Construction of Security Guard Booth Hits Snafu
Despite voters approving the use of state funds to construct a security guard booth at Huntington High School, the project cannot move forward as planned. The structure was designed by school district architects and plans were submitted to the State Education Department, but the initiative has hit a snafu.
To pay the estimated $25,000 cost of the project, the district had planned on using monies given it as part of the EXCEL (Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning) program, a one-time infusion of state cash to help fund capital improvements.
Huntington residents approved the EXCEL proposition last May by a vote of 1,619-787. In all, Huntington’s share of EXCEL funds amounted to $1,359,070. But, after the guard booth plans had been submitted, the state put the brakes on the project.
“The state now considers the security guard booth its own building on our premises and therefore will not allow us to use EXCEL monies for the construction of this structure,” explained David H. Grackin, assistant superintendent for finance and management services. “The project is also not eligible for building aid since it is not an instructional space.”
If Huntington School Board members decide to go forward with construction of the guard booth, the cost of the initiative will have to be included in this May’s capital reserve fund proposition.
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