SOMERS POINT — Superintendent Ted Pugliese and the Board of Education cut the ribbon Sept. 28 on the Jordan Road School Preschool Annex.
Voters approved a bond referendum last fall seeking $5.6 million for improvements, including expanding the preschool, with a state share of $1.9 million.
Pugliese said last year that the district must make key improvements to the buildings to ensure a safe and effective learning environment into the future, noting that voter approval secured state aid and resulted in no tax increase because the district was retiring debt equal to the proposed borrowing.
The bond referendum provided upfront funds for large, long-lasting facilities improvements that a presentation by Pugliese likened to a homeowner using a home equity loan to replace a roof or install new windows.
One project expanded the preschool program at Jordan Road School by converting classrooms to accommodate 10 spaces with individual bathrooms and security doors.
The superintendent said the tax-neutral nature was one of the two big selling points of the referendum, the other being that the district, which has been losing state aid steadily for years, would recoup some through the $1.9 million that would come from the state with the preschool expansion.
Board of Education President Staci Endicott said the district decided to hold the ceremony despite all of the renovations being done inside.
“We wanted the community to be aware that these are the things that we did with the referendum money,” she said.
The new preschool annex was established in the oldest part of the school; the annex that was built in the 1960s. Therefore, extensive renovations were necessary, including ripping up the floors to install pipes for a bathroom in each classroom, which is mandated by the state.
Endicott said the bond allowed the district to accomplish numerous items to boost safety as well as traffic flow. A parking lot was added at Jordan Road School so that staff could get their vehicles off the surrounding streets, making it easier for parents to drop off their children.
The board offices were moved from the New York Avenue School, which is being leased to a nonprofit organization, into the annex as well.
Endicott said the preschool program has a separate entrance and is completely separate from the rest of the building, which educates students in fourth through eighth grades.
Other upgrades at
Jordan Road School
— Boost security and accessibility by upgrading the fire alarm system to improve emergency communications, add key card access to doors throughout the building and apply security coating to selected windows.
— Modify emergency generator infrastructure and panels to accommodate addition of kitchen equipment, and upgrades to the security and fire alarm systems.
— Renovate selected bathrooms to increase accessibility.
— Remove flooring in main office areas to eliminate asbestos-containing materials and replace with durable, environmentally friendly tile flooring.
— Repair and replace selected windows, ceilings, interior doors, exterior walkways and ramps that are worn or damaged.
— Add new exterior security fencing to complete the perimeter border near the playground.
— Upgrade HVAC systems to improve classroom temperature and humidity control and energy efficiency.
— Repair exposed galvanized piping in a closet to align with current standards.
— Re-coat the roof to protect the building from elements and extend its lifespan.
— Remove selected classroom flooring and adhesive, and selected ceramic wall tile, in compliance with state asbestos-removal requirements.
— Remove existing refrigerator and freezer that are being used for storage and enclose the opening.
— Renovate the office area to relocate central office staff members from New York Avenue.
Dawes Avenue School
— Upgrade fire alarm systems and emergency communications.
— Add key card access to doors throughout building.
— Renovate railings around the playground to enhance safety and add fencing to increase security.
— Upgrade HVAC systems.
— Replace interior carpeting to streamline maintenance and improve air quality.
— Make exterior repairs to reduce the risk for leaks during heavy rains.
— Correct southeast parking lot drainage issues to reduce flooding.
— Renovate the loading dock for better efficiency of operations in that area of the parking lot.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff