Hastings Residents Approve $8.1 Million School District Facilities Plan

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- School district residents approved two propositions Wednesday, March 26, for $8.1 million worth of repairs and improvements to the district's three school buildings and two athletic field complexes.

Artist's conceptions of possible new athletic fields at two Hastings school district sites were on display for residents who cast votes on an $8.1 million facilities bond proposal.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Artist's rendering of proposed renovations on athletic fields at two Hastings school district sites.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

by Danny LoPriore

03/26/2014 10:00 p.m.

Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition I by a vote of 1,040 to 266 to allow the district to allocate $8,081,147, including a $7.5 million bond, to repair and upgrade schools buildings, install a new running track at Reynolds Field and build new athletic fields at the Burke Estate.

Proposition II passed by a vote of 961 to 271 and will allow the district to use an additional $569,554 in district funds to arrange the new field at the Burke Estate athletic complex in a tiered layout.

Taxpayers are currently paying $270 per household per year for the two existing bonds ($13.7 million), which will be fully paid in three years. Taxpayers would pay $155 per year beginning in 2017 if the new $7.5 million bond were approved.

District residents rejected an earlier proposal in October 2013. That plan would have included the use of artificial surfaces on the Reynolds Field athletic complex, which met with opposition from a majority of voters.

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