The three buildings housing Weehawken’s approximately 2,000 students have functioned as places of learning for more than 60 years.
Roosevelt School, which is home for third through sixth graders, was built in 1926. Webster School, for pre-kindergarten through second graders, and Weehawken High School, which services students in grades seven through 12, were built in 1939.
Over the years, the schools have withstood the test of time, but they have also endured serious wear and tear and are in need of an overhaul.
“We decided that we needed an upgrade in several areas, specifically dealing with sanitary, health, and safety reasons, as well as dealing with the American Disability Act compliance,” said Weehawken Superintendent of Schools Kevin McLellan. “These are basic no-frill needs that have to be met.”
In July of 2000, then-Gov. Christie Whitman signed the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act (EFCFA), which targeted $8.9 billion from the state to give to districts in need of school renovations and construction.
“It was the largest program for school construction in the country,” McLellan said.
The program was devised to provide $6 billion of the funding to go to New Jersey’s Abbott districts, comprised of inner-city schools that have the most need. The remainder of the funding was targeted to other districts in need of school repairs, but that funding came with a restriction: Any renovation costs would be met 40 percent by the state, but the remainder of the costs would have to come from the funds raised by the municipal tax levy.
“The program provided free money, up to 40 percent funding,” McLellan said. “The funding would be determined by the State Department of Education for eligible costs.”
McLellan said that a complete and thorough survey of the three schools came up with approximately $10 million worth of necessary improvements.
The Board of Education plans to apply for $4 million as part of the state EFCFA program, but the remaining $6 million would have to come from the taxpayers.
To speed up the process for approval of the school improvements, the Board of Education passed a resolution Tuesday night, calling for a special election with the introduction of the improvement referendum to Weehawken voters. The election will take place Jan. 28, 2003.
The portion raised by taxes will come out to about a $60 increase per year for each homeowner with an average property value of $200,000.
McLellan outlined the proposed improvements during the Board of Education meeting Tuesday.
“We’re going to install elevators in all three schools,” McLellan said. “Right now, we don’t have access for handicapped students or parents in our schools. We will also provide 100 percent handicapped access in terms of ramps and wheelchair lifts.”
As part of their five-year physical plan, the Board of Education found that there was an elevator shaft installed in the high school, but an elevator was never placed in the building. The existing shaft can be used for an elevator in the future and both Roosevelt and Webster schools will need brand new elevator facilities.
Major bathroom renovations are needed in the elementary schools.
“The plumbing that exists in the schools is the original plumbing,” McLellan said. “It’s beginning to break down and leak, which is definitely unhealthy.”
A full renovation of the girls’ locker room in the high school is also part of the plan. Improvements to the high school gym will include a new gym floor and new bleachers in both the high school and Webster.
New glass panes will replace current plastic opaque windows. Several other windows will be replaced in all three schools.
Roof repairs are also part of the project. In addition, three more classrooms will be built at Webster to enable the district to offer full day pre-kindergarten classes, beginning in September of 2004.
“We feel early childhood education is critical,” McLellan said. “The earlier the child is learning the better off they will be in the future.”
McLellan feels that the state Department of Education will eventually mandate full day early childhood sessions in the near future, so he wants to be ready for that request.
Board of Education President Richard Barsa believes that the improvements are definitely needed.
“We were going to have to make these improvements sooner or later,” Barsa said. “We can either do it now and pay at 60 percent or do it later and pay at 100 percent. We have to take advantage of what’s out there. It’s a home run all around.”
Barsa believes that the funds raised by taxes might come out to $60 per household now, but that figure could change, especially with the new developments taking place at Port Imperial South on the waterfront and the St. Lawrence Estates in the “Shades” section.
McLellan believes that they will get the $4 million from the state Department of Education.
“Everything we’re proposing is strictly because of need,” McLellan said. “We feel confident that we’ll get the $4 million.”
McLellan presented the improvements to the Roosevelt School Parent-Teacher Organization and the response was very positive.
“I think everyone would be happy that we’re upgrading our facilities,” McLellan said. “We have to act fast, because once this $8.9 billion runs out, there’s no more.”
McLellan said that before the plan can go to the special election ballot, they need to receive state approval for the $4 million.
The plan will also be presented to the mayor and Township Council on Dec. 10 for their approval.