HILLSDALE—The school superintendent said an initial two-month-plus delay in reviewing construction plans for George G. White Middle School’s renovation has the potential to delay its completion, though he described current work as on schedule.
Supt. Robert Lombardy told Pascack Press that a delay caused by a now-retired local construction official who decided not to review construction plans set back renovation progress by “over two months” and to keep that initial project delay in mind as “fluctuations with construction” may occur in the future.
In a Dec. 20 email update to residents, Lombardy noted the project’s “target completion date” remains July 2027 with a planned September 2027 opening. He titled a heading over a section describing the delays as “A Delay to Remember.”
Moreover, his email noted, “Accompanying this (two month) delay are the cost escalations and inflation in construction materials that are associated with any significant construction project. These challenges underscore the complex and unpredictable nature of large-scale public works projects, confirming that the initial timelines are often fluid,” wrote the superintendent.
Asked by Pascack Press about the two-month delay earlier this year, and potential cost ramifications, Lombardy emailed, “I reference the delay because that set us back by over two months, and that is important to remember as the fluctuations with construction without a two month setback arrive. There is no change to the scope of the work,” Lombardy said.
Lombardy said the initial delays in reviewing plans for the modular classroom campus and school renovations “put us on an alternate timeline.”
Lombardy’s Dec. 20 email notes demolition work was expected to start Dec. 22 at George White, following utility and plumbing shut-offs. He said initial demolition will focus on specific areas, followed by demolition of the multi-purpose room. The demo process was expected to take four weeks, he said. He said new construction work will follow demolition completion.
Lombardy also noted the school district “successfully issued” a second round of bonds totaling $47.359 million that received a “AA” rating, “reflecting the district’s careful financial management.”
“This favorable rating allowed the district to secure a competitive interest rate for the bonds at 3.78% controlling the borrowing cost for the community,” said Lombardy. He noted the funds pay for middle school renovations approved by voters in a $62.4 million bond referendum in September 2024.