BOCES administrators are asking 18 Suffolk school districts to foot a $3 million bill for a new building.

BOCES officials say their current facility, which consists of 35-year-old modular portables, is beyond repair. They say the roofs leak, the heating system doesn't function and the floors have repeatedly given way. Taxpayers from the 18 districts will vote on whether to pay the remainder of the $5 million project, which would cost between $3 and $5 per homeowner for each of three years.

Residents and administrators alike voice concern over the vote. The vote, scheduled for December 14 between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., will only have a single polling station at James E. Allen Elementary School in Dix Hills. Due to how many towns would be affected by the vote, residents maintain more polling locations should be used and the vote should be postponed.