Article published Nov 19, 2008 State will fund 40 percent of Sooy renovations
By BEN MERITT Staff Writer
HAMMONTON -- The state will fund 40 percent of a proposed $13.7 million renovation project at the Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School, district officials said.
Taxpayers would be responsible for the remaining 60 percent of the costs, or roughly $8.2 million.
Town residents will determine whether the project proceeds. A bond referendum will be held Dec. 9.
School officials received word about the state's funding commitment last week.
Hammonton Board of Education Loretta Rehmann welcomed the news.
"This is renovation and preservation of an existing facility," Rehmann said. "This is certainly a need that is very pressing. We have to act now before we lose that building. If you don't do anything about renovating it, you run the risk of it costing you more down the line."
Rehmann and other school district officials have been busy pitching the renovation project's merits to taxpayers.
School officials estimate it would cost $38 million to build a new elementary school.
Given the current economic climate, Rehmann said the district and taxpayers could benefit when -- and if -- the project is put out to bid.
"You have people looking for work (and) fuel costs coming down," Rehmann said. "I'm hoping our bids come in lower."
Rehmann already has gone before the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce and the Hammonton Home School Association to outline the project. District officials also will outline the plans to the district's teaching staff and the town's senior citizens.
A newsletter that explains the need for the project is being prepared for distribution.
"We'll talk to anybody who wants to listen to us," Rehmann said.
Rehmann is optimistic that the financial impact of the referendum, if passed, can be incorporated into the district's 2009-2010 operating budget.
"I'm really trying to work with the board. We don't have next year's budget planned at this time, but I would see -- even with this construction -- there would not be a (tax) increase," Rehmann said. "We're looking to save the money from the regular budget so we can move it into this project."
Sooy School, built 34 y ears ago, houses the district's pre-kindergarten program, as well as students in the second through fifth grades.
District officials are touting the need for myriad improvements, noting the structure still has its original boilers, wiring and plumbing, and pipes and water lines are leaking.
In addition to addressing those issues, the referendum calls for installation of double-paned windows to reduce heat loss, 54 security cameras, a new alarm system and a swipe card system that staff members would use to enter the building.
