Rutherford Swim Association (RSA) pool schedule is available at www.RutherfordSwim.org
Voters approved the revised bond referendum which acknowledged and accepted "the community’s interest in keeping the High School’s pool intact."
The Rutherford Swim Association (RSA) is inviting all to meet at the RHS pool for their grand opening celebration and barbecue on Friday, Sept. 27 beginning at 5:30pm. Check out their newly published website www.RutherfordSwim.org for more information about the pool schedule and available programs.
The Rutherford Board of Education (RBOE) is asking all registered voters to participate in the special school facilities referendum vote on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Polls will be open from 6am to 8pm. Check out their newly updated website www.OneRutherford.com for information about the revised plan.
September 2019 Pool Update
Congratulations to the Rutherford Swim Association (RSA) on finalizing and signing the pool management/program services contract with the Rutherford Board of Education (RBOE). Terms include:
The RSA will shortly publish their programming details and registration information with a grand opening planned for mid-September. Please contact Mike Lazzara if interested in any of the currently open positions for Lifeguards, Swim Instructors or Water Exercise Instructors.
Revised BOE schools facilities bond referendum: Polls open Tuesday, Sept. 24 (6am to 8pm). Hear a full overview of the proposal at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, Sept. 16 at 7:30pm in the RHS Auditorium.
July 2019 RBOE Pool Update
Rutherford Swim Association presentation at July 15 RBOE meeting
Mike Lazzara and Chris Dunn from Rutherford Swim Association provided an overview of the aquatic programs they plan to provide at the pool beginning next September. They stated that they hope to finalize the pool contract within the next few weeks and will publish a program schedule along with membership options and fees on their new RSA website currently under development.
Discounted memberships for Rutherford residents starting at $15 per month will be offered; special family rates will also be available. Proposed programs will include daily lap swim along with various swim lessons for all ages. A winter recreational swim team, to be known as Bulldog Aquatic Club, is being developed, with the goal of introducing younger residents to the world of swimming. An after school program that would focus on fun activities including water basketball as well as lap swim, in addition to providing homework support and an arts and crafts program, were also discussed. Hoping to expand pool usage and provide a new outlet for teens, they are considering a monthly teen fun night, including water slides. Plans for a competitive swim team are also being considered.
The Rutherford Swim Association expects to partner with Special Olympics through their Unified Sports program, a program designed to bring special needs individuals and local student-athletes together. Daytime special needs aquatic programs in partnership with Post 21, a special needs organization representing over-age dependents, are also being developed. The Superintendent noted that this could provide opportunities for growth and mentoring for the student population. He also praised the all inclusive vision of RSA plans and expects that over time the pool will become fully utilized. The new schedule will preserve dedicated prime time pool use for the Rutherford High School Swim Team.
June 2019 Update
The agenda for the Monday, June 24 meeting of the Rutherford Board of Education includes a motion to accept the proposal of the Rutherford Swim Association (RSA) in response to the recently issued Request for Proposal (RFP) for Pool Management and Program Services. The meeting will be held in the Rutherford High School cafeteria at 7:30pm.
Two responses were received for the RFP, from the Meadowlands YMCA and the Rutherford Swim Association. The BOE agenda states that “it was determined that the proposal submitted by the Rutherford Swim Association is expected to best meet the needs of the Board as well as the local community.”
We look forward to hearing an analysis of the proposals and the details for the future pool schedule. Most important will be the BOE plans for pool repairs as identified by the Pool Investigations Report, released last April.
The Board will be asked to accept the proposal submitted by the Rutherford Swim Association and to authorize the Business Administrator to prepare the contract as per the RFP. We understand that the Rutherford Swim Association was formed recently to “compete for the operation of the Rutherford High School Pool,” according to a RSA brochure. We look forward to hearing more information about this new organization.
Click here for Monday's Meeting Agenda (see page 18 for the pool motions)
May 2019 Update
The BOE is now accepting responses to its just released Request For Proposal (RFP) for Pool Management Services. Some highlights from the RFP include:
A 5 year contract will be awarded to "manage and operate the facility, including providing swimming programs. The Agreement will be valid for the September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2024 period."
Interested pool operators must submit their bids by 2pm, Tuesday, June 11, 2019. A quick turnaround is anticipated from receipt/evaluation of proposals to making a recommendation and awarding a contract.
"The selected Contractor will have wide discretion to plan, manage and own all aspects of the swim program, with the understanding that the Board expects to share in revenues and/or profits, which will in part cover its operating expenses and investment in the pool facility."
"The Contractor shall give Rutherford residents and Rutherford High School students first priority when hiring for all positions."
"It is anticipated that the market for the Contractor’s swim program services will be the public in the southern Bergen County (NJ) area, and the Contractor should consider giving preference in terms of pricing and services provided to residents of the Borough of Rutherford."
"The school district does not currently have any swim requirements or electives in its curriculum or planned, at any grade level, but the Board reserves the right to reestablish an educational swim program as it sees fit, as either a course requirement, elective or extra-curricular activity."
The BOE's referendum website has been updated with the revised 2019 plan and with a new theme: OneRutherford.com. Following are some highlights from the updated website:
The "Board of Education learned from the 2018 experience that the community wants to keep the High School pool intact, and wants a more affordable way to maintain the excellence of Rutherford schools."
The "new plan focuses on solving core problems without making major changes to non-instructional areas."
"The revised proposal keeps the high school pool; it does not call for replacing it with a newly built cafeteria. It calls for renovating existing science labs instead of building new ones. Those changes were driving factors in the reduced costs."
"Voters in 2018 were heard, and this revised plan reflects that. This new plan recognizes the community’s interest in keeping the High School’s pool intact. Without replacing that pool with a cafeteria/kitchen, the Scope of Work – and the price tag – are smaller for this Sept. 24 proposal."
