee elections will take place on May 19 alongside the capital propositions.

On funding, the chair noted that roughly 53% of the borrowed money for the capital project is expected to be reimbursed by state aid, a factor the district said makes a project of this scale feasible. The chair directed listeners to the district's online materials and a posted Q&A for additional detail and said the board will review and has the opportunity later in the meeting to approve the formal legal wording that must appear on the ballot.