Springs School Seems Headed for Bond Referendum

That the Springs School District is likely to ask taxpayers to approve a bond for repairs or the expansion of its school building became evident this week as officials said they were close to hiring a new architect and construction manager for a potential capital project. What to do about the overcrowded and aging building has been under discussion for two years.

Carl Fraser, the district’s interim business administrator, mentioned the possibility of a referendum multiple times during Monday’s school board meeting, and identified next fall as the potential time for it.

Liz Mendelman, the school board president, confirmed after the meeting that the district would probably have a bond referendum. She referred to a survey completed by members of the district’s facilities committee in September, which indicated strong support among its members for a referendum, although the committee did not present that finding to the board.

“The survey results show the group did reach consensus that we did need to go to a bond referendum. I think that gives us a good direction to move in,” Ms. Mendelman said.

While the facilities committee had briefly discussed capital projects estimated at costing between $15 million and $20 million during a series of meetings between May and September, Ms. Mendelman said on Monday, in response to a question, that no specific amount is on the table.

Eight architectural firms and five construction management firms replied to the district’s most recent call for proposals. Among the architects is BBS, the Patchogue firm that has already presented the district with some design concepts. Also among the firms that responded to the request was Sandpebble Builders, the Southampton company that has sued the East Hampton School District alleging wrongful termination of a construction contract.

Mr. Fraser said Monday that the timeline for choosing an architect needed to be pushed into February because he and other school officials spent a great deal of time interviewing six potential architects, more than had been anticipated.

“We’re doing our due diligence by bringing back three or four finalists for a second interview, doing field work with these folks, and also ensuring that the fees they have provided are in fact their best,” Mr. Fraser said. The firms’ references will also be checked and a “concept committee” is likely to begin looking at actual designs in March.

This discussion Monday night was followed by another contentious public comment session, during which some residents and a former employee clashed with others, including a former school board member, over issues such as fiscal transparency, allegedly harsh treatment of certain employees, the process by which the superintendent was hired and his salary and work record, and the overall tenor of the district and board meetings.

Similar to their reaction during the Dec. 14 school board meeting, the board and administration did not respond to controversial claims made during the meeting. Ms. Mendelman also declined to comment yesterday, citing confidentiality related to personnel and legal matters.

“Some people feel you are ripping them off . . . and it’s going to hurt our kids, so it better change quick,” said Debra Foster, a resident and former school board and East Hampton Town Board member.

Michelle Grant, a parent of two students, told the board that she had not heard negative things that other residents say are being bandied about. “I hear a lot of very happy people that are still happy with the school,” she said.

Tracey Frazier, a fifth-grade Springs School teacher who is married to the board’s vice president, Tim Frazier, said the situation was like a bad divorce. “I understand that in these personal issues that are being presented to us there are two sides. I hope they work it out,” she said. “ I think that the most important thing that this meeting, this community, this forum, deserve is respect and presenting both sides of the issues.”

“It may be a bad divorce,” Tatiana Tucci, a former clerical employee, told the school board and administration, “but your lack of transparency leads to a lot of issues. As an employee, I approached you with my concerns, and I was shut down and the doors were closed.”

John Grant, who in June finished his sixth year on the school board, defended his former colleagues. “The attitude, the way things are brought to the forefront here, and the way things are asked is impossible to comprehend,” he said. “There is not some conspiracy theory happening here. There are no agendas.”

An audience member interrupted him just then, saying, “How do you know?”