Inefficient exterior walls: Waldwick High School was built in the early 1960s with thin exterior walls when energy costs were so low they weren’t considered significant. The proposal would fund necessary improvements to the strengthen the nearly 60-year-old building, particularly the windows and energy-inefficient exterior walls that have exceeded their life expectancy. About 85% of those walls are 1/8-inch thin – about the width of two stacked quarters. Other suggested improvements include replacing interior and exterior doors, along with interior corridor lockers. The majority of classrooms would get energy-efficient LED light fixtures, and floor and wall renovations.

Stronger security: Waldwick has already made security paramount by installing new interior and exterior doors throughout Crescent and in some parts of the High School; reconfiguring the main office at Traphagen; and adding an access-control system at all Waldwick schools. Those improvements were paid for through a one-year budget boost that voters approved in late 2018. To further protect the safety of the district’s students and staff, the new proposal seeks to construct a security vestibule at the Middle School/High School entrance. The plan calls for a two-stage vestibule that allows visitors to be screened before they enter either school.

HVAC Upgrades: Major HVAC upgrades included in the proposal would cover the High School’s classrooms, as well as larger areas such as the gym, theater, cafeteria, TV studio, band room and choral room. The modern HVAC and airflow equipment are essential for energy savings and comfort, but the filtration system also addresses health issues for students and staff who suffer from asthma and/or seasonal allergies.

Classroom and lab upgrades: The proposal calls for improved classroom lighting fixtures and flooring that would enhance the learning experience. At the High School, renovations are proposed for science labs, art classrooms, the Culinary Arts classroom, and areas that significantly contribute to student engagement. All of those improvements would more strongly support the Waldwick curriculum.

New STEAM Lab: The district understands the importance of developing in-demand career skills such as technology and math, and has the track record to show it: The High School has an award-winning STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) team that has competed throughout the state. Now, through the bond proposal, the High School could add a new STEAM Lab to more strongly support our curriculum.

Bleachers/ADA compliance: The High School’s stadium seating area is not currently accessible to all spectators. This round of improvements would include new bleachers on a new foundation, new bench-style seats with closed risers, and a press box. Modernizing this part of the High School would bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning all of Warrior Nation would be able to cheer from the stands.

Traphagen Media Center: Students attend classes in multiple buildings at the uniquely configured Traphagen Elementary School. The district has been overhauling and improving one building at a time through its regular operating budget. As Waldwick plans for the final piece of the renovation – the modernization of the Media Center/Building 5 – the district can take advantage of the opportunity to receive state aid to fund the improvements.

Parking lot repaving: Crescent Elementary received $1.2 million through the operating budget over the past 15 years to fund projects such as roof replacement, refurbishment of the stage’s floor and replacement of its door, replacement of the front entrance bridge, installation of a new Multi-Purpose Room floor, and the conversion of storage space into a Music Room. Now the school could receive additional improvements through the bond proposal. A repaving project would include the parking lot and the asphalt wrapping to the back of the building.