Reprinted from Ridgewood News 12/4/09:
This Tuesday, village residents will be asked to approve a $48 million bond referendum to upgrade school buildings and fields. If residents approve the bond referendum, taxpayers will contribute an average of $300 per year for the next 25 years to pay it off.
There are dissenting opinions on the issue: Some residents see the project as a necessity, some want it scaled back, while others don't think now is the right time. District officials are hoping that the bond is approved, because if it is, the state will chip in about $12 million to get the projects completed.
Many Ridgewood residents are proud of their homes, making necessary upgrades and repairs to maintain the value of their properties. That same pride must be shown to the village's communal properties, including the schools.
Would a Ridgewood homeowner ignore a roof leak, rodent infestations, or crumbling walls? Highly unlikely.
Would a Ridgewood resident let a child sleep in a hallway? Probably not, but some village students are now taking classes in school hallways.
Some will argue that fiscal restraint should be shown because of the economic recession. But spending money on much-needed repairs is not frivolous - if the damage gets worse, it will cost more. And if the bond is not approved, the district will lose the state aid for the project, and may never get that money back.
Two major complaints from residents opposed to the referendum are the installation of turf fields and air conditioning in the auditorium at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BF).
BF has the largest auditorium in all Ridgewood schools, used by Jamboree, Dad's Night and some elementary school productions. In May and June, it can be sweltering. It is often rented by outside organizations - producing income for the Board of Education - and would be more attractive to other potential renters if air conditioning were installed.
The installation of turf fields will allow the football field to be used for more than football, which is only fair for all the other Ridgewood High School teams.
Village residents will make the ultimate decision on whether this project proceeds or not. We think there are too many reasons to vote in favor of the proposal than let the opportunity slip away.
Welcome!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Village is getting more $$ from County to help pay for Schedler property
Just read this good news on the Bergen Record website: Ridgewood will receive an additional $600,000 grant from Bergen County to purchase the 7-acre Schedler property, bringing the total grant aid to $1.6 million. The remaining $1.1 million will be funded through bonding.
The property, assessed at $2,598,000, is located on the east side of Route 17 and runs parallel to West Saddle River Road. Mayor David Pfund said earlier this year that the village anticipates preserving the property as open space, including (in a plan I saw) a park with fields, jogging path, benches and bathrooms.
The property, assessed at $2,598,000, is located on the east side of Route 17 and runs parallel to West Saddle River Road. Mayor David Pfund said earlier this year that the village anticipates preserving the property as open space, including (in a plan I saw) a park with fields, jogging path, benches and bathrooms.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Explanation (again) of what we currently spend on facilities and why...
For those who missed it when I wrote before (click here), it is true that a school district may budget to put money into a capital reserve account, creating a fund that is accumulated for a “rainy day.” Our District established a capital reserve fund in 2000. We have funded it and, most recently, we used money from this account last year to do repairs on the 1919 roof at RHS. But in recent years, we have not been able to budget additional funds for capital reserve, nor have we been able to end the year with as much surplus as in the past.
Also, yes we are allowed to spend more on capital projects and maintenance within our operating budget. The only thing stopping us is...everything else. After paying our contractual obligations for salaries and benefits, and dealing with cost increases in transportation and other expenses, and staying within the state's budget growth cap of 4.0% of the tax levy (approx. 3.6% budget), the most we've been able to put toward the facilities is $2 million per year. That's a significant amount of money -- except when you consider that we have 11 old buildings to maintain totaling one million square feet. $2 million doesn't go very far. If the community wants to spend more on facilities, we will have to take the money from somewhere else. It's as simple (and as complicated) as that.
(Added 12/4/09 @ 10:50 AM)
What kind of capital and maintenance projects does the District undertake as part of our regular budget? As I wrote previously, here's a partial list of projects from this past summer/fall:
Ridgewood High School
Renovation of Guidance Suite and Grade Advisor area; Rooms 207, 211 & 112. (Note, the Guidance area had water damage, crumbling plaster, dingy paint...now it's a great showcase for visiting college admissions folks and parents.)
