PETERSBURG — Will voters in this burgeoning municipality approve a bond referendum Jan. 25 to build a 65,545 square-foot elementary school to replace, then demolish one built in 1955, as well as renovate two other schools?
School district officials made a PowerPoint presentation to Upper Township Committee on Mon., Sept. 27 highlighting the $38-million construction and renovation project, which would ask $28.8 million from taxpayers.
As calculated for $100,000 of assessment, the increase in annual taxes would range from $96.61 for 15 years; $83.72 for 20 years; and $79.29 for 25 years.
Officials noted there would be public sessions to gain input from residents before final plans are offered.
Upper Township is a pre-K to 8-school system with about 1,550 students. Those pupils attend classes in primary school,
grades pre-K to second, elementary school, grades third to fifth, and middle school, grades six to eight.
According to the district’s “Report Card Narratives,” signed by Superintendent Vincent J. Palmieri Jr., “When working with buildings erected circa 1955, (elementary), 1973 (middle) and 1991 (primary), it is easily deduced that 2010 brings many facility issues and inefficiencies to the forefront.
“Our two younger schools are in need of significant repairs-upgrades in the areas of roofing, HVAC, windows and compliance with the new Homeland Security Guidelines and Standards applicable to public schools,” he wrote.
“In addition to these renovations, our eldest campus is in dire need of so much more; bringing us to the realization that it will be more cost efficient to replace it rather than to attempt a comprehensive restoration,” Palmieri continued.
District Architect is Garrison Architect of Marlton and Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
The one-story elementary school would be situated near the present elementary school. Once completed, demolition of the old structure would provide new fields.
A new parking lot would provide 239 spaces, and a bus loop and bus staging area would be created, as would a new playground area.
That proposed elementary building would have seven classrooms of 850 square feet in size, 15 classrooms of 800 square feet, three small group instruction rooms, and a multi-disabled classroom.
The “core facilities” would contain an art room with storage room, computer room, music room with practice room, main office space, cafetorium to seat 250 students and stage, as well as a gymnasium with storage, a kitchen and faculty dining room.
The school would have a capacity of 479 students in third through fifth grades as well as house the central district office and Board of Education office.
Estimated cost of the structure is $22,641,875. The state would pay $3,424,850, leaving the local share of $19,217,025.
In addition to the construction project, the plan would also perform numerous renovations to the primary and middle schools.
The middle school has three parts, built in 1973, 1981 and 2000.
Exterior renovations to it are estimated at $1.2 million.
The work would include, but not be limited to; renovation and reconfiguration of the gym and food service entrances, the 1981 section needs roof replaced in limited areas, the 1973 and 2000 sections need roof restored with a 15-year warranty.
Replacement of all exterior windows, cafeteria glass curtain wall and doors would be included.
Also, all exterior doors and hardware would be replaced.
Interior renovations of the middle school would amount to $4.2 million.
Among the work would be removal of wall mounted cafeteria tables and benches, and install 17 new cafeteria tables, renovate toilet areas to make them ADA compliant, place two sets of gym locker room lockers and renovate two locker rooms.
The science lab would be renovated, and wood shop would be reconfigured, and would include new computers, equipment and a steamer.
Also projected would be $3.3 million for HVAC replacement and upgrade; $773,140 for electrical work, including new interior lighting and ceiling replacement in all classrooms, and $350,000 for plumbing construction, including fire suppression system and domestic hot water heater.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com
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