CHARLES W. KIM Voters will decide whether they will approve the renovations for the North Brunswick Township High School during a referendum vote on Tuesday.
State’s offer of $7.8
million may not
last if question fails
By dave goldberg
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — Voters will have the opportunity to vote on a $29 million referendum to expand the high school on Tuesday.
"The high quality education that the residents expect will be negatively impacted by overcrowding," Schools Superintendent Robert Rimmer said Monday. "In order to provide new classrooms for students, the community will have to lease up to 24 trailers at an estimated cost of $2.4 million, increase class size by 36 percent, reduce course offerings, or resort to double sessions."
Polls for Tuesday’s vote will be open in the town from 2-9 p.m., according to the Township Clerk’s Office.
The board is expecting an additional 450 students to be enrolled in the high school over the next five years, and this proposed expansion should accommodate the increase, according to Board of Education member Robert Haws. The school is expected to see an addition of approximately 80,000 square feet if the building plan is approved by voters.
"We want to continue to maintain a high quality program at the high school," said Rimmer. "We are expecting 500 additional students in the school, and we are currently at capacity."
The total cost of the renovations and additions will be $29 million. The state is offering to pay $7.8 million for the project, so it will only cost the township approximately $22 million, according to Rimmer.
He also said that the average home in North Brunswick is currently assessed at $183,000. The referendum will cause that tax bill to increase by approximately $136 a year.
Rimmer said that he was surprised the state was able to supply $7.8 million toward the project, adding that an opportunity like this may not come along again in the near future.
"The state never gave that much before," said Rimmer. "We should strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of it now. All school funding is somewhat at risk, and it highlights the importance of this aid we have received. We need to take advantage of it. The availability can’t be counted on for the long term."
Rimmer said the use and cost of trailers as substitutions for classrooms would have a negative impact on the students’ educational needs.
"Since the trailers are paid for from the general revenue fund, there will be less money items like textbooks, materials and after-school activities," Rimmer said.
MRM Architecture of North Brunswick has worked on the designs for the high school addition over the past several months.
Approval of the bond referendum will solve many existing problems in the high school, according to Rimmer.
"It will provide the additional instruction and core facility space needed at North Brunswick Township High School due to permanent enrollment increases," Rimmer said. "It will reduce the financial impact on taxpayers by taking advantage of the current state funds available for this project. It will also provide facilities that are in compliance with health and safety concerns, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act."
According to Rimmer, the renovations to the high school will include the development of a media center, more classrooms, a multi-use computer room, a 1,000-seat auditorium, a new music room, three new art rooms, new science laboratories, and drawing and drafting computer labs.
There will also be a distance-learning classroom, a television studio and classroom, a technology fabrication shop, an auxiliary physical education gymnasium, a trainer’s treatment room and office, and team rooms for boys and girls.
The building expansion will also include a cafeteria and serving area, guidance facilities, a nurse’s area and locker rooms.
Once the referendum is passed, there are other steps that must be taken before the construction begins on the school.
The next step would be to get the drawings approved for the construction. They have to be accepted by the local board and the state Department of Education.
After the drawings are accepted, the group would have to find a construction team to build the additions. This would require a bidding process.
The renovations are in the best interests of the students, Rimmer said.
"If passed, this referendum will provide adequate educational facilities to meet the increased enrollment and instructional needs to prepare North Brunswick Township High School graduates for success in the 21st century," said Rimmer. "It will give the students renovated and new facilities to accommodate growing program needs. It will meet the increasing needs of the North Brunswick community groups who use the facility."
Rimmer reiterated that this is not a referendum that has any luxuries or extra benefits.
"Every renovation and addition is needed to meet the requirements of increased enrollments, state educational standards, exemplary curriculum goals, federal requirements and the needs of the North Brunswick community," he said.