Details Begin to Emerge in $85 Million Middle School Renovation Project

For the first time since the Board of Finance reduced the middle school renovation project proposal to $85 million on July 6, members of the public had a chance to learn what the reduction will mean for the project.

School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. joined Joseph Costa, principal of the architecture firm Fletcher Thomson, to tell the town council Monday night that a revised proposal is in the works and would be made available for the first time during a discussion with the Board of Education next week.

At Issue
Last Wednesday, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to cut the original proposal passed by the Board of Education for the renovation-as-new of both the Kennedy and DePaolo middle schools to $85 million.

The reduction represents a $15.1 million reduction from the original $100.1 million proposal passed earlier this year by the Board of Education.

The proposal includes monies for ongoing property negotiations, town officials confirmed, and has drawn attention from residents on both sides including a half dozen families that attended Monday’s Town Council meeting for the purpose of learning more.

Those families did not speak on the issue Monday.

What's Next
Erardi said cuts to the proposal would need to come from the actual construction phase of the project and no decisions have been made yet as to what pieces will be cut but it would likely include one new room at each middle school, possibly compromising a second.

The reductions in space and construction will be discussed further during a Board of Education meeting scheduled for July 19, he said.

Town Council members also voted unanimously, with Chris Palmieri abstaining and Council Chairman Edward Pocock III and Tony D’Angelo absent, to hold a full public hearing on July 25.

If approved, the proposal would be set for a referendum during the November election.

‘Speaking’ of...
“As a homeowner would sit with planners and do what best for their family, we realize there are cost restrictions that must be met. It will still be a considerable upgrade to the facilities over what we have now.” – School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr.

“This is huge undertaking and sitting in back and listening (at the meeting last week), the most important aspect was the conversation that occurred. It was no different than sitting at home and asking, ‘I want this, but does it fit my needs?” – Councilman Albert Natelli Jr.

“I was there the other evening at the Board of Finance and felt what was done was responsible and done in the interest of due diligence, but I do think in reducing costs there is a need to keep air conditioning in project.” – Councilwoman Dawn Miceli