A: A capital project bond is a way for school districts to finance large-scale improvements—such as building repairs, renovations, and safety upgrades—by borrowing money and repaying it over time, often with the support of state aid.

A: The proposed bond prioritizes critical infrastructure improvements, student safety, and modernized learning environments across all Mt. Sinai schools. If approved, the bond will fund:

1. District-Wide Site Improvements:

• Reconstruction of the roadway from the Route 25A entrance through the Elementary and Middle School
• Paving of parking lots at both the Elementary and Middle Schools
• Construction of a new turf field located between the Middle and High School

2. Elementary School Upgrades:

• Full roof replacement
• Renovation of student bathrooms
• Library renovation
• Playground updates

3. Middle School Upgrades:

• Replacement of windows
• Partial roof replacement, Coat Standing Seam
• Renovation of student bathrooms

4. High School Upgrades:

• Replacement of auditorium seats and floor upgrades

Replacement of gutters and installation of ice guards, Coat Standing Seam

A: Secondary projects represent additional facility improvements the district will pursue only if there are excess funds available within the total approved bond amount. These projects are not guaranteed, but if all priority items are completed under budget, the district will begin addressing items from the secondary list.

The proposed bond total includes contingencies for tariffs, material cost increases, and market fluctuations, ensuring that core priorities are fully covered first.

Secondary project examples include:
Elementary School

• Masonry and siding repairs
• Operable walls
• Classroom ceiling updates
• New gym wall pads (2)
   

Middle School

• Operable walls
• Flooring replacements
• Café serving line and ceiling upgrades
• Locker replacements
• Masonry repairs
• Auditorium lighting
   

High School

• Masonry repairs
• Cafeteria lighting
• Gym HVAC improvements
   

District-Wide

• Mechanical and electrical upgrades
• High School paving
• New Elementary School admin lot
• Stadium lighting upgrades
• Sidewalk improvements
• Pre-engineered storage building
   

These enhancements will further support student success and facility functionality, pending the availability of remaining bond funds.

A: The proposed projects were identified through a multi-year planning process that included input from district administrators, architects, facilities staff, and the Board of Education. The district also conducted a required Building Condition Survey (BCS), which evaluates the health and safety of all school facilities. Priority was given to projects that address critical repairs, improve safety, and enhance the educational experience for students.

A: This bond proposal is a critical investment in safe buildings, functional spaces, and high-quality facilities that will benefit our students and community for decades to come. By acting now, the district can:

• Create safe, modern learning environments that support student success and well-being
• Address aging infrastructure before it leads to costlier emergency repairs
• Take advantage of low interest rates and 78% state aid to minimize the local tax burden
• Upgrade essential spaces like libraries, bathrooms, playgrounds, and the auditorium
• Improve shared-use areas including athletic fields and district roadways

A: The total bond amount is $27,993,200. Thanks to the district’s high state aid rate of 78%, the majority of the cost will be reimbursed by New York State.

For residents, the average annual tax impact is estimated at $221.72, or about $18.47 per month, based on a home with an assessed value of $3,700—the average assessed value in Mount Sinai.

Please note: Assessed value is not the same as market value. The Town of Brookhaven uses assessed value to determine property taxes. You can visit the town’s website or view your tax bill to find your home's assessed value if you'd like to estimate your specific impact.

A: The bond referendum budget is organized into broad priority areas to show where the funds will be allocated. These categories reflect the most critical needs across the district, while recognizing that exact costs for individual projects (such as the roof, elementary school bathrooms, or turf field) will only be determined after state approval and competitive bidding.

Here’s the current estimated breakdown by priority:

• Building Envelope – $10,169,000
  (Roofing, siding, masonry, windows)
   
• Interior Improvements – $5,109,000
  (Bathrooms, library, auditorium, flooring, and other updates)
   
• Site Work – $7,383,000
  (Playgrounds, parking, paving and roadway repairs, athletic facilities)
   
• Mechanical & Hazmat – $666,667
  (Critical systems and safe remediation)
   
• Soft Costs – $4,665,533
  (Legal, bonding, engineering, construction management, testing, contingencies)
   

Total Estimated Bond: $27,993,200

A: There are several reasons why the costs are presented in broad categories at this stage:

• Early Planning Stage – The focus now is on securing the funding authority needed to complete all of these priorities, not assigning final line-item costs.
   
• Market Conditions – Construction costs for materials and labor can change rapidly, so “specific” figures now could be inaccurate later.
   
