Correction: The print version of this story says Holdrum is getting new classrooms; in fact it is getting classroom renovations. Also, we listed Fieldstone school, which is part of an unrelated but concurrent schools effort in Montvale, part of the Dec. 14 referendum in that district. We regret the errors.
RIVER VALE—Contractor bids due by mid-January 2022 are being solicited for major school construction projects included in River Vale’s approved $42.5 million bond referendum, including an addition to the middle school, renovations and HVAC replacement at two elementary schools and entrance canopy upgrades at all three district schools.
The $42.5 million bond referendum was approved by voters in April who green-lit two of three public bond questions, rejecting $1.7 million in bonding for mental health wellness centers in two elementary schools.
River Vale Public Schools Superintendent Melissa Signore told Pascack Press that the “most significant work will begin this summer [and] we expect to have a more specific project schedule next year.”
She added, “We’re excited to take another step early next year toward the improvements planned for our school buildings. Contractors will be invited to bid on projects beginning in January. That timeline will allow for significant construction to get underway in the summer, when there is less concern about disruption to our students and staff.”
The two approved questions provided $25 million for school facility upgrades and nearly $9 million for adding air conditioning to all three schools. Additional capital reserve funds set aside over the years for the new upgrades made up the difference in funding, school officials said.
Homeowners will average an extra $123 annually in property taxes over the 25-year bond term.
Four public solicitations for bids were published Nov. 23. These included three bid solicitations due back no later than 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.
The bids being solicited included rooftop heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system replacement at Woodside Elementary School; building renovations at Roberge Elementary School; and canopy upgrades at Woodside, Roberge and Holdrum Middle School.
The fourth bid solicitation includes a new addition to Holdrum Middle School. That bid from contractors is due no later than 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022.
On Wednesday, Dec. 1, bid documents for all four construction projects will be available for purchase at LAN Associates, Midland Park, or may be viewed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on business days.
In mid-December, non-mandatory pre-bid conferences will be held for bidders to clarify the work needed, hear potential bidders’ questions, and learn how to properly complete and submit bid documents. These conferences will be conducted for each of the four bids being solicited.
Proposed 2022 construction
On the district’s bond referendum website, the first project listed for March 2022 through February 2023 is an addition to Holdrum Middle School; from May to October 2022 is ventilation and HVAC upgrades at Roberge and new rooftop HVAC units at Woodside.
Summer 2022 lists new main entrance canopies at each school; an expanded entrance at Holdrum; roof replacement at Woodside; partial roof replacement at Roberge; and classroom/electrical upgrades at Roberge. HVAC upgrades at Holdrum will occur from May to October 2023.
Summer 2023 will include classroom renovations at Holdrum and summer 2024 concludes referendum work with classroom improvements at Woodside, replacement of unit ventilators at Woodside; and roof replacement at Holdrum.
Approximately 15% of the borough’s 8,561 registered voters cast referendum ballots in April 20’s special election, with 1,313 votes cast on Question 1, 1,309 votes cast on Question 2, and 1,306 votes cast on Question 3.
Voters rejected question three, on adding two wellness centers.
A link to April 20 referendum results posted by the Bergen County Clerk’s Office can be found at livevoterturnout.com/bergennj/LiveResults/en/Index_6.html. For the River Vale bond referendum website, visit sites.google.com/rivervaleschools.com/rvbond/home.