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Clarkstown $36 Million School Bond Vote Sails To Victory

CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. -- Voters in the Clarkstown School District on Thursday approved a $36.2 million bond to repair aging school facilities after a tense battle that played out on Facebook.

Clarkstown School Bond Passes

Clarkstown School Bond Passes

Photo Credit: Clarkstown Facebook Page Clarkstown Parents To Save Our Schools

The school district's website posted the unofficial results around 10:30 p.m. The final tally was 66 percent to 34 percent, according to unofficial results.

One Facebook  poster pointed out that only 14 percent of registered voters weighed in. 

Residents were celebrating the sharp-margin victory on the Facebook group, Clarkstown Parents To Save Our School. 

Robert Ward Kurkela posted the news with the missive "Good Morning Clarkstown!!!" 

A commenter responded, "Good morning it is!"

School officials say the bond will pay for a host of fixes and improvements at 15 of the district’s 16 buildings that range from leaky roofs and aging boilers to outdated electrical systems.

Two of the most expensive fixes are recommended for the district's two high schools: $6.2 million for Clarkstown North and $6.9 million for Clarkstown South. Felix Festa Middle School is listed as needing $6.8 million in repairs.

School officials say the district will receive $18.9 million in state aid for the project.

The rest — about $1.5 million annually for 15 years — will come from the capital improvement budget line.

Work is set to start in 2017 and will be completed before the start of the 2019 school year, according to the district.

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