Renovation of North Stair Tower (the one I used to say looked like a ghetto movie set)
Repair of Lockers in Boys' Locker Room
Installed flooring in ancillary weight room
Installed 600+ new lockers
Locker room showers, more roof replacement and bathroom renovations going out to bid
Hawes
New fencing
New lighting in gym
Orchard
Fencing
New lighting in gym
Sidewalk (donated by HSA)
Willard
Renovation of art room
Outside lighting improvements
Travell
Gym renovation -- tile & lighting
Outside lighting improvement
GW
Replaced 4 classroom carpets with tile floors
Refinished Gym and Band Room floors
Roof repairs
Fencing
Bathroom renovations -- going to bid
Glen
Gym window wall replacement -- going to bid
Exterior door and electrical upgrades -- going to bid
BF
Roof repairs
Improved electrical in library and computer labs
Fencing
Roofing & door projects to be bid
Ridge
Renovated gym (floor and lighting)
Drainage in front of building
Door project -- going to bid
Somerville
Renovated cafeteria
Removed wall between 2 classrooms; replace with foldable wall
Fencing
Partial roof replacement (over gym)
Any questions, please comment or email me directly lauriegood@mac.com.
Also, yes we are allowed to spend more on capital projects and maintenance within our operating budget. The only thing stopping us is...everything else. After paying our contractual obligations for salaries and benefits, and dealing with cost increases in transportation and other expenses, and staying within the state's budget growth cap of 4.0% of the tax levy (approx. 3.6% budget), the most we've been able to put toward the facilities is $2 million per year. That's a significant amount of money -- except when you consider that we have 11 old buildings to maintain totaling one million square feet. $2 million doesn't go very far. If the community wants to spend more on facilities, we will have to take the money from somewhere else. It's as simple (and as complicated) as that.
(Added 12/4/09 @ 10:50 AM)
What kind of capital and maintenance projects does the District undertake as part of our regular budget? As I wrote previously, here's a partial list of projects from this past summer/fall:
Ridgewood High School
Renovation of Guidance Suite and Grade Advisor area; Rooms 207, 211 & 112. (Note, the Guidance area had water damage, crumbling plaster, dingy paint...now it's a great showcase for visiting college admissions folks and parents.)
Renovation of North Stair Tower (the one I used to say looked like a ghetto movie set)
Repair of Lockers in Boys' Locker Room
Installed flooring in ancillary weight room
Installed 600+ new lockers
Locker room showers, more roof replacement and bathroom renovations going out to bid
Hawes
New fencing
New lighting in gym
Orchard
Fencing
New lighting in gym
Sidewalk (donated by HSA)
Willard
Renovation of art room
Outside lighting improvements
Travell
Gym renovation -- tile & lighting
Outside lighting improvement
GW
Replaced 4 classroom carpets with tile floors
Refinished Gym and Band Room floors
Roof repairs
Fencing
Bathroom renovations -- going to bid
Glen
Gym window wall replacement -- going to bid
Exterior door and electrical upgrades -- going to bid
BF
Roof repairs
Improved electrical in library and computer labs
Fencing
Roofing & door projects to be bid
Ridge
Renovated gym (floor and lighting)
Drainage in front of building
Door project -- going to bid
Somerville
Renovated cafeteria
Removed wall between 2 classrooms; replace with foldable wall
Fencing
Partial roof replacement (over gym)
Any questions, please comment or email me directly lauriegood@mac.com.
Report says "no evidence that Ridgewood synthetic turf field poses a threat to environment, flood plain or children."
For anyone with questions about the benefits/risks of artificial turf in Ridgewood, the following recent press release from REAC (Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee) should be helpful (bold or italic sections are my highlights).
11-30-09 Ridgewood, NJ: In November 2009, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (R.E.A.C.) released its environmental, health and safety assessment of the synthetic field at Maple Park. The assessment may be accessed at R.E.A.C.’s website by clicking here.
Three years ago, Ridgewood replaced a grass field at Maple Park with a synthetic field manufactured by FieldTurf. Media reports of concerns over synthetic turf fields in NJ received national attention in 2008, prompting REAC to form a sub-committee to conduct a 10-month assessment of whether these concerns affect the residents of Ridgewood. R.E.A.C. focused on identifying the most current and objective information on synthetic turf, in order to provide an unbiased reference resource for the residents of the Village of Ridgewood.
R.E.A.C.’s assessment focused only on concerns, which are applicable in Ridgewood and are specific to the synthetic “infill” turf field design at Maple Park. Much of the information presented in the assessment was derived from actual testing at Maple Park, some of which was previously not available.
