,Too Preserving the Legacy of 2000-2003 Questions and Answers from the School Facility Forum

LONG HILL TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS 759 Valley Road Gillette, New Jersey 07933 Mr. Arthur DiBenedetto, Superintendent 908 647-1200 ext. 1031 Website: www.longhill.org October 21, 2002 The following information attempts to answer specific questions that were brought up at the initial meeting of the ad hoc advisory committee. As time progresses, additional information may be added under certain questions. Although it is early to predict the actual cost of the future project, using an estimated figure of 10 million dollars in local costs, what would be the estimated tax impact? Answer:  Using an interest rate of 4.5%, one that is current for school district bonds; and planning for a twenty year note, the tax impact would be as follows: On a home assessed at $100,000, the yearly tax would be $61. On a home assessed at $200,000, the yearly tax would be $122. On a home assessed at $300,000, the yearly tax would be $183. On a home assessed at $400,000, the yearly tax would be $244. On a home assessed at $500,000, the yearly tax would be $305.   What are the needs and plans for cafeteria rooms if they are included in any of the expansion plans? Answer:  At this time, only Central students eat in an all-purpose room environment. That room also serves as a gym and auditorium. Millington School students currently eat in their classrooms. Gillette School students also eat in their classrooms. The district has been asked to consider eating rooms as an alternative to in-class eating for health purposes. If eating rooms are added, there is no plan to build kitchens and no plan to hire consultants to provide lunches. Kitchens are very expensive and the district is in no position to hire a cafeteria staff. Contracting out of cafeteria services traditionally results in a need for the board to support these services with a financial commitment and once again, we are not in a position to do this.   What is the status quo of the HVAC systems in the three schools? Answer:  All non air-conditioned rooms had the HVAC systems brought up to the code that existed in 1992. In non air-conditioned rooms this means that air replacement takes place __ number of times per hour. Fresh air comes into the room and stale air is exhausted from the room. The 1992 codes for classrooms still exist, but have changed for larger rooms. In Gillette, seven classrooms are air-conditioned, seven are not. In Millington, ten classrooms are air-conditioned, fifteen are not. In Central, eight classrooms are air-conditioned, seventeen are not. The above specifies full sized rooms.   What is the thinking behind the possible relocation of administrative offices at Central? Answer:  The main factor here was that the expansion at Central would allow for a new main entrance and that the administrative offices would best be placed near that main entrance for security and logistical purposes. Currently the offices are located near the back of the school. This is an enhancement, but because of the construction in other parts of the building, there is a manageability factor for both cost and design. What are the options regarding the re-location of the board office? Answer:  In actuality, this would not be part of the expansion project as we probably cannot wait that long. The scenario that would need to be used is as follows: Gain state department approval of a change of use project; Have the architect design the most simple change of use plan; Have an engineering study to ascertain HVAC considerations as these will be vital; Put the cost to the voters in a second question on the budget vote so the project can be done next summer, prior to the referendum; Find an alternate location for the BOE offices including the possibility of the old library or township building.   Does any design include future expansion and consideration of room location and multi-level planning? Answer:  There are many aspects to this question, some of which were addressed at the first ad hoc committee. A statement about not building certain rooms toward specific sun exposures is a good thought, but it is impossible to do in certain buildings due to limited space close to property lines. Second story potential can be built into any expansion design at Gillette or Millington. The question that must be considered is “how large do you want an elementary school to become?” If Millington can expand to 650 or 700 students in this project, I do not see additional expansion as an option for educational and logistical reasons. In a similar manner, parking and space limitations at Gillette may preclude future expansion plans. The Central expansion incorporates multi-level planning. There is some difficulty with building “up” when children are in classrooms below and these considerations are being evaluated.   What are the people capacities of the three all-purpose rooms? Answer:  At Gillette, the capacity is 355 standing and 253, chairs only. For a cafeteria, it is 100 students. At Millington, the capacity is 550. For a cafeteria, it is 230 students. At Central, the capacity is 434. For a cafeteria, it is 255 students.   