High Point readies $13M renovation project for vote

WANTAGE — As High Point Regional High School is set to retire $12 million in debt service next June, the district’s Board of Education is looking to launch a slew of renovation projects under a proposed $13 million plan. Speaking at the Dec. 10 Wantage Township Committee meeting, High Point Regional Board of Education member Chuck Musilli laid out the board’s plans for building upgrades and other renovations that have been discussed with groups of parents, parent/teacher organizations, sports groups, booster groups and other organizations since September. The renovation efforts include the refurbishing of eight science labs, including five that were built with the school’s original structure in 1966, said Musilli. The board is also looking to replace some windows and doors from the original school building with more energy-efficient units, he added. The district is also looking to: improve the exterior lighting for the grounds upgrade to a 3,000-amp electrical system to support its expanded use of computers install motion sensors that turn on lights in some of the rooms to help reduce energy costs address flow problems with its septic system replace the roof on its “400” wing upgrade part of its HVAC system, including adding air conditioning to its auditorium replace its gym floor and gym bleachers Approximately one-third of the overall project costs — or $4.3 million — would be covered by state aid, said Musilli. Approximately $8.7 million would be bonded over a period of time and at a rate to be determined once the project is approved, said the school district’s business administrator Linda Alvarez. The net cost to taxpayers would be $60 per year, or about $5 per year less than what they’ve been paying on debt from two building expansion efforts and other projects that have occurred since 1989, said Alvarez. Expecting a few bumps Still, some of the planned upgrades to the school’s athletic facilities might not sit well with taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet during the current recession, said Wantage Township Administrator Jim Doherty. For instance, under the current project plan, the district would be looking to replace its current grass football field with synthetic turf and adding lights so the field could also be used for field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and by local youth clubs. In addition, the board has suggested resurfacing the running track, rebuilding three existing tennis courts and building two new tennis courts. Half of the costs of the athletic projects are eligible to be funded through state aid, said Alvarez.

What’s next?
The school board is expected to approve the final dollar amount for the project at its Dec. 21 meeting at 7 p.m. Current estimates put the total price tag at $13 million.
A referendum vote is being planned on Jan. 26 for voters in the five towns the district draws from: Sussex Borough, Wantage, Frankford, Branchville and Lafayette.
Taxpayers can expect to receive a newsletter highlighting the key components of the project by mid-January.
dditional meetings are being planned with residents in Lafayette and Frankford.