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050704 Voting yes will reap benefits in BCSD
To the Editor
I write to urge residents of the Bedford Central School District to vote "yes" on Proposition 2 on Tuesday, May 18. Proposition 2 does not increase school taxes but does seek taxpayer approval to use unexpended revenues from the current 2003-04 school year to purchase classroom furnishings and complete capital projects totaling $1,960,000. Voter approval would provide $500,000 for furniture and equipment for the new additions at Fox Lane High School and the Mount Kisco and Pound Ridge elementary schools, as well as $580,000 in high priority capital projects at all seven of our school buildings.
Proposition 2 also includes $880,000for the installation of artificial-turf surfaces on the high school's main contest field and the baseball and softball infields. Over the past two and a half years the Fox Lane-George Morell Memorial Stadium Foundation has raised over $500,000 through community donations - both large and small - to install stadium seating and lighting at Fox Lane High School's main contest field. These investments have been welcome additions to the Fox Lane sports program. For the first time in Fox Lane history, fans have been provided with a place to sit up off the mud and grass. And evening football, soccer, and lacrosse games under the lights have become wonderfully well-attended and anticipated community events.
While these stadium improvements have made a world of difference, installation of artificial turf on the stadium field will allow for a threefold increase in the number of athletic contests that can be played in this wonderful new facility Snow, mud, and even nightfall will cease to be the obstacles. they once were. Far fewer games will need to be moved off-site, and teams will benefit from increased practice space and time, as well. The turf drains rapidly, is safe for players, is fully warranted for a decade, and will require far less in terms of routine maintenance time and expense.
Those of us with children involved in sports know that more and more schools and communities are investing in artificial-turf fields. The Bedford school district is in the unique position this year of being able to finance this installation-through $760 000 in excess fund balance and $120,000 in newly pledged community donations. Again no new taxes are required'
On Tuesday, May 18, please vote "yes" on Proposition 2 as well as Proposition 1 (the 2004-05 proposed school budget).