Ossining School Bond Fails by 522 Votes

Voters in the Ossining Union Free School District have rejected a $69 million bond marked for a series of renovations and expansions for each of the district's schools.

The results were 2,055 votes against versus 1,533 votes in favor, a difference of 522 votes, according to figures posted on the district's website.

The goal of the bond vote had been to finance renovations of the schools in the face of challenges such as higher enrollment, state mandates and deteriorating buildings, Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Glassman wrote in a recent letter to district residents.

The proposal included an expansion and renovation of Claremont School, and renovations at Ossining High School and Anne M. Dorner Middle School. According to the district's projected timeline, construction at Brookside was estimated to take place from June 2012 to August 2013. At the high school, that timeline was estimated to be a phased construction and move in, from March 2012 to August 2015. At Anne M. Dorner (AMD) it was estimated to last from June 2013 to March 2016, with moving in complete by June 2016.

The debate over whether to approve or reject the bond was contentious. Supporters, such as the group Ossining Yes, echoed the district's argument that higher enrollment and aging buildings warranted the expense. Opponents, such as the Facebook group Ossining Taxpayers, expressed concerns about the tax impact.

Opponents of the project, on a Facebook group, conveyed their satisfaction with the results in posts.

"Confirmation juat received it appears the bond has gone DOWN by 500 votes, thanks everyone and special thanks to all our Ossining Indians!" wrote Linda Cabral Marrero.

"Question is will they finally get the message????" wrote Sharon Luby Abreau.

The property tax impact would have been an estimated average annual increase, over a 10-year period, of $15.90 for Ossining residents, $38.90 for western New Castle residents and $32.60 for Yorktown residents, according to projections from the district.

For more details on what was proposed in the defeated bond, click here for the district's website, where results have been posted.