The Moorestown board of education has approved sending project applications to the state for an evaluation process that will determine funding amounts at a referendum meeting last month.
Expanding and upgrading space for students: Proposed improvements include revamping Moorestown Upper Elementary School (UES) into a true elementary school with a third-grade wing; building a sixth-grade wing at William Allen Middle School (WAMS); moving transportation operations out of Moorestown High School (MHS) to create space for innovative programming; and enhancing and adding athletic facilities, according to the website for Moorestown Township Public Schools (MTPS).
Addressing aging systems and infrastructure: Proposed improvements include roof replacement, HVAC and boiler upgrades, masonry restoration and waterproofing.
Enhancing safety and security: Proposed improvements include PA and fire alarm system replacements, fencing, drainage and playground upgrades.
Improving campus parking and traffic flow: Proposed improvements include moving the bus depot, adding parking capacity, modifying driveways and working with traffic consultants.
“We are planning to have a capital referendum vote in March of 2025 and there are a number of deadlines that we have to comply with to make that happen,” said board President Mark Villanueva. “One of the steps in the process is the district’s submission of plans to the Department of Education, and that is so that they can consider what, and how much, the state will reimburse us for costs associated with the project.
“We are not voting on specifically what will be set forth in March of 2025,” he added. “This allows us the opportunity to show the state what we plan and see how much they’ll reimburse us for, and then we can continue to have conversations amongst ourselves and with the community about what the final project will look like that’s presented to the community.”
Path to a bond referendum: Some of the district’s buildings and infrastructure need attention to match the high-caliber education provided by MTPS. Older HVAC systems and roofs are ready for replacement. Space is insufficient for current and future students and athletic areas are due for improvement, among other issues.
Upgrades under consideration:
- Expanded and flexible learning spaces for students
- Safety and security enhancements
- Improvements to athletic areas
- Parking and traffic flow
- Drainage improvements
- Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting
- Improvements to outdoor play spaces to enhance accessibility, functionality and security
- Address aging infrastructure – roofs, HVAC/boilers, building exteriors, electrical
Why now?
- MTPS will soon pay off debt from a previous referendum. That presents an opportunity to manage the tax rate with strategic timing of a new investment.
- The district’s elementary schools need space now, and that need will only increase with anticipated growth.
- It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain old equipment and find replacement parts. Plus, new HVAC systems and lighting would be far more energy- and cost-efficient.
“The way I think, and I think most people would think this way, it’s really incredibly prudent for the board to send as many applications as they can to see what we’re getting back in exchange for those (projects),” said interim Superintendent Joe Bollendorf.
“So, making specific decisions on what we will or will not actually put forward in terms of a referendum are very much going to be tied to how much money we’re going to get back,” he added, “in terms of reimbursement from the state …
“Plus prioritizing in terms of needs, wants and other things that are going to, I believe, set this district up for an incredibly strong future.”
Responsible planning:
Students and staff: Renovations would improve student spaces in every school. Updates also would create the space and flexibility needed to reduce class sizes and accommodate various learning needs.
Community members: All residents can take pride in the excellent school system that helps define the township. Some projects under consideration include spaces that are or would be used by the community.
Taxpayers: When repairs and other projects are included in the annual budget, local taxes cover the entire cost. Through a bond referendum, the state pays for a percentage of the projects, reducing the amount needed from taxpayers. The state will review the district’s proposal before notifying us of the amount of aid we’d receive with voter approval. That information will be shared on this website once it is available.
Space issues :
- Lower elementary schools: Some grade levels are at capacity. Year to year, students have been sent to other elementary schools in the district rather than their neighborhood school because of insufficient space. If this trend continues, class sizes will grow beyond board-approved maximums.
- Upper Elementary School: MTPS houses fourth through sixth grades at UES, which means trying to maintain an elementary school environment for fourth- and fifth-grade students and a middle school schedule for sixth grade. This does not align with best practice.
- The opportunity to address space issues through a bond referendum would create a more optimal curricular experience across the district. Building onto all elementary schools is not feasible for environmental and other reasons, and constructing a new building would come at an expense to taxpayers. The most viable, cost-effective option is to build an addition at the middle school. That would mean following best practice by educating sixth-grade students at the middle school, reimagining UES as a pure elementary school for third, fourth, and fifth grades, and freeing up space at Baker, Roberts and South Valley to open the possibility of full-day, tuition-free kindergarten and ensure reasonable class sizes.
“ … What we’re interested in doing is being smart,” Bollendorf explained, “making sure that we are putting enough kids in every single class and then budgeting effectively over the course of the next few years in order to add to the staff that will be needed in order to be able to expand and provide smaller class sizes and more opportunity in the way of full-day kindergarten.
“That’s the essence of what needs to be done and why it needs to be done.”
Leading up to the referendum, the board will inform and engage the community through an expanded website, social media, printed materials, outreach events and more. Find more info at www.mtps.com and click on the referendum tab.
To view the referendum meeting, visit https://sites.google.com/mtps.us/future?usp=sharing.
