Board of School Estimate Approves RODS-II Application

The Board of School Estimate approved an application for a RODS II facilities grant Thursday night.

The district previously was awarded a RODS grant for new boilers and new roofs at many of the districts schools. This second grant would replace many outdated and inefficient windows throughout the district and some doors.

The RODS grant program is unique in that the state reimburses districts for 40 percent of the projects cost.

"It's just such an incredible opportunity," said Superintendent Dr. Nathan Parker. "It's why we pursued it so aggressively."

The total project, which would replace many windows at six of the districts schools, is estimated to cost $3,117,874. The state will pay 40 percent or $1,247,149 which leaves the remaining local share at $1,870,725.

But Board Administrator Louis Pepe emphasized that RODS-I bids came in 20-30 percent below the original estimates and he expects that to happen again with RODS-II given the continued economic climate. The current projects cost estimates were also done in January when costs may have been higher.

The RODS-II projects will replace all of the windows at the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School as they are nearly 30 years old and about 25 percent of them are reportedly inoperable. EI Associates of Cedar Knolls also reports that there is a safety concern with these windows because some are cited with failed sashes and have been screwed closed.

At Brayton Elementary School the windows in the 1970's section will be replaced as they are original to that construction.

At Franklin Elementary School the windows in the library section and select doors will be replaced because many are reported to be inoperable and they are single plane and therefore not energy efficient.

The 1970's wing at Jefferson Elementary School, some windows and select doors at Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary School, and windows in the 1970's wing and select doors at Washington Elementary School are also included for similar reasons.

Concern was also expressed that because of a new change in leadership pending in Trenton, this may be the last opportunity for districts to apply for grants for facilities projects.

The project timeline has the district going out to bid in January 2010 and construction beginning as early as June.