Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education $18 Million School Bond Referendum Vote, Tuesday, Dec. 9

by Christine Corliss
Data Specialist and Communications Coordinator 
for the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District

CALDWELL-WEST CALDWELL, NJ - On Monday, Oct. 13, the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education voted on the proposal to put a bond referendum vote to the public. The total of the bond is $18, 205, 394, resulting in an approximately $11 per month impact to taxpayers. The special election to vote on the bond referendum will occur on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
 


In order to educate the public on the elements of the proposed bond, its tax impacts, and to answer any questions that individuals may have relative to the bond referendum, the Board of Education along with Superintendent Dr. James Heinegg will be hosting an informational meeting Wednesday night, Nov. 12, at 7pm, at James Caldwell High School located at 265 Westville Avenue, West Caldwell.

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All About the Bond

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, registered voters in Caldwell and West Caldwell will vote on a bond referendum focused on improving the health, safety and security of our students and staff. 

The projects proposed in the bond referendum will address security and safety needs, necessary facility repairs and technological upgrades, and health and safety improvements. These projects will preserve the school buildings for future use.In addition, passing the referendum will secure state funding for approximately 22.36% of the total project’s principal and interest payments over the life of the bond, equating to $5.8 million, depending on borrowing rates. State funding is 
contingent on the referendum’s approval by voters.

Security Enhancements
Upgrade Safety and Security In and Around Our Schools

• Interior/Exterior Doors
  Replace nearly 900 doors to improve security - Many doors are original to the schools
  
• Security Cameras/Recording Devices
  Add security cameras with recording capabilities to every entrance/exit at every school and at Bonnel Field
  
• Repair and replace sidewalks and lighting at Jefferson Elementary and Grover Cleveland Middle School

Technology and Facility Repairs
Improve Technology Foundation and Prepare for Increased Technology Needs

• Move technology center from current location, a former custodial closet, to a dedicated and properly ventilated space  
  
• Install more efficient temperature controls to better support and maintain technology equipment
  
• Address additional needed facility repairs
  

Health and Safety Improvements
Improve Environment / Air Quality

• Replace heating units, many more than 50 years old, and 17-year old boilers at Lincoln School and Grover Cleveland Middle School
• Upgrade electrical systems required to support heating ventilators - These same upgrades will allow for the installation of air conditioning in school buildings

Improve Air Quality and Safety

• Replace remaining original windows at James Caldwell High School, Washington Elementary and Harrison School
• Renovate parking areas at Grover Cleveland Middle School and Jefferson Elementary
  
  

Repair and Resurface Athletic Fields

• Drainage Issues on Athletic Fields, Replacement of Track at JCHS and Installation of Turf at Bonnel Field - Athletic fields at James Caldwell High School, not updated since 1987, require drainage and sprinkler system upgrades. - Doing the required work enables the installation of turf at Bonnel Field at a cost of approximately $500,000, allowing for increased use of the field
  

Questions and Answers

Why didn’t the district take care of the renovations as part of the regular operating budget? 

• The district continues to make necessary repairs and upgrades to buildings through the use of budget funds. However,  the scope of work required in the referendum package cannot be met within the operating budget, which is capped at two percent. Facility projects, funded from the budget over the past years, include the replacement of several windows and doors per year. However, continuing at the current pace extends the completion date and results in the  delay of other necessary work. 
  
  

Why isn’t extended-day kindergarten part of the plan? 

• All-day kindergarten was included as the Board discussed the need for a referendum. However, based on recent parent survey results, the cost associated with the need to build on to the middle school, the need to move students to the middle school in order to create the space required to accommodate the extra classes, and additional transportation needs led us to delay the program at this time. We will continue to monitor the kindergarten program and funding initiatives by the state for full-day kindergarten programs in non-Abbott districts.
  

Assuming the referendum passes on Dec. 9, when will construction work begin and when will it be completed? 

• Development of plans and specifications for submission to the state will begin in spring of 2015. The work will be completed within three to five years. 

What will happen if the referendum is not approved in December? 

• This will mean that much of the work deemed necessary will not be done. It will take much longer to implement the security, health and safety initiatives, and a future bond referendum will require more funds as costs and needs continue to rise. These can impact our educational services and initiatives.

Voter Registration

Residents of Caldwell and West Caldwell must be registered to vote by Nov. 18.

