East Hampton voters to decide $64M facilities bond and two community-use projects on May 19

Voters in the East Hampton School District will decide on May 19 whether to fund a major set of building projects that the district says are intended to address long-deferred repairs and expand community recreational space.

The first proposition would authorize roughly $64 million in borrowing for ‘needs’ including overhauls of the high school and middle-school auditoriums, window replacements at the middle school, elementary-school bathroom upgrades, roofing and security improvements across the district’s three schools, and repairs to athletic facilities such as the track and tennis courts. District officials told LTV East End News that Proposition 1 is intended to replace expiring debt from a 30-year bond so the overall budget would not increase.

If Proposition 1 is approved, two additional, linked propositions would also be eligible for passage. Proposition 2 would fund construction of an indoor swimming pool estimated at about $45.7 million to be available to the public outside school hours. Proposition 3 would fund an indoor athletic facility with a basketball court and turf field, estimated at roughly $18.54 million. The station reported that Proposition 2 can pass only if Proposition 1 passes, and Proposition 3 can pass only if Proposition 2 passes; unlike Proposition 1, the district said Propositions 2 and 3 would carry an associated tax increase.

District officials and board members have held community discussions and framed the ballot items as a combination of ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ identified by residents. A public hearing is scheduled for May 5 at 6:00 p.m.; the district’s website has full details and staff are available to answer questions.

Because the proposals are linked, voters considering the pool or athletic facility should note that those propositions cannot be approved independently of the prior measures. The district’s pledge that Proposition 1 would not raise taxes is tied to its plan to borrow an amount comparable to expiring debt; details about the precise tax impact if Propositions 2 or 3 pass were described by the district as resulting in an increase and should be confirmed with the district before voting.

The May 5 public hearing will be the next formal opportunity for residents to ask questions and for the district to provide more detailed fiscal information. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the district pursues the projects and, if approved, how construction and community use will be scheduled and financed.