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Nyack Voters In Turf War Over School Bond Issue

NYACK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Parents in one Rockland County town are split on a proposal to overhaul and improve the schools.

The bond issue set for a vote next month for the Nyack school district would cover new roofs, boilers, windows, fire alarms and security cameras.

But parents like Rick Tannenbaum are not happy that a $21.5 million bond referendum includes $7.7 million for an artificial turf field.

Nyack Voters In Turf War Over School Bond Issue

"I'd like to have a bond issue for those things that everybody agrees to and everybody wants and then a separate bond issue to see if we really want or need an artificial turf stadium," Tannenbaum told WCBS 880's Sean Adams. "We're middle class people. The scope of the proposal - $26.7 million and a $7 million turf stadium - is a major tax burden."

In addition to the $21.5 million in bonds, about $5 million of the project would be covered by capital reserves.

Chris Noble's son plays baseball. He said a new field is desperately needed but added he can understand the other side.

"It's not a terrible idea to split the two up," Noble told Adams.

In 2007, Nyack voters soundly rejected a similar bond issue.

However, the school superintendent says in this case, there will be no tax increase. The new debt will replace retiring bonds.

There are no plans to split the items up into separate votes, Adams reported.

Public information sessions on the bond issue will be held at Nyack High School on Oct. 2 and Oct. 16.

The vote on the bond issue is set for Oct. 29.

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