Is there any potential for environmental considerations in the expansion project? Answer:  The architect, Mr. Tiajialoff has mentioned that there are some funding programs for geothermal energy use and these will be checked. There are other considerations for “green” building architectural designs. Whenever possible, these will be considered, yet, at this time, the expense …related to such items may be prohibitive. At this time, those concepts will be discussed with the architect whenever possible. Can the Millington all-purpose room be used differently so as to add a more functional gym? Answer:  This is an excellent idea and will be addressed when final plans are considered. This means that if the ad hoc committee recommends another large room at Millington, it might be a gym. That might also allow for a savings by reconsideration of the need for a new floor in the all-purpose room. If the current room is converted to an eating room, there may be no need for floor replacement. What is the effect of class size policy on the expansion? Answer:  The board of education backed by its administrators and teachers feels that class size limitations are necessary at the earlier grades and may be slightly more relaxed at the upper grades. Kindergarten and first grade classes are kept to a maximum of twenty one students in September. They tend to grow slightly as the year progresses. Similar, but slightly higher numbers are envisioned for grades two, three and four. By grade five, a class size of twenty five students is seen as appropriate. What are the options for a floor change at the Millington all-purpose room and what are the reasons? Answer:  There are two choices in terms of flooring. The first is a traditional wood floor and this choice gives us the longest use as well as the easiest to maintain choice. A second option is a synthetic floor. This option has a surface that feels rubberized or plastic and has “give” to it. It is more difficult to maintain and has less of a life expectancy. The current tile floor tends to be slippery for gym activities and in certain seamed areas; the tiles are chipped or raised. What considerations go into the use of ceiling fans vs. air-conditioning? Answer:  Ceiling fans are being installed in non air-conditioned rooms as this is being written. Ceiling fans obviously do not change the temperature of a room; they simply circulate air to make the room more livable. In a room that is ninety degrees, the ceiling fan has limited potential towards making the room more conducive for student’s completion of work. What is the best size for a gym at Gillette? Answer:  First and second grade students do not need as spacious a gym as older children. A reduced size court and a small number of bleacher seats would make the room functional for school use. It would also be functional for younger children recreation programs. Storage space would be a necessary component of the gym at Gillette. If a gym at Gillette becomes part of the plan, the current all-purpose room would become a functional library and the old library could become a re-gained classroom. What factors and cost are involved in renovating the current Central gym into an auditorium? Answer:  Cost figures are not yet available because this move is dependent upon other factors in the project. Additionally, the conversion cost was not asked for in the feasibility study as this is not an immediate requirement; it can be done in the future if necessary. Yet, in open forum meetings, this became more of a consideration via comments received from participants. Could a gym and cafeteria be added to Central? Answer:  The enhanced plans for Central do show both structures. How is land owned by the board affected by expansion? Answer:  If plans for Central are reviewed, one notices that a significant portion of the land that the district owns is at that sight. Unfortunately it is hilly and this adds to site work costs, however, the best bet for future school room might be at that site. Millington has some land behind the school but the town and school district would lose valuable field space if it was to be utilized. Gillette has no additional land for building. Does a full day Kindergarten program enter into discussion on this project? Answer:  If the district incorporated a full day Kindergarten program into its offerings, the following would have to be done: There would need to be an official administrative recommendation that this was an educational need in the district; The expansion plan would have to increase by a minimum of four Kindergarten classrooms which would give us a total of seven rooms for Kindergarten. In actuality, it would have to be five additional rooms to plan for eight Kindergarten sections; The district would have to hire four or five, depending on the classrooms, additional teachers and aides in its regular budget, not in the expansion plan.   This item has been raised very infrequently by parents. At this time there is no administrative recommendation for a full day program. Item c would be impossible in our current budget structure. Because of the above, there are no plans to incorporate a full day Kindergarten in the expansion project.   What effect does the township sewer ban have on the project? Answer:  If a building project satisfies a public need or the project is put forth by an accredited public school, the sewer ban should not be applicable. However, the board would need to apply for an exemption from the ban. Arthur DiBenedetto Superintendent

 

LONG HILL TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS 759 Valley Road Gillette, New Jersey 07933 Mr. Arthur DiBenedetto, Superintendent 908 647-1200 ext. 1031 Website: www.longhill.org March 26, 2002 This document is an attempt to begin the process of providing answers to questions that were raised at the recent Open Forum. On that evening, the topic of expansion of school facilities in Long Hill Township was discussed. As time moves on, more detailed answers for some of these questions will be provided. Additionally, I will be asking the Board to schedule additional Forums as we get closer to a referendum date. Thank you for your interest. Could the Board of Education have proposed a larger project in the last referendum so we would not be in need of space in 2002? Answer:  There were and still are two major factors that prevented the board from proposing a larger project during the last referendum. The first centers on the fact that enrollment can only be reasonably projected for a period of five years, based on births of children not yet in school. It is quite difficult to gain approval from Trenton agencies for projects that build classrooms for enrollment beyond that time. This is especially true now because the State of New Jersey is partially funding new construction and it is loath to fund projects that will result in empty classrooms. The second reason is based on the reality of the local approval process. Expansion questions are yes/no questions. A large majority of voters do not have children in schools. It is vital to present logical and cost conscious proposals, otherwise they will not be passed. The last time a referendum was passed in Long Hill Township, it had been previously defeated and was quite controversial. It would have been foolish for the board to attempt to put forth a more complex proposal.   