The Library Board of Trustees has issued the following press release about the LRS on October 15, 2019

Compromise Reached To Save Little Red School House

The Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library Board of Trustees announced on Friday that they have reached a compromise with community leaders to save the Little Red School House in Moriches.

“One of the many benefits of the passage of our proposed December 10 bond vote will be the preservation and restoration of the Little Red School House,“ said Board President Joseph Maiorana. “After numerous discussions with our community partners, including civic leaders, the library has committed a portion of our funding to be used to restore the Little Red School House.”

Maiorana said, if the bond is approved, the proposed project will have other significant benefits to the entire community, including the complete renovation of the 45,000 square foot main building in Shirley, the expansion and the renovation of our proposed branch in Mastic Beach to create an approximately 7,000 square foot facility and the construction of a new branch in Moriches. It is hoped the Moriches branch would include new construction of 5,000 to 7,000 square feet in the same architectural style of the existing Little Red School House to be built to the rear of the 94-year old structure. Ultimately, it is envisioned that the new library building will be connected to the restored Little Red School House through a breezeway. It is envisioned that the restored Little Red School House will serve as a large community program / meeting room for the benefit of local residents.

Library Director Kerri Rosalia said, “If the bond passes, the library will then work with community leaders over the next year to hopefully obtain grants and raise funds to pay for the balance of the restoration. “

School District officials have indicated that if the library does not take possession of the Moriches property, the deteriorating Little Red School House will be taken down before it becomes a safety hazard.

“If we all support this bond many great things will happen for our community, including the preservation of the Little Red School,” Manor Park Civic Association President Ray Keenan. “It is our goal to raise more funds to protect the school house and make it a usable community center.”

The anticipated cost of the bond is an additional $85 annually for the averaged assessed home in the community.