District Completes Summer Construction Projects

The board of education has undertaken extensive improvements to the infrastructure of Summit schools this summer, and will continue to update and repair structures all year and into next summer.

The main projects this summer were: partial roof replacements of Brayton School, Franklin School, Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, and Lincoln-Hubbard School; and mechanical/boiler replacements at Franklin and Washington Schools. Additionally, this fall will see fire doors replaced at the elementary schools and a sprinkler retooling at LCJSMS.

“The projects will have a direct impact of the students, faculty and staff as they ensure an environment that is safe, clean and conducive to learning,” said Summit school board business administrator Louis Pepe.

“The residents of Summit benefit as the much needed projects ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of our facilities with the added benefit of improving the integrity of the buildings that will translate into lower utility bills through higher operational efficiencies,” he added.

Although the roof and boiler updates cost around $14 million, the city of Summit received between $5- and $6 million in grants to help offset the costs. Both the roofs and the boilers were in need of repairs.

“(T)he life expectancy of the roofs had been exceeded and they were no longer covered under warranty,” said Pepe. “Likewise, the efficiency of the boilers was no longer acceptable as the old boilers were 1950s technology and construction.”

Construction on the roofs and boilers began this summer. According to Pepe, there have been no major delays and all projects will wrap up on schedule. The sprinkler and fire door updates will begin before January, and the boilers will be completely repaired by next summer.

These projects share priority, and none is more pressing than another.

“All projects are equally important as they will work together to strengthen the overall integrity of the buildings by keeping out the elements (roofs) and improve heating (boilers) and outside air circulation (unit ventilators),” said Pepe.

Pepe lauds Summit’s municipal government, without whose support the construction would have been much more difficult and expensive.

“Much appreciation and thanks goes to the Board of School Estimate, Mayor and Council for their support and work with the Board of Education in support of these critical projects and foresight to capture State Grant Opportunities acquiring savings for the residents of Summit,” he said.