• To download a voter registration application click online here  
  
  
• Mail-in ballots must be received by Dec. 9. To vote by mail, apply for a mail-in ballot online here

BOND 2014
Planned Renovations and Projects
By School

James Caldwell High School

• New Exterior and Interior Door
• Additional Security Recording Equipment*
• Electrical Service Upgrades
• HVAC Upgrades and Air Conditioning throughout School 
• Replace Windows 
• Drainage and Repairs at Lower Field and Bonnel Field 
• Field/Track /Turf Upgrades 
• Athletic Facility Upgrades 
  

*Work to be completed through regular operating budget

Grover Cleveland Middle School

• New Interior Doors
• Security Cameras/Recording Equipment at Every Entrance*
• New District Data Technology Center
• Electrical Service Upgrades
• HVAC Upgrades and Air Conditioning throughout School
• Replace Boilers
• Replace Sidewalks and Renovate Parking Area

*Work to be completed through regular operating budget

Jefferson Elementary School

• New Interior Doors
• Security Cameras/Recording Equipment at Every Entrance
• Electrical Service Upgrades
• HVAC Upgrades and Air Conditioning throughout School (through ROD Grant) 
• Renovate Parking Area and Install New Site Lights

Lincoln Elementary School

• New Interior Doors
• Security Cameras/Recording Equipment at Every Entrance
• Electrical Service Upgrades
• HVAC Upgrades and Air Conditioning throughout School
• Replace Boilers

Washington Elementary School

• New Interior Doors 
• Security Cameras/Recording Equipment at Every Entrance
• Electrical Service Upgrades
• HVAC Upgrades and Air Conditioning throughout School 
• Replace Windows
  

Wilson Elementary School

• Security Cameras/Recording Equipment at Every Entrance
• Electrical Service Upgrades
  
• HVAC Upgrades and Air Conditioning throughout School

Harrison School

• New Exterior and Interior Doors
• Security Cameras/Recording Equipment at Every Entrance
• Electrical Service Upgrades
• Replace Windows

Maintenance Shop 

• Replace Maintenance Shop Roof
  

Why Now?

• Focus on increased security, safety and health initiatives of our children
  
  
• Interest rates remain historically low
  
  
• Immediate need for repairs and replacements of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Electrical Systems
  
  
• Debt Service Aid (DSA) is currently available from the state, and future availability is uncertain
  
  
• Work completed in referendum ensures that funding for classroom / instructional needs are met through regular budget
  
  
• Drainage needs of fields enable installation of turf field with minimized additional costs

Questions and Answers
About the Proposed Turf

Why are we spending so much money to redo the fields instead of spending the 
money on other items needed by the schools?

• We will need to do extensive renovations on the fields, regardless of whether we cover them with grass or artificial turf. Due to drainage issues, and environmental upgrades that we are required to make, the fields, especially Bonnel field, will require some major work over the next few years, including drainage and irrigation work, and repairing damage done by several years of harsh weather. The grass fields did not hold up well after Hurricane Sandy and last year’s extreme winter. As we have to do these repairs that require this amount of work, the cost of adding turf is minimized. 
  
  

Playing on turf fields has been tied to cancer. Why would we want to install turf and harm our children?

• Actually, it is the fill – black rubber balls made from recycled tires – that is in the news. And, although there is no actual study that supports the cancer claims, we want to ensure the safety of our children and other community members who use the facilities. For this reason, we are using an organic fill to turf the field. Several organic fill options are currently available, including cork, and we anticipate more options in the next few years. Organic fill will provide the longevity and durability of a turf field without the potential carcinogens.
  
  

I have heard that turf fields become very hot in the warm weather. What about the heat generated on turf fields? How will our children play on turf when it is so hot?

• The organic fill, which is lighter in color (compare the color of a cork stopper vs. a tire) does not absorb the heat like the black tire fill, and therefore, has been shown to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler in the warm weather. By using an organic fill, we will be able to maintain a more comfortable temperature on the field. 
  
  

Why do we need to turf the fields?

• We will need to do extensive renovations on the fields, regardless of whether we cover them with grass or artificial turf. Due to drainage issues, and environmental upgrades that we are required to make, the fields, especially Bonnel field, will require some major work over the next few years. As we have to do the drainage and irrigation repairs that require an extensive amount of work, the cost of adding turf is minimized. lso, over the past few years, severe weather conditions have made us realize that the grass field is simply not always functional when we need it to be. Last year’s Thanksgiving Day game was just one example of how a turf field would be beneficial.
   

What are some key reasons for turf?

• Longevity
  A new artificial turf field will last for 10 to 20 years. A grass football field requires more regular maintenance if it is going to last more than two years under the wear and tear of practices, games and inclement weather. 
• Climate Changes
  Grass fields are supposed to be soft and smooth for players to land on when they are blocked or tackled --- but just try telling that to any player who has been hit hard while playing in temperatures of 25 degrees or colder. Grass will not grow in winter weather conditions. If grass remains on the field, it is hard and brittle. Playing on painted dirt can result in serious injuries in winter conditions. Artificial turf, with organic infill for cushioning, is much easier on a player's body.
  
• Saving Resources 
  To keep grass growing on a field throughout the year requires a lot of water and, although we limit the use of it, fertilizer. 

The entire bond proposal resolution of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education can be found online here.

Further Information
Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education
Superintendent: Dr. James Heinegg
Harrison School Building
104 Gray Street
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-6979
Email
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