Center Moriches High School to get refurbished auditorium after votes passes

The Center Moriches school district passed a proposition to allow the district to draw from its capital reserve to fund a renovation of the Center Moriches High School’s auditorium at no additional cost to taxpayers. The proposition passed with 745 yes votes to 222 no votes.

The auditorium seats, according to musical theater director Nancy Harkin, are “years beyond repair” and need to be fixed.

“This is extremely meaningful for us and so important,” she said. “It’s important to come out and vote; it’s definitely a necessity for the kids and everybody. The auditorium is a meeting place for the whole school community. It’s something we should be proud of.”

The proposed project would include new auditorium seating, flooring, curtains, a fresh coat of paint, and a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. Prop 2 will be for the district to use $1.2 million of the capital reserve to fund the renovation of the high school auditorium. The original reserve was approved by voters in May of 2022.

The reserve is funded with surplus from the previous year’s end and cannot exceed $5,000,000 at any point in time. Last month, voters approved the district to use the capital reserve to pay for projects.

Additionally, the district is looking to fund a capital outlay project to renovate their fourth-grade girls’ bathroom, which will be fully funded by the New York State Education Department.

According to the district, the areas of enhancement in the overall budget will include technology upgrades (Chromebook charging stations, an advanced sound system for public meetings); sports intramurals during offseason and uniform replacements; funding for an elementary literacy program to enhance alignment and student achievement; and the development of an elementary report card that will improve parent-to-school communication and support. 

Additionally, the budget has safety and facility improvements, including additional cameras, replacement of exterior doors, a facility supervisor that will increase accountability and greater oversight, and facility management software that will increase productivity.

CM and ESM Schools districts pass budgets

Center Moriches passed their budget with a total of 646 yes votes to 333 no votes.  Board candidates Shawn Walsh and John Thoms were elected with 482 and 627 votes, respectively. Incumbent Lauren Slionski had 430 votes. The vote was at-large.

The Eastport-South Manor School district passed their $119,194,650 budget with 492 yes votes to 308 no votes. Trustees Cristina Costanza, 503 votes; Francesco Ferraro, 449 votes; and David Samartino, 502 votes, were elected.