BRICK The township Board of Education recently held a special meeting to offer an update on the various tasks being carried out in the community’s schools.
A comprehensive facilities committee report regarding the numerous work projects occurring at township school buildings was given by James Edwards, Jr., the school business administrator.
Edwards said that the Lake Riviera Middle School project was finished. The electrical transformer upgrade at Veterans Memorial Middle School is currently in progress. By September, when classes start, it is hoped to be up and running.
He also mentioned that thermal piping was a part of the work of the Warren H. Wolf Learning Center. The new ventilators are presently being supplied, and the UVs have been dismantled and removed. There are condenser units present. Although they have not yet been delivered, the rooftop units should arrive shortly.
By eliminating or deactivating airborne pathogens including mold, germs, and viruses, UV units—more especially, UV-C lights—are being utilized in buildings more frequently to enhance indoor air quality and HVAC system performance. These devices can be utilized in upper-room setups for continuous air disinfection and are placed in HVAC systems (both in-duct and on-coil).
According to Edwards, Jersey State Controls is now on the scene and is continuing working on the control coordination. He claimed Chappelle Mechanical was working on the preschool building at Herbertsville Elementary. The ultraviolets have been eliminated and destroyed. The asbestos removal process is over. Regarding pre-cast iron radiators, a change order is pending review.
The kitchen project at Midstream Elementary School has run into a problem with the tie-in of the sanitary sewer pipe. Engineers have proposed a fresh approach, which the contractors are putting into practice. He also stated that all other mechanical problems and parts are on time.
He added that the Midstream and Osbornville schools’ air conditioning projects were moving forward according to plan and should be finished by August 22. The kitchen project in Osbonville is likewise proceeding according to plan. At the time of the special BOE meeting, a new access ramp had not yet been shipped. If the ramp is not delivered in time for the new school year, contractors will build makeshift stairs.
According to Edwards, the multipurpose room will have an elevator that the food service personnel may use to enter the area.
In reference to a long-range facility plan, Board member George Malgeri stated that he had notified the committee that until the Board had proven plans for the architects of record, no decision had been made on the awarding of a contract for the development of a long-range facility plan. That was the plan for the evening. The facilities committee will meet again on August 18 at 4:30 p.m.
The 2025–2026 budget was discussed during the meeting of the Finance Committee. According to Edwards, the application for tax levy incentive aid is still pending. I anticipated receiving permission shortly after learning from the County that there were concerns over two items that we had previously modified.At their August meeting, the Board will have the opportunity to award a contract for the community solar project, he continued.
According to Edwards, the committee examined the different district RFPs (requests for bids). Architect of record, auditor, civil engineer of record, financial adviser of record, labor counsel, general legal counsel, and special education legal counsel were among the competitive contracts that were still pending. The committee also decided not to proceed with the grant consulting complete contract at this time due to the associated costs.
“We will have that ready for the August Board meeting,” Edwards continued, “and I told the committee that I was still reviewing the civil engineers.”
He told the committee that the circumstances at Drum Point Elementary School and the upgrades at Drum Point Elementary Playground would be reviewed at a meeting with the PTA and governmental officials.
Vic Finelli, who often attends BOE meetings, pointed out that there was no board attorney present during the session. If having one wasn’t required by law, the district would save money by hiring an attorney during a meeting for $500 to just sit there and say nothing.
The Board decided not to reinstate a number of school system employees last month. Board members said they wanted to examine what other companies had to offer instead of automatically rehiring those specialists.
Additionally, Finelli questioned the agenda’s 15 scheduled field trips for approval. He stated his opinion that you should give expanding class time careful consideration until academic performance at least reaches the state average. Last year, I believe we completed 135 field trips.
Additionally, he expressed hope that the school district will get a $488,000 grant for school security. For anything, it’s a lot of money.
