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Frequently asked questions
What’s included in the referendum?
The purchase of One Merrick Avenue, Westbury, N.Y.
How will this referendum affect local school districts?
By law, Nassau BOCES’ facilities costs are passed along to local school
districts on a proportional basis, according to each district’s Resident
Weighted Average Daily Attendance. Owning One Merrick Avenue rather than
renting it will reduce Nassau BOCES’ facilities costs to local school
districts by an estimated $20 million over a 20-year period.
What happens if the referendum is passed?
Nassau BOCES will seek funding for purchase of the building through
bonds to be issued by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
What happens if the referendum does not pass?
Nassau BOCES will continue to occupy One Merrick Avenue. Rent and taxes
are estimated at $46 million in costs to local school districts over the
next 20 years.
How is Nassau BOCES using this facility?
One Merrick Avenue will be home to educational services that support the
225,000 students of Nassau County each year — everything from state test
preparation and scoring to technology training, data warehousing and
assessments. It also serves as a center for teaching and learning,
providing more than 350 professional development programs and courses to
more than 9,200 teachers annually. In addition, Nassau BOCES provides
more than 600 videoconferences for more than 17,000 students annually.
These videoconferences link students to museums, zoos, hospitals,
theaters and researchers throughout the world.
Why do we have to vote?
When a BOCES seeks to purchase a building, New York education law
requires a public referendum.
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