EDITORIAL: Washington high school proposal at $51.8 million.
By:
From the beginning, we have supported the idea it is time for Washington Township to have its own high school.
However, the project presented to township residents last year differs dramatically from the one that will go before voters in a December referendum.
Initial estimates placed the cost of the proposed high school at $31 million. That number later was raised to $41 million. Now that the design is complete, the cost is $51.8 million. Another $4.2 million could be added if the school district decides to put in a swimming pool.
A report done last year by financial consultant Vincent D. Yaniro estimated the burden on taxpayers would be only slightly greater if Washington constructed its own high school rather than stay in its sending-receiving relationship with Lawrence. But that was when the project was estimated to cost $31 million, not $20 million more than that figure. Another analysis needs to be done as soon as possible.
The district also should review the project to determine if costs can be cut. Municipal officials have expressed concern regarding the large amount of money that will need to be borrowed for the proposed school, and also worry the tax impact could keep new businesses from moving to Washington.
According to the current design, Washington’s high school will be constructed for a core of 1,000 students (with classroom space for 725 students) and will be 240,000 square feet.
Last year, voters in Montgomery approved building a high school for 1,800 students (296,000 square feet) at a cost of $66.5 million. The figure included money for construction ($41.1 million), land acquisition ($4.8 million), and equipment and furnishings ($4.4 million) among funds for fees, a football field and bleachers for 1,500 people and other renovations.
It might take $51.8 million to build a high school in Washington, but voters should be convinced of the cost and understand the reasons for it.
Washington’s sending-receiving relationship with Lawrence High School ends in 2005. LHS was designed for 1,326 students, but already has exceeded its capacity. According to projections, by 2011, if Washington remains, there will be 2,002 students in the building. Washington students will make up 46 percent of the high school’s population at that time.
The need for a school exists.
The question is at what price?