Architect Recommends Closing Pinelands Regional For A Year

LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ - The architect for the Pinelands Regional School District says keeping the high school open while ongoing renovation work is being done is a "giant liability," according to a report in The Sandpaper.

Brooks Garrison of Garrison Architects and former construction manager Chuck Romanoli of New Roads Construction both recommended that the district close the high school for the 2018-2019 school year.

Construction professionals also recommended that the district buy a $750,000 prefabricated building with 10 classrooms to alleviate crowding.

The high school has been on split sessions since last fall and has been sharing the junior high school. The high school was closed due to asbestos concerns and other construction problems.

The Board of Education is reviewing options with the next phase of construction, Acting Superintendent Cheryl Stevenson said in a message to parents on the district website.

"No final decisions with regard to the overall construction process, or with the 2018-19 academic
schedule, have been determined," she said. "We are currently reviewing all options, and we will make every effort to expedite the discussions and decision making so that the entire school community has as much advance notice as possible."

Stevenson said at the Feb. 14 Board of Education meeting that the district has a plan, but said it couldn't be made public because state approvals and permits must be obtained and certain items need to go out to bid.

The school board authorized Business Administrator Steven Brennan to advertise for bids for the revised scope of work for Phase II of the district’s $53.6 million package of renovation projects at both its junior high and high school buildings. That includes temporary classroom units (TCU), more commonly referred to as trailers.

“This administration is not going to get caught off-guard like last year,” said Stevenson. “Split sessions are not the direction we want to head to. We will do everything in our power to get a full day. When I know, you will know.”

To read the entire story, click here.

Logo: Courtesy of the Pinelands Regional School District