Can the administrative offices be converted to classrooms for Gillette and have you considered moving the administrative offices to the old Town Hall building in order to open up more classroom space at Gillette? Answer:  The administrative offices can be converted to classrooms. There would have to be a significant upgrade to the HVAC system and interior walls would have to be carefully changed. There would also be some concern about the subterranean quality of the room and the lack of windows, but those can be addressed. The new feasibility study will provide us with a cost for such conversion. If this were to take place, the administrative offices would have to be moved to rental or donated space. This would have to be officially discussed with the Township Committee. I am aware of a yearning on the part of the Committee to maintain the historic qualities of the building and a move of the school offices would ensure that, but absolutely no official discussion has taken place.   When would we know what the state aid would be for a building project and will we miss out on state aid if we wait until 2004? Answer:  Once the project receives approval in Trenton, we would know the final and actual amount of aid. Experience tells me that one should never promise that state aid would be forthcoming, even when it is guaranteed. We have been told that the aid will be there.   Has a feasibility study been done, looking at the expansion of the Central School and would the board consider moving grade five to Central from Millington? Answer:  The board is about to embark on such a study and will hire the architect for this phase only on April 8th. One of the options that will be studied includes the moving of grade five to Central. This would mean that Millington would have classrooms freed up for future growth of grades two, three and four.   Would you consider building schools up instead of out? Answer:  This presents a safety issue because some of the construction would have to take place while school is in session and there is concern about new construction taking place over current classrooms. One option for this is to consider modular construction that simplifies the building process and lessens the on-site time of construction, however it has become more expensive than conventional construction.   Numerous questions about debt service. Answer:  Debt service for the school district represents the cost of paying off bonds taken out for the construction process. It is similar to a mortgage and the debt service for a building project can be paid off in varying amounts of years. The district is currently paying off the last two building projects and owes the following amount of money: 1990 Bond Issue- $2,665,065 in interest and principal must be paid off by 8/1/2010. 1995 Bond Issue- This was just re-financed to take advantage of lower interest rates. The 2001 Bond issue on this project has interest and principal payments of $8,831,155 to be paid off by 2/1/2014.   Has a full day Kindergarten been considered along with the expansion plans? Answer:  In addition to three and eventually four new rooms, a full day Kindergarten Program would also require three or four new teachers and the same number of teacher aides. Such an addition is simply not possible under the current restrictions of state aid, tax levy and school budget considerations.   Does the Board of Education still own the Elm Street School and have we considered updating this facility or building another at this site? Answer:  The township now owns that building. I have been made to understand that it was unrealistic to recover that building in terms of cost. It would have had to been fully gutted and rebuilt. It was also very limited in size. The size factor would prohibit building a new structure at the site.   Is it possible to sell Gillette School and expand the other two schools? Answer:  This scenario would be made quite complicated by the following: Trenton frowns upon a school district abandoning a working school, especially when it is partially financing building additions that would replace it. There is a sentimental and historical attachment to the building on the part of many citizens and this fact often complicates getting a referendum passed. Convertibility factors are often built into new school buildings. There are limited uses to older ones. That is not to say that convertibility is impossible. But economic factors must be weighed and this still may not be the proper time for such a consideration. Can we apply for grants to defray construction costs? Answer:  There are few if any grant sources for a district such as Long Hill Township for the purposes of building.   What needs to be done before a referendum and when might the referendum be held? Answer:  The board will now have a feasibility study completed so as to ensure that the plan that evolves can be built. A generic scenario for expansion must be agreed upon and the Educational Specifications must be written for that plan. Drawings are submitted for approval and the referendum takes place when all is ready. Citizens will have ample opportunity for input, even before actual plans are drawn. Another Open Forum will take place when the feasibility study is completed and that may include sketches of the plan. A referendum is at least one year away.   What is next year's Kindergarten enrollment? Answer:  There are 110 students registered. That does not count students from the SKIP class who will go from that program to Kindergarten. Arthur DiBenedetto Superintendent