The assessment also includes test results and commentary from government sources, including the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, NYS Dept. of Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Environmental Protection Agency. Other important sources include the American Journal of Sports Medicine, British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Clean Washington Center (CWC), Penn State University Center for Sports Surface Research, Ridgewood Dept. of Parks & Recreation, RHS Athletic Dept. and RHS Director of Health & Wellness. There are extensive video and website links incorporated into the assessment, which may be of interest to Ridgewood residents.
The assessment is intended to be a living document that can be modified as new credible information becomes available. The overall conclusions from the assessment are that there is no evidence that the synthetic field at Maple Park poses a threat to the environment, the flood plain around the park or children, who use the field. In addition, the assessment highlights a number environmental and functional advantages that have been realized locally and beyond Ridgewood, as a result of the field installation. R.E.A.C. notes that it did not consider financial costs or potential savings associated with the field when conducting its assessment, as these were beyond the environmental, heath and safety scope of the assessment.
The R.E.A.C. is an independent volunteer committee, appointed by the Village Council, with experience and/or interest in environmental issues. REAC advises the Village Council on environmental, health and human safety issues in Ridgewood. It also seeks to assist the residents of Ridgewood in addressing environmental concerns by advocating “best practices”, which protect the environment, respect the ecosystem and promote sustainability.
For additional information, please contact John Halenar with R.E.A.C. at johnhalenar@yahoo.com.
11-30-09 Ridgewood, NJ: In November 2009, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (R.E.A.C.) released its environmental, health and safety assessment of the synthetic field at Maple Park. The assessment may be accessed at R.E.A.C.’s website by clicking here.
Three years ago, Ridgewood replaced a grass field at Maple Park with a synthetic field manufactured by FieldTurf. Media reports of concerns over synthetic turf fields in NJ received national attention in 2008, prompting REAC to form a sub-committee to conduct a 10-month assessment of whether these concerns affect the residents of Ridgewood. R.E.A.C. focused on identifying the most current and objective information on synthetic turf, in order to provide an unbiased reference resource for the residents of the Village of Ridgewood.
R.E.A.C.’s assessment focused only on concerns, which are applicable in Ridgewood and are specific to the synthetic “infill” turf field design at Maple Park. Much of the information presented in the assessment was derived from actual testing at Maple Park, some of which was previously not available.
The assessment also includes test results and commentary from government sources, including the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, NYS Dept. of Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Environmental Protection Agency. Other important sources include the American Journal of Sports Medicine, British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Clean Washington Center (CWC), Penn State University Center for Sports Surface Research, Ridgewood Dept. of Parks & Recreation, RHS Athletic Dept. and RHS Director of Health & Wellness. There are extensive video and website links incorporated into the assessment, which may be of interest to Ridgewood residents.
The assessment is intended to be a living document that can be modified as new credible information becomes available. The overall conclusions from the assessment are that there is no evidence that the synthetic field at Maple Park poses a threat to the environment, the flood plain around the park or children, who use the field. In addition, the assessment highlights a number environmental and functional advantages that have been realized locally and beyond Ridgewood, as a result of the field installation. R.E.A.C. notes that it did not consider financial costs or potential savings associated with the field when conducting its assessment, as these were beyond the environmental, heath and safety scope of the assessment.
The R.E.A.C. is an independent volunteer committee, appointed by the Village Council, with experience and/or interest in environmental issues. REAC advises the Village Council on environmental, health and human safety issues in Ridgewood. It also seeks to assist the residents of Ridgewood in addressing environmental concerns by advocating “best practices”, which protect the environment, respect the ecosystem and promote sustainability.
For additional information, please contact John Halenar with R.E.A.C. at johnhalenar@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Good questions & answers at last night's community meeting
I'd say there were about 30 people at last night's community meeting on the referendum. Many people brought questions, which Dr. Fishbein and Board of Education members answered. Most of the questions focused on trying to find alternatives to the $48 million bond referendum to address our facilities needs. The trouble is, there really are not many alternatives. To put it bluntly, it sucks that we have to do this, but the system is currently set-up so that the only way to accomplish major capital work is via bonds, which must be approved by voters.
Have we explored all our options? I believe we have.
