FREEHOLD – The Freehold Borough K-8 School District Board of Education has authorized a $50,734 increase in a contract for work on a construction project that will address the issue of student overcrowding in the district.
On Nov. 20, the board approved a change order in its contract with G&P Parlamas for additions and alterations at the Park Avenue Elementary School and the Freehold Intermediate School, which share the same building at the Park Avenue complex. The change order will increase the original $17.81 million contract to $17.87 million.
According to the resolution approving the change order, the increase will provide for temporary freezer accommodations.
The change order was made after the project architect, construction manager and contractor, upon completion of a utility site survey and construction planning, determined that the building’s existing walk-in freezer needs to be decommissioned in order for work to proceed on schedule.
A new freezer will not be in place and operational for use until a new kitchen area is constructed, according to the resolution.
The board is undertaking a $33 million construction project to expand the district’s three schools: the Freehold Learning Center elementary school, Dutch Lane Road; the Park Avenue Elementary School; and the Freehold Intermediate School.
From 2007-17, the district’s enrollment increased from 1,363 pupils to 1,700 pupils and led to a situation in which some Freehold Borough pupils are being educated by Freehold Borough teachers in nine classrooms that are rented in the neighboring Freehold Township K-8 School District.
The construction project will increase classroom space in Freehold Borough to 1,589 students, which still leaves the schools with an over-capacity, but puts less of a strain on classrooms, according to district administrators.