On Dec. 11, the Upper Freehold Regional School District will go to referendum with a building proposal to expand and renovate Allentown High School and the annex. This is being done to meet the district’s enrollment needs for the next five years and to address core facility needs.
There are long-term capital projects that need to be addressed immediately. They have been on the back burner too long. The high school track is one. Attempting to walk, let alone run, on the high school track is akin to tackling an obstacle course. It is in such horrific condition that no home meets have been held for three years due to safety concerns. On rainy days, leaky roofs mean students share lunch space with buckets in the cafeteria. In classrooms, books and furniture must be replaced because of mildew damage. Not only is it costly to keep replacing the ceiling and floor tiles, but it also involves a health risk, since some contain asbestos. Neither student nor staff should have to abide by these conditions. Renovating the high school locker rooms and replacement of the elementary windows are too big to fund out of any one budget year. By spreading them out over a longer period of time, the tax impact is also spread out.
According to the New Jersey Department of Education, our core facilities — the library/me-dia center, gymnasium, cafeteria, and offices at Allentown High School — are well below the space requirements specified for high school programs.
Most important, we are out of classroom space. Our enrollment has increased markedly this year and will continue to do so as the development in Upper Freehold and Millstone is completed.
A student doesn’t find a classroom inviting when there is "no elbow room," and no educator considers it a positive environment for learning. Research has always reported that smaller class size and a good education go hand in hand. Thus, dedicating the annex to the Upper Freehold Elementary/Middle School will free up nine classrooms in the elementary school.
Fortunately, the Upper Free-hold Regional School District and the Board of Education have always done what’s best for the students, and at the same time been fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.
This time is no different. They aggressively sought nearly $6 million in state grants to offset a $19.5 million project. This will reduce the local tax burden to an estimated $13.5 million. A $6 million savings in today’s dollars represents nearly a $9 million savings over the life of the loan This plan will serve the district needs for the next five years, ease the overcrowding by September 2003, and address any of the regionalization scenarios currently under consideration.
Time is of the essence. Further delays will only increase costs. Vote yes on Dec. 11.
Pamela R. Conk
Upper Freehold Township