By Stephanie Petrellese

Garden City School District officials are stepping up their efforts to inform residents about the upcoming school investment bond vote, which will be held on October 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Garden City High School.

At the Sept. 10th meeting of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen announced that several meetings have been scheduled to help the public learn more about the importance of the bond and have their questions and concerns addressed by himself and/or Albert Chase, the district's assistant superintendent for business and finance, and school board members.

On September 29 at 8 p.m. at the high school, a joint meeting of the Village's property owners' associations will be held. "We will be going through many of the specifics of the bond, and answering questions the community may have," Dr. Feirsen said.

On October 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school, the PTA will sponsor a forum, to give the community "an opportunity to discuss the bond with us," said Dr. Feirsen. "We hope you [residents] will come to either one or both of those meetings."

Building tours will also be offered for those who would like to see many of the deteriorating conditions that will be addressed by the bond if passed.

On Sept. 26, the primary schools will offer tours at 9:30 a.m. A tour will be offered at Stratford School at 11 a.m.

On October 3, a tour of the Middle School will be provided at 9:30 a.m. and at the High School at 11:30 a.m.

On October 17, a tour will be offered at Stewart School at 9:30 a.m.

The primary purpose of the $36.5 million bond is to address basic safety and code requirements in buildings throughout the district. If passed, the bond will also allow the district to reclaim learning space and instructional time, maximize economic timing and protect the district's high standing among other districts. Dr. Feirsen said that at the maximum phase-in, the bond will cost most homeowners 71 cents a day, or $261 a year.

A video highlighting the poor building conditions, as well as more information on what is included in the bond, can be found on the "Bond Referendum" page on the district's Web site, www.gardencity.k12.ny.us.