Projects

A big-picture plan to address timely needs

Improvements

at a glance

The Board and district put extensive time and thought into determining which projects to include in the referendum. Community members were part of the process, offering input into the district’s 5-year strategic plan in late 2022.

All feedback pointed toward making improvements that support the needs of a modern learning environment and maintain the high quality of our district.

$15 million in project costs, state aid would cover $4.7 million

The following proposed projects make up a cohesive strategy to enhance and update Rockaway Valley School.

HVAC & boiler upgrades

The systems that provide heating and ventilation are severely outdated, with classroom unit ventilators dating to the school’s opening in 1959. Modern, efficient equipment would replace these antiquated systems and provide air conditioning for every area of the school, including classrooms. That's especially important since the spaces are in use even during the summer, for the township-run camp program and special education classes.

The new HVAC system will connect to the school's building management system for even, centrally controlled heating and air conditioning.. The new equipment also offers improved filtration. The upgrades are important not only for comfort and allergy/asthma relief but also critical to students’ ability to focus. Installing efficient equipment would contribute to long-term operational savings on energy costs.

New boilers are also included in the referendum. The school's old boilers run the whole heating system, and often develop leaks that require custodians to change valves.

Security vestibule

Visitors are currently buzzed in at the entrance, and have direct access to the main office. The improvements to the entry lobby will enhance security by providing another layer of protection before visitors can access the building. This two-step entrance is becoming standard in New Jersey school districts. A new intercom and video system would enhance the security upgrade.

Storage addition

Imagine moving the contents of your attic or basement into your living area. That’s the daily reality at Rockaway Valley, where extra chairs, choral risers, deliveries and other items that should have a dedicated storage space take up hallway space, and part of the stage and boys' locker room. The storage addition, which includes a mezzanine, would give RVS the permanent space it needs to have everyday items readily accessible.

Electrical upgrades

The electrical service to the building would be increased to accommodate the additional electrical load associated with air conditioning. This enhancement will also accommodate growing technology use.

Roofing replacement

Portions of the roof have been replaced over the past two summers through the Capital Reserve – the district’s savings fund. Addressing the remaining roof work through a referendum would provide state aid toward the cost and complete the project more quickly. New portions of the roof would be under a 30-year warranty. With roof leaks impacting hallways and classrooms, repairs are needed as soon as possible. When leaks occur, teachers call a custodian to bring buckets and students sometimes have to move their desks, taking away from valuable instruction time. Leaks also impact the lunchroom and stage, where garbage cans are an unwelcome but necessary prop.

LED lighting

Updating building-wide lighting with energy-efficient LED systems would brighten classrooms and hallways and provide operational long-term cost savings. Lighting controls and occupancy sensors would be part of the upgrade.

Nurse's area renovations

The nurse’s area is outdated and inefficient and would be reconfigured to meet ADA standards for accessibility and improve student privacy. The current bathroom is undersized. The room, which dates to the school’s 1969 addition, also would be modernized with a new floor and lighting.

Art room updates

The art room has been mostly unchanged since 1959, and the space is not organized efficiently to handle the weekly flow of 400 students of all grade levels. Renovations would make the space much more usable by adding lighting and storage, including functioning cabinets and drawers. The sink, which is too high for the youngest students and too low for the oldest ones, would be replaced with a more accessible model. A new floor and ceiling would round out the improvements.

Abatement

Asbestos-containing materials were commonly used in construction when the school was built. In many cases, abating such materials is required based on the construction scope; in other cases, it is best practice to remove such materials. Contractors must follow strict state regulations to remove or mitigate materials that could be considered hazardous. Old ceiling and floor tile and pipe-fitting insulation will be removed and replaced in areas that are being renovated. In addition, materials will be abated in a few areas where no construction is proposed. With these remaining abatement projects, the school should no longer contain asbestos materials and will be able to eliminate the cost of required annual monitoring.

Canopies

The main entrance at Rockaway Valley School is easy to miss, and first-time visitors often go to the wrong door. New canopies would help visitors identify the main and upper-level gym entrances, but they’d also have safety benefits for students and staff. The canopies (concept below) would extend over walkways to provide shelter from the elements and keep the ground clear on icy and snowy days. They’d also offer additional lighting for those entering and leaving the building during evening events. Family members attending events would have space to line up in inclement weather.

Aerial Map of Projects & Improvements

Updating systems, transforming spaces

CURRENT: Boilers are a component of the outdated heating and ventilation system that includes units from the original 1959 school building.

NEW: Replacing boilers and classroom unit ventilators would improve comfort and filtration. The energy-efficient equipment, controlled by the school's building management system, would deliver long-term savings. Plus, the upgraded system would provide air conditioning in every area of the school.

CURRENT: Some portions of the school roof have been replaced through Capital Reserve funds over the past two years. However, repairs are still needed and roof leaks continue to be a problem.

NEW: The access to upfront funding makes a bond referendum the most expedient path to replace the remaining portions of the roof. The new portions of the roof would be under warranty and would prevent additional damage from leaks.

CURRENT: Visitors are buzzed in at the main entrance, then have direct access to the school.

NEW: A security vestibule, or two-step entrance, would provide an additional layer of protection before visitors can enter the building. The upgrade would include new cameras.

CURRENT: Fluorescent lighting is outdated and less efficient than what is currently available.

NEW: Energy-efficient LED lighting that's brighter and costs less to operate would be installed throughout the building.

CURRENT: The art room dates to 1959, and is showing its age with a poorly functioning sink and cabinets, and an inefficient layout.

NEW: Renovations would improve lighting, add storage and create a generally more organized space that supports collaboration and the needs of students at all grade levels.

State aid is key factor

The district’s architects helped develop a package of improvements that would qualify for significant state aid, also known as debt service aid. If Boonton Township voters approve the referendum, the district will receive $4.7 million toward project costs to offset the amount required from local taxpayers.

Taxpayers across New Jersey contribute to the revenue that funds school construction projects, but the money only flows back to communities that pass referenda.

How did the district estimate the project costs?

The district’s architects estimated the costs based on their extensive experience with similar projects in similar geographic areas, and current market conditions. The estimated costs also include professional service and license fees, and a state-mandated cushion to cover any market escalation in the next year or two, when construction would take place. All work is awarded through a state-required competitive bidding process. The district does not publicize a detailed breakdown of estimates to ensure a fair bidding process that results in the lowest possible costs.

What if costs run over/under budget?

The Boonton Township School District is not permitted to spend any more than the amount approved by voters. The district’s professional advisers will determine the best options for completing projects if costs begin to run high. If costs are less than anticipated, state law requires the district to return all unused bond proceeds to the taxpayer in the form of lower taxes.

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