Key takeaways from the June 4, Rutherford Board of Education meeting
Several members of the public once again spoke out passionately in defense of saving the pool. They continued to press the case that it is possible to deliver all of the critical Facilities needs identified by the Long Range Planning Committee without destroying the pool.
The YMCA's proposal to sign a new long term pool management contract makes this possible since it would eliminate all operating and capital expenses pertaining to the pool from the RBOE budget. The YMCA statements on April 30 explained how running two pools concurrently would allow for many additional new community programs to be offered to Rutherford residents, while also maintaining the dedicated prime time pool hours for the RHS Swim Team for practice and swim meets. A contract of this nature would be truly transformative to the running of the pool and represents savings to the Rutherford taxpayer of tens of thousands of dollars every year just for the RHS swim team alone.
The Superintendent confirmed the cafeteria seating problem raised by the SaveOurPool committee members, that the published seating capacity for the new High School cafeteria is incorrect. Mr. Hurley acknowledged that the numbers that have been published, initially 400 and later revised upwards to 456, are wrong!, explaining simply that "the draftsman made a calculation error and it came out incorrectly". The new cafeteria seating capacity is only 365 as per code, an increase of just 75 seats over the current 290 capacity. That errors of this magnitude were not identified by any of the parties directly involved in the production and review of these plans, until they were questioned by members of the public, is truly alarming. Both the architect and the EPIC review team all signed off and approved those incorrect numbers. We have repeatedly asked for an independent review of the High School plans and this provides additional evidence of why that review is needed.
Click here to view a replay of the June 4 RBOE meeting:
Below are some highlights from the comments made during the public session by those advocating to save the pool:
- Minutes of previous meetings do not adequately or accurately capture the totality of comments made or reflect the issues and concerns raised during the public sessions.
- Agree that we need better classrooms, STEAM & science labs.
- Only one option takes away something. Option 2 includes the destruction of the pool.
- Saving the pool and providing the needed upgrades are not mutually exclusive.
- This is a community pool and the offer from the YMCA would provide many new community benefits.
- Better chance of the referendum being approved if we keep the pool.
- Benefits of the all new construction kitchen are insufficient to justify the expense.
- It is OK to have a difference of opinion on how we meet the identified needs.
- The cafeteria capacity is significantly less than what was published.
- Need better communication to the community as most are still unaware of the referendum.
Some members of the public also raised concerns with the overall plans and costs:
- The published demographic study (census data) on the RBOE Facilities web site does not support the proposed plan
- Student growth forecasts are suspect
- $53 million is not all for educational needs, only approx. $11 million is for net instructional space
- $2.5 million for turf which will need to be replaced is wasteful
- For all the stated concern about student security, not a single dime is allocated for safety on the fields, playgrounds or outdoor classrooms in Lincoln Woods
- This is a wish list rather than required, plans include questionable expenses
- The Borough has seen a history of expansion and contraction. Closing the pool would be shortsighted and permanent.
Some voiced support for the plans as currently proposed:
- Would love to see the pool saved, but not at the expense of our kid’s education.
- We're losing ground compared to Bergen County schools and we need more computer science graduates.
- The proposed plan addresses the findings identified by the Long Range Planning Committee.
- Don't kick the can down the road, how many options do we need to review?
Mr. Hurley addressed other issues in addition to the cafeteria capacity errors.
- Number of meals needed will drop so can make kitchen smaller. Currently sized at 2700 students, 2000 meals. He will facilitate a meeting for the Board members with the kitchen designers on the pros and cons of the kitchen.
- He stated that letters will be sent to every community group (scouts, green team etc.) and 10 to 12 community meetings are planned at different locations, morning and night to explain the facilities plans to the community.
- Pierrepont portable classrooms. 11 new classrooms will be built.
- The latest plan calls for keeping the 3 existing portables providing a new new gain of 11 classrooms.
- The initial plan was to demolish them for a net gain of 8 classrooms. This would have provided additional outdoor play area where those portables currently stand. Most of the existing outside play area is being built on for the new gym.
The Members of the Board spoke about their thought process and some of the items they are taking into consideration as they review the options and plans. Comments made included:
- I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, or social standing.
- I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.
- We are part of the community too.
- There is a lot to digest. Deep level of analysis.
- Appreciative of all the work and information provided by all involved and all the community feedback.
- This has been a respectful, balanced and thoughtful discussion and productive.
- Trying to address the most pressing needs.
- There is a clear need to improve the facilities in all 6 schools.
- There are other alternatives for the swim team such as Lyndhurst.
- No one should stop swimming, there are plenty of places to learn, maybe just a little less convenient.
- We have to look out for the educational welfare of the children.
- Would love to keep the pool as part of this process.
- Would like to add new items but can't afford it.
- Balance of what is needed and what we would like.
- Current plan is not perfect but is pretty good, solves a lot of our problems, seems like a strong plan.
- Proposal as currently envisioned has been approved by the Rutherford Planning Board and the State Department of Education.
- The State wouldn't approve a plan that keeps the pool and increases costs and takes space away from the athletic field.
- Concerns over the overall costs. Must ensure all costs are vetted and required for educational value.
- Primary need is for classrooms and science labs. Will need to either build new or renovate.
- New construction is more expensive than renovation.
- Cannot pass on the expense of the pool to the taxpayers under the RBOE budget.
- Primary concern is magnitude of the costs.
- We have financial responsibility to the taxpayer.
- The decision has not been made by the Board yet.
- We don't decide, the community will decide,
- We must consider which plan will gather the most support from the community.
Thank You
Rutherford Citizens to Save Our Pool