Security upgrades at Spotswood schools have no cost to taxpayers

SPOTSWOOD–The Spotswood School District Board of Education has received approval from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to use funds for renovations of vestibules at all district schools.

Current NJDOE regulations permit the appropriation of deposited funds from the Capital Reserve for eligible capital projects by a majority vote of the board, according to the board’s agenda.

The board has received approval for the renovations at Spotswood High School, Memorial Middle School, Appleby Elementary School and Schoenly Elementary School, according to the board’s agenda.

In an unanimous vote, the board authorized the school business administrator to appropriate $1,300,395 from the capital reserve fund for the vestibule projects as authorized by the state on Feb. 5 during the school board meeting.

“The main entrances of all four of our buildings, as well as the entrance to our central offices, will be redesigned to include entry vestibules as the means to access our schools,” Superintendent Graham Peabody said. “This project is being funded through district capital reserve funds and, therefore, will not increase our budget or the tax levy.”

G. Meyer Group was the lowest responsible bid received with a total bid of $900,695.

Peabody said it is anticipated that all construction will begin and conclude during the summer of 2019 while school is not in session.

CM3 will supply and install intercom systems, door stations, door access controls and security cameras in the amount of $103,588. CM3 is approved for the district purchases through the Camden County Cooperative Pricing Consortium, according to the board’s agenda.

For more information, visit www.spsd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=988958&type=d&pREC_ID=1305440.

Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].