• Competitive Bidding – By law, all projects must go out to bid, and the district won’t know the actual costs for items like the roof, bathrooms, or library until contractor proposals are reviewed.
   
• Unforeseen Conditions – Renovation work may reveal issues that can only be addressed once construction begins, affecting both scope and cost.
   
• Transparency – We want to avoid giving residents numbers that may later prove significantly over or under the actual costs. Presenting broad categories now ensures expectations are realistic and accurate.

A: School district budgets are funded through a combination of state aid and local property taxes, and are carefully allocated to support educational programs, staffing, student services, and basic facility maintenance. While the annual budget covers routine repairs and day-to-day upkeep, it is not designed to absorb the cost of major capital improvements.

Large-scale projects—such as those included on our current priority list—are too costly to include in a single year’s operating budget without creating an unreasonable burden on taxpayers. That’s why school districts propose bond measures: to fund critical infrastructure needs over time while maximizing state aid.

A: If the bond does not pass, the district will not receive state aid for the proposed projects, and critical repairs may still need to be addressed through the general operating budget. This could lead to higher costs over time and impact programs, staffing, or educational services

A: The district anticipates financing the bond over a period of approximately 15 years, aligning with the expected lifespan of the improvements being made. This structure spreads the cost over time, so current and future residents who benefit from the facilities contribute to their funding.

A: The bond vote will take place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Mount Sinai High School, located on Route 25A (North Country Road) in Mount Sinai, New York.

Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will remain open as long as necessary to allow all voters present at that time to cast their ballots.

A: Voters who are unable to vote in person may request an absentee or early mail ballot from the District Clerk’s Office. Applications must be submitted by:

• September 18, 2025 if the ballot is to be mailed
• September 24, 2025 if the ballot will be picked up in person
   

All completed ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2025 to be counted.

A: There are several ways to get informed and involved:

• Visit our website for detailed information, resources, and FAQs.
• Attend our upcoming Town Hall Meeting on September 10 at 7:00 PM in the Mt. Sinai High School Library for an in-depth presentation and live Q&A.
• Email the district with any specific questions.
• Watch past presentations—Board of Education meetings and previous Town Hall Meetings are recorded and available on our Mt. Sinai School District YouTube channel.

Sure! Click here for a printed version of these questions.

Yes. While the turf field will primarily serve our students, it will also be available to outside organizations in accordance with the district’s established facility use requirements. State law regulates how school facilities and fields may be used by community groups. The addition of a turf field will create more opportunities and space for approved leagues, practices, and tournaments, with associated fees collected in line with district policy. User levels and fee schedules are available on the district’s Building and Facility Use page.

A: The last bond vote took place on December 11, 2018. Mount Sinai School District proposed a $25 million bond, which did not pass. The final vote was 664–428.

A: The proposed roadway work is entirely on district property, so it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Town of Brookhaven or New York State. Route 25A itself is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), but because the entranceway project is located on school property, funding would not come from the Town or State. If the Bond is approved, the district will submit plans to New York State for review and approval of the entranceway reconstruction.

A: If the Bond does not pass this Fall, the Board of Education will determine the next steps. This could include addressing some of the proposed projects using the district’s limited capital reserve funds or considering the option of placing a revised bond proposition on the ballot during the Annual Budget Vote in the Spring. However, delaying until Spring or a later vote carries the risk that the current state reimbursement rate could change, potentially lowering the amount of aid the district would receive.

A: Solar panels are not part of the current Bond proposal. However, the district has already begun an Energy Performance Project, which is a state-approved process in New York that reviews school buildings to identify energy-saving upgrades. This project will install solar panels along with improvements such as LED lighting and heating/cooling efficiencies.

In New York State, Energy Performance Projects are designed so that the energy savings pay for the cost of the improvements over time, with no added tax burden. These projects also qualify for state building aid, and the energy services company guarantees the level of savings—meaning if the savings fall short, the company must reimburse the district for the difference. Installing a new roof at the elementary school would help as we add solar panels in the future as part of this process.

A: The district is using multiple methods to ensure all residents are informed. Families with school-aged children have received information through ParentSquare, the district website, and in-person presentations such as the elementary school open house. Residents without school-aged children have been reached through direct mailings to all district households, flyers placed in businesses and libraries, updates shared at local civic meetings, community canvassing by volunteers, radio announcements, and social media. In this way, the district is working to make sure every resident has access to Bond Referendum information.