This is a "a new plan focused on students who are educated here, residents who live here, business that thrive here, and homebuyers who are considering raising their families here."
"This is only the beginning of an informational campaign to be sure every resident has the chance to become an eligible voter, and every voter has the knowledge necessary to participate in the referendum."
"Notices about those upcoming dates will be shared with parents via email, and also mailed to every home in the district."
March 2019 Update
YMCA - Five months have passed since the October referendum and although several meetings have been held between the School Administration and the YMCA, an agreement securing the future of the pool has yet to be announced.
New Pool Operator - A newly formed organization has presented a pool operations proposal to the Superintendent. This includes a full schedule of community pool programs with swim lessons, family swim time and a competitive swim team at the Rutherford Pool. As with the existing YMCA contract, dedicated prime time pool use for the High School swim team would be preserved.
HS Field - There are reports that a deal is close to being reached with Borough Hall for the High School Field. This deal would transfer ownership and budget responsibility from the School to the Municipal budget. We believe the Rutherford Community would be better served by including the pool in any recreation property transfer or shared services agreement.
Latest BOE meeting updates
Pool Assessment - At the January meeting the Board approved $22,600 to Parette Somjen Architects, LLC, 'to perform an assessment of the facilities needs of the pool at Rutherford High School'. No report has been made public yet. Prior to the last referendum the same firm had estimated pool repairs/upgrades to cost $1.2 million.
HS Field contamination - Also at the January meeting the Board approved $54,970 to re-mediate contaminated soil at the high school field. Initially discovered in February 2018 as a result of pre-referendum soil testing, this was reported to NJDEP and requires removal and disposal of contaminated soil and backfill with clean topsoil.
Communications - At the February meeting the Board approved a budget of $20,000 for the services of a communications consultant to assist with communicating information about the referendum to the community. $18,000 was allocated to Laura Bishop Communications, LLC to provide communications and community outreach services to the district.
Advisory Committees - Click here to view the list of appointees to the Facilities Advisory Committee and the Architecture Advisory Committee for the 2018-2019 school year. These were approved at the February meeting.
Referendum - At the next meeting on March 18, the Board is expected to approve sending the revised Facilities plans to the State. These should be similar to the facilities plans presented at the December 10, 2018 BOE meeting. Once sent to the State for approval further changes are unlikely as that would negatively impact the planned timeline.
Latest SaveOurPool updates
New YMCA CEO - Members of the Save Our Pool Committee met with the new YMCA CEO, Mr. David Kisselback. We shared our goals and desires for more extensive programs for Rutherford residents and the need for investments and improvements to the pool facilities.
New Pool Operator - Members of the Save Our Pool Committee also held discussions with representatives of the recently formed organization who submitted a new pool operations proposal. They have indicated a strong desire to enhance the pool facility and build various community driven programs. Their stated mission is to provide a long-term sustainable plan to protect our community's asset.
Borough Council - Lengthy and productive meetings were held in February between representatives of the Borough Council and members of the Save Our Pool Committee to discuss community pool aquatics programming and funding including seeking grants for the pool facility. More to come on this!
December 2018 Update
At the December 10 BOE meeting, there was an underlying positive theme of “looking forward”.
The Superintendent said he has held numerous meetings with all key stakeholders and many members of the community over the last 2 months. He presented his initial findings from this data gathering but he was explicit in stating that the following is NOT a recommendation for the next referendum. These are just considerations based on the feedback he has received to date.
Potential Considerations
This would result in ~$46M follow up referendum in September 2019 or later. Mr. Hurley announced that he plans to hold a Community meeting on the referendum tentatively scheduled for January 8, 2019 in the RHS Auditorium. He stressed nothing is final and all plans are still being discussed.
Click here for a recap of all the October 2 referendum projects and costs
Please contact the Superintendent and your elected representatives (Members of the BOE, the Mayor and Council) with your concerns and make sure they know what you would like to see in the next plan.
Click the link below to watch/listen to Mr. Hurley's 30 minute presentation or continue reading below for a more detailed review of his presentation.
In this update, Mr. Hurley presents some feedback received from his meetings held with various members of the community and some initial thoughts for the follow-up referendum.
At the December 10 BOE meeting, there was an underlying positive theme of “looking forward”. Mr. Hurley repeated he doesn't want to look back, only look forward, and he wants to achieve what he called the “Best Vision for Our Schools.” Ms. Librera too, recognized everyone acted out of passion about the referendum and she wants to let go of the past and “Move the District Forward.” So our recently renamed Facebook page “Rutherford Referendum - Moving Forward” is very appropriately named. The Superintendent's update lasted about 30 minutes and included the following:
Kindergarten bathrooms. Mr. Hurley said he received a promise both verbally and in writing from the state executive that the waiver will be renewed again next summer for the following school year.
Community feedback. Mr. Hurley said he has held 21 meetings with 58 stakeholders including the Strategic Planning Committee, the Mayor, some Council members, Yes and No voters, Senior Citizens, SaveOurPool representatives, Parents and others. Also met with the YMCA. Also received ~25 emails.
QSAC survey. 582 responses received. Mr. Hurley said he needs more time to analyze the 3 open-ended questions he added about the referendum.
His immediate takeaways from his community meetings and initial review of the survey responses included:
People’s Top Concerns
Priority Improvements
RHS Considerations (these are NOT decided but would address the 3 most often cited reasons for the Referendum defeat (the kitchen, pool & cost)
Other Potential Considerations
Fiscal Challenge / Bond
What's next?
Click here for a recap of all the October 2 referendum projects and costs
Please continue to reach out and contact the Superintendent and your elected representatives (Members of the BOE, the Mayor and Council) with your concerns and make sure they know what's important to you - the taxpayers and voters.