Completed Summer Projects Aim to Improve Schools

Across Manalapan today, students, parents, and teachers are beginning the 2011-2012 school year. As they take a walk outside or enter the hallways of their school buildings, they might notice some of the many changes and improvements that have been completed over the summer under the direction of Physical Plant Director Vince Pietrucha.

The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education commended Pietrucha for preparing the buildings for Hurricane Irene.

“I know you didn’t have a crystal ball knowing that we were going to have a hurricane. Those drains had to be cleaned and the down spouts, and everything had to be working properly to not have any leaks. I commend you on that; you did a great job,” said board member James Mumolie to Pietrucha.  

“I just drive the ship; you guys fuel it," Pietrucha said. "You and all of your predecessor boards have bought into what I’ve brought here. So with good solid roofs, with maintenance, we’re going to survive something like this, and we did.” 

According to Superintendent John J. Marciante Jr., some recent changes to the schools, especially the window replacements and HVAC installations were improvements included in a referendum approved 10 years ago.

The four schools that saw substantial changes this summer were Lafayette Mills School, , and .

At Taylor Mills, windows were replaced and blinds have been ordered for all classrooms. All chalkboards have been converted to white boards which, Pietrucha noted, will keep rooms cleaner and help students who suffer from asthma. A major district-wide improvement completed this summer was the installation of classroom smartboards.

At Lafayette Mills, new unit ventilators and roof top units for the media center and gym were installed. At Pine Brook School, four classrooms were converted to a board meeting room, curriculum workshop room, and administrative offices. The work included demolition, construction of partitions, two rooftop air conditioning units, new light fixtures, paint and carpet.

Board President Michele Stipelman pointed out that this is a contingent space to be used as a backup to the current administrative building. The rooms can also be used as a classroom if needed.

Finally, the most extensive project was the new roof at Milford Brook School which was completed this summer even after the .

Pietrucha also confirmed that Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School and Pine Brook are two schools that are at “ground zero” with their roof warranties.

According to Business Administrator Veronica Wolf, $2 million in capital reserve from the end of the 2011-2012 school year could be used to fund the replacement. The remaining $1.6 million to $1.8 million dollars could be financed using a five-year lease arrangement.

The use of the capital reserve would also have to be approved by voters and the BOE would also have to consult the N.J. Department of Education, Department of Community Affairs, and the local finance board.  The approval process could take four to six months said Wolf.

“It’s very similar to what we do with computers and busses. We budge one-fifth of the payment of the principal and whatever interest payment we have to make within that budget year for the next five years,” said Wolf.

Construction can not start until July 1, 2012, when the 2012-2013 school budget goes into effect.  The district would then have the option to finance the rest of the roof project using a five-year capital lease finance arrangement. 

The other option is one that the board has been carefully considering over recent months: a solar power system. Stipelman asked Wolf if the savings from solar energy would help with the roof payments.

“I think that would be definitely doable based on some of the numbers. Right now we’re paying 16 cents per kilowatt hour and they’re talking about 7 cents; we’d be almost cutting that in half,” said Wolf. Currently, the district spends approximately $1.3 million annually on electricity.

Earlier in meeting, the board had heard a presentation from Doug Bacher, a financial advisor to the Monmouth County Improvement Authority. He explained the financial specifications of an ongoing solar energy initiative in the county. The project spans multiple school districts in Monmouth County. These districts include the Borough of Tinton Falls, Middletown, Howell, Borough of Eatontown, Upper Freehold, Marlboro, and Monmouth County Vocational School.

At tonight’s meeting, this solar energy team, which also includes Gerard Genna, a Project Manager at Birdsall Services Group, and Richard Preiss, an energy consultant with Gabel Associates, will be looking to see if the board is willing to commit to the proposal. As of last week, the Monmouth County Improvement Authority had already surveyed district schools in consideration of design specifications.

“You don’t need to make a final decision yet, but what I think will help move things along for you is to let our professional team in and let them decide what will work out for you,” said Bacher. The inspection comes at no cost to the district.

The Board of Education's meeting will begin Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the in Englishtown.