To reiterate some of the suggestions/alternative solutions I've heard:
* Budget significantly more in capital work within our regular operating budget? Can't do it without removing programs or otherwise impacting daily education activities.
* Budget significantly more in capital work by increasing our regular operating budget? Not allowed, due to the state's budget cap.
* Get corporations to sponsor building projects (to create the RHS Pepsi Stadium or the Hawes Verizon Wing)? Companies aren't doing those types of donations anymore.
* Get the work done with our customary $2 million per year for capital and maintenance? Unfortunately, $2 million does not go very far when we have 11 buildings (One million square feet!) and a single school roof can cost $2 million.
* Split out the fields (or some other project) from this referendum? Too late. The ballot question is locked in.
* Re-open Glen School and redistrict? Re-opening Glen would require construction at Glen to add a cafeteria, library, art room and music room. We would need to hire a principal, secretary, nurse, art teacher and librarian, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to our operating budget every year. Re-opening Glen would not address the needs at GW and RHS. And re-opening Glen does not address our wellness/athletics needs.
Those are the most comment suggestions. I wish some of them would work. But unfortunately, the way school funding is set up, and with the budget cap, bonds, voted by referendum, are the only way to do major facilities work.
Have we explored all our options? I believe we have.
To reiterate some of the suggestions/alternative solutions I've heard:
* Budget significantly more in capital work within our regular operating budget? Can't do it without removing programs or otherwise impacting daily education activities.
* Budget significantly more in capital work by increasing our regular operating budget? Not allowed, due to the state's budget cap.
* Get corporations to sponsor building projects (to create the RHS Pepsi Stadium or the Hawes Verizon Wing)? Companies aren't doing those types of donations anymore.
* Get the work done with our customary $2 million per year for capital and maintenance? Unfortunately, $2 million does not go very far when we have 11 buildings (One million square feet!) and a single school roof can cost $2 million.
* Split out the fields (or some other project) from this referendum? Too late. The ballot question is locked in.
* Re-open Glen School and redistrict? Re-opening Glen would require construction at Glen to add a cafeteria, library, art room and music room. We would need to hire a principal, secretary, nurse, art teacher and librarian, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to our operating budget every year. Re-opening Glen would not address the needs at GW and RHS. And re-opening Glen does not address our wellness/athletics needs.
Those are the most comment suggestions. I wish some of them would work. But unfortunately, the way school funding is set up, and with the budget cap, bonds, voted by referendum, are the only way to do major facilities work.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Get Referendum Facts Tonight: Q&A and School Tours
I hope we'll get a decent turnout tonight at the Community Meeting at George Washington Middle School auditorium. The session begins at 7:30 p.m. with a presentation by Superintendent Dan Fishbein followed by questions-and-answers -- anything you want to know, we'll answer! This is a chance for everyone in the community, parents, non-parents, senior citizens, all registered voters, to get the facts, see plans, clarify rumors, etc.
Prior to tonight's meeting at GW, everyone has a chance to tour Willard Elementary School, Travell Elementary School, Hawes Elementary School, GW Middle School and Ridgewood High School. Principals and other staff will give a first-hand look at some of the conditions in need of renovation and expansion. Tours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Hope to see you tonight!
(And don't forget to VOTE on Dec. 8!)
Prior to tonight's meeting at GW, everyone has a chance to tour Willard Elementary School, Travell Elementary School, Hawes Elementary School, GW Middle School and Ridgewood High School. Principals and other staff will give a first-hand look at some of the conditions in need of renovation and expansion. Tours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Hope to see you tonight!
(And don't forget to VOTE on Dec. 8!)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
BF Community donates 130 turkeys for needy families!
Congratulations and thank you to the Ben Franklin Middle School community for today donating 130 turkeys for local needy families. This is the unofficial total, and I'm told it may be just one turkey shy of the previous record. (Can anyone confirm this?)
As a reader posted here earlier this evening: "Great job BF'ers. Your community is proud of you. There will be lots of appreciative and well-fed families on Thanksgiving."
Wishing a warm and happy Thanksgiving to all.
As a reader posted here earlier this evening: "Great job BF'ers. Your community is proud of you. There will be lots of appreciative and well-fed families on Thanksgiving."
Wishing a warm and happy Thanksgiving to all.
