'How can we have any faith?': Watchung BOE breaks impasse on voter-approved project
WATCHUNG – After a few months of stalling on naming an architect for the approved $16 million referendum project, the Board of Education has decided Design Resources Group (DRG) was the right firm for the job after all.
DRG was the design team that developed the referendum plans approved by borough voters in December.
But at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting, the school board, with several new members, put off renaming DRG as architects for the project. The Board oversees two schools in the pre-K-8 district.
Superintendent of Schools George P. Alexis had recommended DRG as the architect.
After going out for bids again on the project, the board voted 7-1 on March 14 to award the contract of DRG.
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The only exception was Board Vice President Anthony Ingrassia who opposed the referendum and reiterated that he intends to look into other aspects of the referendum plans.
The project calls for improvements to both Valley View Middle School and Bayberry Elementary School, including HVAC, renovated athletic fields and air conditioning. But Ingrassia said that he wishes to "readdress" those features
But several parents told board members at the March 14 meeting that the referendum plans were approved by voters and should be moving forward.
"When I voted for the referendum, I voted for it because of the specific projects identified by the referendum architects," said Katie Corrigan, a former teacher at Watchung Hills Regional High School. "These types of continuing comments the likes of which Mr. Ingrassia were making before the referendum passed do not instill any sense of confidence in the members of this community. How can we have any faith that you are going to follow the law and the public will when you were sitting there saying the same thing you said before the referendum votes?"
Corrigan asked for reassurance that the Board will proceed with the project as approved by voters.
"You are not permitted to pick this referendum apart piece by piece," she said.
Alexis delivered unexpected good news at the March 14 meeting when he said the sale of a bond to fund the project attracted seven bidders and yielded a rate of 3.75%, which was lower than before.
"The lower rate means that the annual average tax impact on the average home in Watchung has decreased by $14 to $309," Alexis said. "The proceeds of the sale have been received and placed in the district’s interest-bearing account."
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Watchung NJ school board breaks impasse on construction plan
