OCEANPORT — The Oceanport School District is asking voters to weigh in on a $33 million bond referendum Dec. 10 to improve facilities at the Wolf Hill and Maple Place schools.
“Our buildings are rather aged and they are in serious need of upgrade and repair,” said Anne R. Facendo, the Oceanport superintendent. “The Wolf Hill Elementary School, which services pre-K through grade four, is 108 years old.” She also said the median age of the two combined facilities is 81.5 years old and the district’s last referendum was in 1996.
If the referendum is approved, the district anticipates receiving 34 percent of the total 40 percent it will be eligible for in state aid, to off-set costs. In that case, the average homeowner in Oceanport would pay an additional $43.32 a month, or $519.85 per year, on their tax bills.
Because Sea Bright is a sending district to Oceanport schools, its residents will weigh in on the vote and the costs as well. If approved, the average Sea Bright homeowner can expect an extra $4.93 a month, or $59.19 a year, on their tax bills.
According to business administrator Valery Petrone, the district has spent $1.7 million on required maintenance over the past 10 years.
If the referendum passes, both schools will receive new fire sprinkler systems; fire alarm systems; secure vestibules and lockdown capabilities; safety glazing on lower level windows; camera systems; new windows; new roofing systems; flooring; classroom furnishings; mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades; new lighting fixtures; parking improvements; and gym renovations, among other features.
Wolf Hill School will see a new media center, cafeteria and connecting courtyard; six new classrooms will be added; toilet facilities will be renovated in pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, as now required by law; a new bus drop-off loop will be added; ADA-compliant spaces will be renovated; and more.
At Maple Place School, the science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) wing will be renovated with science labs, computer labs and more. There will also be renovations to the cafetorium, locker rooms with individualized showers, media center and guidance and physical therapist/occupational therapist rooms.
Frank A. Messineo, principal and owner of Solutions Architecture, said the district has a 2 percent cap on the budget that they cannot exceed, which makes it hard to fund large-ticket items like fixing leaking roofs or removing asbestos tiled flooring. “It’s an ongoing fight and we can never really catch up. And the referendum is our one best chance to do something like that,” he said. “And by allowing the district to finance these over many years, the cost is spread out and debt service aid is available.”
He also said that bond rates are at a historic low, making this a good time to have a referendum. “But they’re not going to stay there forever so we want to try to take advantage of this,” he said.
According to the proposal, Wolf Hill School’s estimated 14,800-square-foot expansion will help accommodate the influx of children entering the Oceanport School District from the new housing developments at former Fort Monmouth.
At a referendum presentation at a recent Sea Bright council meeting, a resident asked about the projections of student populations over the next five to 10 years.
School board member Meghan Walker said a demographic study showed enrollment is steadily declining. However, 720 residential units are being built at the former fort. Projections show that once those children enter the school system, the demographics will about mirror the student population today.
According to the district, 81 of the 720 total residential units are “dedicated to Acute Care, which will produce no school age children, leaving 639 units.” Of the 639 units, 116 have already been built and are occupied. As a result, the district gained 20 new students. With this in mind, the district anticipates it will receive 109 students once the rest of the residential units are built.
The vote will be held Dec. 10 from 2 to 8 p.m. in Oceanport and in Sea Bright. The full presentation is available on the school website at oceanport.k12.nj.us.