Interview with Dr. Fishbein on Ridgewood Patch
Ridgewood Patch, the new online local news site, has posted a brief interview with Superintendent Dan Fishbein on the Referendum. It's a fairly accurate story, but...I don't know why the reporter felt the need to describe Dr. Fishbein's "spacious...corner office." Wow, sounds pretty fancy. Anyone who visits the Ed Center will notice that this historic building is anything but posh...Also, Dr. Fishbein's office is not in a corner. I guess it's spacious enough (I've seen much larger offices), and yes it's also somewhat cozy -- due in part to the nice paint job Dr. Fishbein did himself.
This might be a good time to point out that the Ed Center -- in the building that was formerly the Beech Street School, built in 1894 -- is not included in the list of Referendum projects. The building is in OK shape -- the roof has issues, there are leaks, the wind whistles through the windows like a freight train -- but we decided to focus on school buildings as the priority. You should stop by the Ed Center sometime...it's an interesting building. Did you know that the 3rd floor, where we hold public meetings, was the gymnasium? I find it amazing that they'd put a gym on top and classrooms beneath. Also, there's a good story about the construction of the building, which I wrote about last year (click here to read).
So, looking beyond the needs of the Ed Center and Ridgewood Patch's skewed portrayal of Dr. Fishbein's office, check out the Ridgewood Patch story. Click here to read the article.
This might be a good time to point out that the Ed Center -- in the building that was formerly the Beech Street School, built in 1894 -- is not included in the list of Referendum projects. The building is in OK shape -- the roof has issues, there are leaks, the wind whistles through the windows like a freight train -- but we decided to focus on school buildings as the priority. You should stop by the Ed Center sometime...it's an interesting building. Did you know that the 3rd floor, where we hold public meetings, was the gymnasium? I find it amazing that they'd put a gym on top and classrooms beneath. Also, there's a good story about the construction of the building, which I wrote about last year (click here to read).
So, looking beyond the needs of the Ed Center and Ridgewood Patch's skewed portrayal of Dr. Fishbein's office, check out the Ridgewood Patch story. Click here to read the article.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Referendum Update: School Tours, Community Meeting on Nov. 30
The community is invited to George Washington Middle School auditorium on Monday 11/30 at 7:30 p.m. for a presentation and question-and-answer session on the upcoming referendum. This event is for everyone in the community, parents, non-parents, senior citizens, all registered voters. Come get the facts and ask questions, see plans, etc.
Prior to the meeting at GW, principals and other staff will be leading tours at a few schools, to give a first-hand look at some of the conditions in need of renovation and expansion. Tours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at RHS, Travell, Willard, Hawes and GW.
There are also some photos posted on the district website, showing some of the building conditions. Click here and then click on the school photos you'd like to see.
Questions are also welcome at referendum09@ridgewood.k12.nj.us, or post a question here.
Prior to the meeting at GW, principals and other staff will be leading tours at a few schools, to give a first-hand look at some of the conditions in need of renovation and expansion. Tours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at RHS, Travell, Willard, Hawes and GW.
There are also some photos posted on the district website, showing some of the building conditions. Click here and then click on the school photos you'd like to see.
Questions are also welcome at referendum09@ridgewood.k12.nj.us, or post a question here.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Rumor control: this week’s “out there” referendum comments & questions
As Board members speak with community members at HSA meetings, neighborhood coffees, cocktail parties or on the sidelines, I’m surprised nearly every day with some of the questions I get or the rumors I’m asked to confirm or deny. I’m surprised because it seems like no matter how hard we try to get the facts out there, many people still have many questions (and some people haven’t even heard of the upcoming vote!).
Here are some of the more “out there” comments I heard this past week:
Rumor: "If the Referendum fails, they will redistrict the middle schools, and force some students to move from GW to BF." (Variation: "All Village 6th graders will go to GW and all Village 7th and 8th graders will go to BF.")
Fact: Moving middle school kids around from one side of town to the other is not going to solve our space problems. And consolidating two full grades at BF would mean a population of 800 students…that is not something BF could physically accommodate. Besides that, an 800-student middle school is a completely different environment, educationally, logistically and socially—which would create a whole new slate of issues. Finally, the transportation costs alone to bus kids across town would make this extremely cost-prohibitive.
Rumor: "The track at BF will have an artificial turf field inside."
Fact: The infield of the new track at BF will be a natural grass field.
