MONTVALE—Public schools superintendent Darren Petersen told Pascack Press that the district will be placing an approximately $30 million school referendum up for a vote tentatively set for Tuesday, Dec. 14.
District officials said it was too early to get a handle on an approximate annual tax impact on taxpayers. However, they said average local tax increases will become clear as the district’s bond counsel, financial advisor, and business administrator consult on the future bonding.
The next district Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Petersen and Schools Business Administrator Andrea Wasserman discussed referendum details Sept. 9 with Pascack Press. They revealed that the approximate $30 million referendum had been in planning for a couple years, and had Covid not intervened, it would likely have come before voters a year ago.
“This referendum presents what is in the best interests of our children and the community,” said Petersen, who has served as superintendent for nine years.
Petersen said referendum costs initially approached $40 million, but that a more “realistic” amount was $30 million, given concern for taxpayers as well as the need for upgrades due to aging facilities and Covid-related priorities such as proper ventilation.
Emphasizing the need for the district’s Memorial Elementary School and Fieldstone Middle School to keep up with new technology and educational methods, the two school officials also gave a Pascack Press reporter a brief tour of the half-century-old boilers and HVAC system at Fieldstone.
Petersen said the $30 million in needed upgrades could be broken down into four categories, including safety and security, education, building system functioning, and inside and outside restrooms.
While Petersen and Wasserman said more details would be available soon, likely by the school board meeting Sept. 27, Wasserman said the dollar amounts could be broken down into approximately equal one-third shares.
She said approximately one-third would be for new construction; one-third for safety, security and new classrooms and STEAM labs; and one-third for building systems including new boilers, and replacement of inefficient hearing, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Although dollar amounts were not yet available, the referendum funds will go toward the following categories and improvements:
Safety and security
- Upgrade security with replaced classroom doors, enhanced locking mechanisms, and new fire alarms.
- Improve the front of Fieldstone to be ADA-compliant with a ramp, and create a separate entrance (better security) for when large events happen at the school.
Education
- Montvale is seeing significant development as previous commercial property is being converted into residential property. Planning for five new classrooms at Memorial Elementary School to keep class sizes small.
- At Memorial, create a STEAM Lab.
- At Fieldstone, create a STEAM Lab.
- At Fieldstone, convert the existing wood shop into two modern art and music classrooms.
- The existing art and music rooms would be repurposed into additional classrooms plus a wellness center.
Building system functioning
- Replace old boilers, replace old heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
- Add air conditioning to all spaces that don’t have it now or rely on inefficient window units.
Restrooms (inside and out)
- Build a restroom facility that is easily accessible from the Fieldstone athletic fields.
- Renovate restrooms at both schools.
Petersen said public relations consultant Laura Bishop Communications LLC of Cherry Hill — hired Aug. 30 for up to $50,000 until Dec. 31, with an option for annual reappointment — was brought on board to provide detailed information and answers to residents’ questions about the referendum to help residents understand the need for school upgrades. It will produce communications including a website, video, and press releases, Petersen said.
Other activities will likely include borough-wide mailings and social media messaging to promote the school referendum’s value and importance.
Petersen said he hopes the website, which will offer answers to frequently asked questions, can be online by the end of October.
Both Petersen and Wasserman said the district “needs to evolve” and undertake upgrades to improve physical facilities, improve and expand space for needed classes, and to keep class sizes low to meet parents’ expectations.