Margate BOE amends long range facilities plan to ensure receipt of ROD grants

The Margate Board of Education maintains offices at the William H. Ross School.

By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY

MARGATE The Board of Education Wednesday, April 10 amended its Long Range Facilities Plan to align it with requirements to receive Regular Operating District funds from the NJ Department of Education and School Development Authority.

The ROD grant could provide up to 40% of the cost of replacing HVAC systems at the William H. Ross School and the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School, Superintendent Audrey Becker said.

We are not asking for a new bond. We are just realigning expenditures to coincide with ROD grant requirements, she said.

The projects will be funded in part with a $6 million bond ordinance approved on April 21, 2022 by the Margate Board of Commissioners for school improvement projects. The bonding amount was pared down from the school district's original request of $16 million for needed capital projects outlined in the district's long range facilities plan prepared by Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. The biggest expenditures in the plan are for HVAC and roof replacements.

The adjustments include new estimates of costs:

• $2.5 million to repair and re-coat roofing, including removal of solar panels at the Tighe School


• $2.2 million for HVAC replacements at both schools


• $157,781 for alarm upgrades and playground surfaces at both schools


• $321,685 to replace flooring at both schools


• $455,000 for upgrades to seating, flooring, lighting and stage curtains at the Dominick A. Potena Performing Arts Center


• $173,850 to repair, seal and caulk windows at both schools


• $204,000 for soft costs associated with each project

The school board also authorized Spiezle Architectural Group as the district's registered architect and design consultant. The company will prepare all plans, specifications, drawings and bid-related documents for the HVAC projects.

The board also approved joining Atlantic County and the Sheriff's Office in applying for a $112,500 LEAP (Local Efficiency Achievement Program) grant to provide the services of a bloodhound to do K-9 narcotics and explosive device detection when needed. The shared services agreement will reduce costs for local units that sign-on to the program. The Sheriff's Office will be the lead agency in the grant request.

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