State Grants May Help Finance School Projects

Watchung Hills' plans for $11 million in projects got a boost when state officials reviewed the projects and announced a new program which could help pay for much of the cost of the work. 

District Business Administrator Timothy Stys told WHRHS Board of Education members Monday that state Department of Education officials reviewing the district's project list, which includes new roofing, new steam heating pipes in the South building and other projects, used the opportunity to suggest the district apply for one of two possible programs which would reimburse the district up to 40 percent of the cost of the work.

"At the time we sent the application, there was no hint of funding," Stys said, adding his surprise at the encouraging word from the Department of Education. "The Department of Education folks were kind enough, nice enough, to tell us."

Stys said two programs are now available for districts with projects needed to maintain school facilities: Debt Service Relief and ROD (Regular Operating District) Grants.

Both can provide up to 40 percent reimbursement of projects, but because the grants won't be announced until December, board members agreed to seek a preliminary application for the Debt Service Relief.

The Department of Education will provide a preliminary estimate of how much of the work will qualify for relief. The district would then need to request a final determination of how much relief the projects would qualify for—board members agreed to pursue the process as quickly as possible in hopes of getting final word in time for the July 15 meeting, when a vote to set a September referendum could be taken.   

A special meeting could be called as early as next week for board members to approve the department's preliminary approval.

The board also approved a plan to seek approval on the work in two separate applications, with one including the roof replacement, steam pipe work, window wall replacement, kitchen alterations, roof fan replacement, and a new emergency access driveway, and a second application with repaving of the front and rear parking lots, estimated to cost an additional $1.5 millon.

The first application received the board's unanimous approval, but board members Lisa DeMizio and Laura Mandell voted against the parking lot proposal.

"While the parking lot is in need of repaving, it is not a core essential to educate students," Mandell said. "I voted against this item as the parking lot can be resurfaced at a future date without burdening tax payers at this time.

"Most likely, this will be broken out into separate ballot question to give voters a choice," she added.

The remainder of the projects are necessary, Mandell said.

"If you don't have a heated facility, you can't educate students," she said. "I supported this due to the critical, emergent nature of the project."