With both questions on the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District’s January 24 referendum approved, now comes the next, and most important step — building the improvements.##M:[more]##
Voters in Plainsboro and West Windsor approved the bonding of $25.2 million for renovations and additions to district schools and facilities, 2,”581 to 1,”351, according to unofficial results.
Approved by a much narrower margin, 2,”005 to 1,”905, was a second question authorizing $2.3 million in bonds for synthetic turf sports fields at both high schools.
The main referendum question was approved by an almost 2-1 margin in both townships. In Plainsboro, the vote was 679 to 386. The vote in West Windsor was 1902 to 965.
The synthetic turf question was much closer in both towns. The question was approved in West Windsor by a vote of 1464 to 1394, and in Plainsboro by a 541 to 511 vote.
“The approval of the referendum shows a continuing interest in and dedication to the excellent educational system of our regional school district,” said Hemant Marathe, school board president. “While replacing roofs and repaving parking lots might not seem important, these projects, along with updating HVAC systems, are vital to the strength of the school programs. This approved referendum will allow us to renovate facilities and to build additional classrooms for our student population.”
“The schools really need the work outlined in the plan,” says Diane Hasling, co-chair of the Citizens Referendum Team, a volunteer group that worked to help pass the referendum. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people in the last few months as our team tried to get the word out about the referendum, and really appreciate the interest and support we received from so many.”
The district’s Administration and Facilities Committee has already started to develop a timeline for the projects approved in the referendum, and is expected to present it to the School Board sometime this month. The board must also discuss management of the projects to keep them on time and within budget.
Slated for this fall are new walls to partition the open classrooms at High School South, and work on the HVAC systems at several schools approved in the referendum. Larger projects will require submission of plans to the state for approval. The timeline for completion is between three to five years.
The bulk of the funding for the referendum, $18.9 million, will go toward improvements at High School South. They include the creation of five new closed classrooms; a new auditorium; a new gymnasium; a new trainer’s room, weight room, and office for the athletic director; a new outdoor “bubble-type” pool enclosure to replace the existing enclosure.
Also planned are renovations to music, performing art, and fine arts classrooms to create art spaces and a music suite with new instrumental and vocal music rooms, ensemble room, and practice rooms. instrument
Planned for Dutch Neck are six new classrooms; renovations to small group rooms throughout the building; and an upgrade of the HVAC system in classrooms and the main office.
Improvements at Maurice Hawk include renovations to classrooms for English as a Second Language; renovations to the modular classroom addition; and replacement of the HVAC system.
Projects at Wicoff School include second-floor classrooms; and renovations to the modular classroom addition’s ventilation system. and upgrade of finishes.
Work at High School North includes the conversion of existing space to multi-science laboratory space and a science preparation room.
