The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Board of Education has approved a special bond referendum which will be held on Dec. 9. The purpose of the referendum is to gain taxpayer approval to raise funds for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the high school.
As both a teacher in the school district and a parent of two children growing up in Fair Haven, I have a unique perspective on the HVAC system.
To be kind, the old heating system is inconsistent. There are certain areas in the school which are sometimes very cold while other areas are too hot. And just when a teacher or student adjusts to the climate, the room temperature can change to the opposite extreme the next day. In September and June, the third floor is sometimes overwhelmingly hot. Imagine trying to interest a classroom full of teenagers in metaphysical poetry in 80-degree heat in June.
The geothermal HVAC system our board is proposing is state-of-the-art and will provide a uniform temperature throughout the building — even in the extremely hot and cold months.
Because of the fact that our board of education’s proposal was not wasteful and included forward-looking technology that would serve both towns’ children for many years, the state of New Jersey has agreed to pay for 40 percent of it — the maximum allowed by state law. Our board of education has visited other buildings with similar systems, had engineering plans prepared, and has chosen this system over the course of the last three years; it has been chosen with careful thought. That is why the state has agreed to pay the maximum.
One added benefit that parents may not realize is that in order to remove the old duct system, students’ lockers will have to be removed. Because of this, our board is taking this opportunity to install lockers that can accommodate the larger gym bags and back packs that students carry. Since our lockers currently can not hold these large items, students must pile their bags at the ends of the hallways, adding to the congestion of our crowded corridors. Installing the new lockers will not only be an added benefit, but it also will be necessary considering the projected enrollments of the next few years.
To its credit, the Rumson-Fair Haven Board of Education has not resorted to bond referendums for major improvements in the past. Consider the new all-weather track installed three years ago, for example — this was done within the regular school budget so residents from both towns were able to enjoy it without any additional tax burden.
My family moved to Fair Haven for the schools, plain and simple. In addition to being very happy about our children’s education, we are also thrilled that our house has appreciated in value 60 percent in just three years — in large part due to the school system. It makes sense to keep our schools warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the spring and fall so that our children can reap the full benefit of what our teachers can offer. Rumson and Fair Haven children deserve it.
Please vote yes on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Dan Loughran
Rumson