School construction finished under budget
Over $350K left from 1999 referendum will be used to pay down debts
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

"It's not always that we can sit here and say that we're giving some money back into the community... I'm very proud to see we're going to be returning money back to the taxpayers." - Robert Long

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Board of Education Vice President Robert Long announced Monday that the district has saved $354,479 in construction costs, which will be used to settle part of the district's debts.

The money is left over from a 1999 referendum where residents voted to construct a new elementary school, Brooks Crossing, and expand the already existing Crossroads North School and the high school. The original bond issued for these projects came out to $46,990,000. After being issued, the district began to search for companies and prices for construction.

"The prices must have come in favorably, so in the end there was still money left," said Business Administrator Anthony Tonzini.

The referendum came in response to what voters felt was a need for more seats in an overcrowded district. It passed by 60 percent.

The addition to Crossroads added 200 seats while the addition to the high school added 800. Prior to the referendum, some classes were being held in trailers. The referendum also changed the grade structure in the district from K-4 to K-5.

"It's not always that we can sit here and say that we're giving some money back into the community. ... I'm very proud to see we're going to be returning money back to the taxpayers," said Long.

Meanwhile, the results of a later referendum were on their way to completion, according to Superintendent Gary McCartney. During the meeting, McCartney said that the final phase of the school renovation projects are close to being completed and should be finished in time for the start of this coming school year.

"We have every reason to believe that they will be ready for our students on their first day of school," said McCartney.

The $46 million renovations of the elementary schools, which gained voter approval in 2003, went in two phases. The first phase, involving the Greenbrook and Brunswick Acres schools, was completed just before the beginning of the 2005-06 school year. The second phase involves the Cambridge, Constable and Monmouth Junction schools.

Cambridge will see eight additional classrooms, two of which will be for kindergartners. Additionally, there will be a new music room, art room and small group instruction room as well as new bathrooms and storage, and a raised stage. Also, the cafeteria, kitchen and heating and cooling system will be overhauled.

Constable will have six additional classrooms by the time students fill its halls. There will also be a multipurpose room added, as well as major alterations to various offices, classrooms, the library, faculty room, and replacement of the heating and cooling system.

Finally, Monmouth Junction Elementary will be getting a new cafeteria and kitchen, a music room, an art room, new storage areas and restrooms. Additionally, seven classrooms and four small group instruction rooms will be altered, as well as the library, various offices and, again, the heating and cooling system will be replaced.

Students will be able to experience these renovations for themselves when they return to school on Sept. 7.