Rumor: "Ridge and Willard will get computers and Smartboards as part of the referendum, while our school had to fundraise for those things."
Fact: There is no technology -- no computers and no Smartboards -- in the Referendum projects. Ridge and Willard will have Computer Labs added, but those are just new rooms that will house the labs. Currently Ridge's computer lab is in the hallway.
Rumor: "BF students will not be allowed to use the track and field at their school, as it will be reserved for high school students."
Fact: BF students will have complete use of the track and field, including gym classes and afterschool intramurals.
Comment: "The Referendum is not fair for schools such as Somerville or Orchard, which are not scheduled for major renovations or expansions."
Answer: The Board must look at the needs of the entire District as a whole. There’s no east side or west side when we look at needs. We could point out that Somerville was expanded in the last referendum and Orchard has had many projects completed in recent years. The selection of projects included in the referendum should make it clear that we did not simply “give” every school something. We truly balanced the needs of the entire district.
Comment: "We can’t trust the BOE to spend our money wisely. Look how much money and time they just wasted on the new bathrooms at Vets Field."
Answer: Huh? Sorry. OK, here’s the deal: the Board of Education and the School District are completely separate from the Village of Ridgewood. We don’t share budgets, we don’t share management, we don’t share ownership of properties… The bathrooms at Vets are a Village project, not the schools.
However, to address any worries about trusting the BOE with the finances: our budget for these projects is set. The amount that we bond for is the maximum we can spend. We simply are not allowed, by law, to go over budget. If our contingency doesn’t cover change orders due to some unforeseen expensive development, we are required to reduce or eliminate other projects to come in at the $48 million amount. We can’t just pass an ordinance if we need more money. We will hire a construction manager to examine and justify each and every invoice and change order.
More comments and questions to come…
Here are some of the more “out there” comments I heard this past week:
Rumor: "If the Referendum fails, they will redistrict the middle schools, and force some students to move from GW to BF." (Variation: "All Village 6th graders will go to GW and all Village 7th and 8th graders will go to BF.")
Fact: Moving middle school kids around from one side of town to the other is not going to solve our space problems. And consolidating two full grades at BF would mean a population of 800 students…that is not something BF could physically accommodate. Besides that, an 800-student middle school is a completely different environment, educationally, logistically and socially—which would create a whole new slate of issues. Finally, the transportation costs alone to bus kids across town would make this extremely cost-prohibitive.
Rumor: "The track at BF will have an artificial turf field inside."
Fact: The infield of the new track at BF will be a natural grass field.
Rumor: "Ridge and Willard will get computers and Smartboards as part of the referendum, while our school had to fundraise for those things."
Fact: There is no technology -- no computers and no Smartboards -- in the Referendum projects. Ridge and Willard will have Computer Labs added, but those are just new rooms that will house the labs. Currently Ridge's computer lab is in the hallway.
Rumor: "BF students will not be allowed to use the track and field at their school, as it will be reserved for high school students."
Fact: BF students will have complete use of the track and field, including gym classes and afterschool intramurals.
Comment: "The Referendum is not fair for schools such as Somerville or Orchard, which are not scheduled for major renovations or expansions."
Answer: The Board must look at the needs of the entire District as a whole. There’s no east side or west side when we look at needs. We could point out that Somerville was expanded in the last referendum and Orchard has had many projects completed in recent years. The selection of projects included in the referendum should make it clear that we did not simply “give” every school something. We truly balanced the needs of the entire district.
Comment: "We can’t trust the BOE to spend our money wisely. Look how much money and time they just wasted on the new bathrooms at Vets Field."
Answer: Huh? Sorry. OK, here’s the deal: the Board of Education and the School District are completely separate from the Village of Ridgewood. We don’t share budgets, we don’t share management, we don’t share ownership of properties… The bathrooms at Vets are a Village project, not the schools.
However, to address any worries about trusting the BOE with the finances: our budget for these projects is set. The amount that we bond for is the maximum we can spend. We simply are not allowed, by law, to go over budget. If our contingency doesn’t cover change orders due to some unforeseen expensive development, we are required to reduce or eliminate other projects to come in at the $48 million amount. We can’t just pass an ordinance if we need more money. We will hire a construction manager to examine and justify each and every invoice and change order.
More comments and questions to come…
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