By Anthony V. Coppola, Staff Writer
An architectural firm hired by the East Windsor Regional school board to inspect roofs at five district schools has priced repairs or replacements at as much as $5.4 million.
As a result, the district earlier this month authorized a consultant to help prepare a state Department of Education grant application for up to 40 percent of eligible costs, according to Superintendent Ron Bolandi. Garrison Architects, of Mount Laurel, is expected to file the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act grant application “within the next couple weeks,” the superintendent added.
A voter referendum could be in store to cover the additional costs, but as a last resort, Mr. Bolandi said.
“Between our capital reserves and the ability to get something done with the county for funding, we might be able to avoid a referendum,” the superintendent added. “That’s my goal.”
The district is targeting June 2009 as the start date for construction, according to Business Administrator Kurt Stumbaugh. Under terms of the contract, East Windsor Regional will pay Garrison 7.5 percent of the total project cost, Mr. Stumbaugh added.
Garrison submitted its report to the district in November 2007, outlining its findings and associated repair or replacement costs for Grace N. Rogers Elementary School, Perry L. Drew Elementary School, Walter C. Black Elementary School, Melvin H. Kreps Middle School and Hightstown High School.
The Drew school demands $2.2 million of the cost, if the district opts for a full replacement of the areas in question. A 45,650-square-foot area over the cafeteria, which is described as “actively leaking” by Garrison, represents the highest priced target in the district at just more than $1 million. A 25,000-square-foot area over Drew’s media center and a 10,000-square-foot portion of the gym roof also need attention.
Like Drew, the high school needs more than $2 million in repairs.
A 31,500-square-foot area over the central administration offices that is “actively leaking” would cost $945,000 to fully replace, or $788,000 to retrofit, according to Garrison. Retrofitting consists of constructing a new roof on the structure’s existing roof frame. That option is offered for four of the 13 roof areas identified by Garrison as in need of renovation.
Restoration is offered for two areas — the roofs over the Drew and high school gyms — and is the cheapest of the three options. Taking the most cost-effective route could lower the district’s total cost to $4.5 million.
The high school’s main office and adjacent classrooms, swimming pool and gym annex round out that building’s trouble spots.
At Kreps, where just more than $890,000 of repairs are needed, the building’s 700-800 wing ($517,500), locker rooms ($218,000) and multi-purpose room ($154,100) were identified.
The kitchen and one classroom roof at the Black school total $240,000 of the estimate, and a gym storage room at the Rogers school totals $23,000.
If the district meets the Nov. 20 application submittal deadline, it would be notified of a decision by Jan. 15 of next year, according to the state Department of Education.

