HILLSDALE—Hillsdale Public School district officials and consultants answered residents’ questions in a Zoom forum Aug. 7 for 90 minutes on the proposed $62.4 million George G. White school renovation referendum set for Sept. 17.
School officials said they would post a video of the session on the district website imminently.
Approximately a dozen residents sent in questions in advance or emailed school officials during the forum, which was moderated by board president Justin Saxon and trustee Kevin Donatello. Also speaking were architect Joseph DiCara, of DiCara Rubino Architects, Wayne, Supt. Robert Lombardy, principal Donald Bergamini, and the district’s financial and legal professionals.
Questions addressed a variety of concerns, including property tax impacts (estimated to average $840 yearly), student impacts including temporary classrooms, student safety during renovations, moving fifth graders back temporarily to elementary schools, how student play, gym, and lunch will be handled, and where residents can find additional information on questions and concerns.
A final public presentation and Q&A session on the referendum is set for Monday, Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook School, 50 Piermont Ave.
Saxon, also an educator, said, “We cannot operate in a building with so much disrepair,” and said officials are sensitive to concerns about costs. Saxon said trustees felt they wanted to give residents a choice with two questions rather than put all the renovation cost into one question on a referendum and it possibly not pass.
The district previously said that should voters not pass both questions, or proposals, school officials will likely be back before them within two years for more school upgrades.
Business administrator Sacha Pouliot said the district budgeted $15,000 to conduct the Sept. 17 special election, similar to what it cost for the March 2023 referendum, which was defeated.
Officials also noted that voters must vote yes or approve Question 1, which addresses the full renovation ($55.3 million) of George White before Question 2, ($7 million) construction of a new two-story wing with six classrooms, can be voted on or approved. If voters vote no on the first question, they do not vote on the second question, officials previously said.
Donatello said many residents have questioned him about their home’s “assessed value” and their specific tax impact. He said some were “making a guess” of their tax impact based on home sales in their area.
However, Donatello said a home’s assessed value was not market value, and advised homeowners to look up their property’s assessed value for free at njpropertyrecords.com.
Saxon said a homeowner should consider whether they plan to live in the home for the next 20 years, which will be the $62.4 million bond’s term for payback.
District officials were surprised last year to learn that the state requires school renovation bonds to be paid off in 20 years, rather than a 30-year term allowed for new construction.
Lombardy said the middle school’s gym will be able to be used during construction, noting officials and professionals worked to make sure the school year experience is as similar to the “regular school day as possible” during planned renovations. He said that includes keeping the extracurricular programming and academic experience similar to what is offered now.
DiCara said they have specified where safety fencing will be installed around construction, assuring residents that students will be separated from any contractors or construction vehicles during the school day.
He also said they would ensure student access to the existing middle school during school days to allow for gym classes and cafeteria use. He said he anticipated the temporary modular classrooms to be installed across the street from the middle school and the current school “to function seamlessly during those two years of construction.”
Lombardy said the modular classrooms to be installed across from George White will house grades 6–8 for the construction duration, approximately two years, and that they will prioritize the safety and security of students during the renovation period.
He noted the modular classrooms will be fenced in, with an operating communications system, including walkie-talkies, and regular visits from the district’s special law enforcement officer (SLEO III) who patrols the schools daily.
DiCara said the construction may cause some traffic disturbance around the school. He noted a “laydown area” for the storage of equipment or materials will be established, and stressed that it will be done only during certain daytime hours that will be arranged with the police department.
DiCara said it would cost more to renovate the middle school in phases, and would not be a cheaper option to pursue. He said if a contractor had to “section off” work areas, plus deal with safety concerns, and daily school operations, “he’s going to add a lot of dollars to his bid” and that the final project cost would “either be expensive or have a lot of change orders.” He said it would take more time and more potential delays to do renovation work in phases over a multi-year period.
Lombardy said residents who attended four public input sessions opted neither to move fifth graders permanently back to elementary schools nor to have less expansion at the middle school.
He said fifth graders will temporarily go back to elementary schools during construction, and modular trailers will be installed at each elementary school to add space for classes and students there. “Our most important thing was to keep costs down,” Saxon said.
Officials eye construction commencing in summer 2025 as modular classrooms are set up for the 2025–26 school year. Fall 2027 is the target opening date for the renovated middle school, with “substantial completion” of construction by summer 2027.
DiCara milestone dates are established, and legal damages can be levied if a contractor misses key construction dates such as installation of foundations, steel, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
A resident wondered about the cost of “a typical modular classroom.” Previously, school officials estimated up to $4 million would be appropriated for modular, or temporary classrooms, which are trailers that will temporarily house students and classes while renovations occur.
DiCara said temporary classrooms must meet state education department standards and the modular classrooms’ lease will be for at least 24 months, and include installation, water supply; sanitary systems; electrical systems, and a communications system.
The bid specs will include installation as well as removal of trailers, DiCara said. He said the modular classroom vendor must come back and remove the temporary classrooms, including all construction and utility connections, plus restore the site to its original condition
“We want it to be a place for the kids and the community. We want this building to be a centerpiece of Hillsdale. We want folks to come in to see it,” Lombardy said.
He said following the removal of temporary classrooms from the field across from George White in 2027, the district hoped to restore the field to a better condition.
Registered voters will head to two polling places on Tuesday, Sept. 17, including Pascack Valley High School and Ann Blanche Smith Elementary School, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.