By KATIE MORGAN
Marlton is getting a helping hand from the state in funding repair and replacement projects at several district schools. Through the Schools Development Authority’s Regular Operating District Grant Program, Marlton will receive $618,912.
Schools Development Authority works in cooperation with the Department of Education to provide safe, modern and efficient school environments.
The once-suspended grant program was resumed in May 2010, and has since executed 255 grants, totaling $65 million, to New Jersey school districts. Bonds sold by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for $500 million fund the program.
“Two years ago, the New Jersey School Development Authority announced the availability of money for school construction projects,” said Marlton Superintendent John Scavelli.
At that time, the district received grant funding for roof replacements at Beeler School and Van Zant School. The projects were completed in 2009.
The current grant will aid in funding roof replacement projects at Florence V. Evans Elementary School, Robert B. Jaggard Elementary School, and Richard L. Rice Elementary School. In addition, the grant will help fund the replacement of all heating, ventilation and air conditioning automatic control systems at Marlton Middle School.
“The roofing replacements are primarily due to the conditions of the roofing systems which need to be replaced because of age,” said Scavelli.
The current automatic control systems at Marlton Middle School are computer-controlled systems, which were installed in 1992.
“The DOS controlled systems are obsolete and cannot be repaired because they are no longer supported by the factory or local supply houses,” said Scavelli. “This replacement will bring the control systems in line with the rest of the district’s buildings for better overall operational performance and energy control.”
The SDA grant funds 40 percent of projected costs, with the other 60 percent furnished by the district. The district’s share will total $928,267.
“The funds furnished by the district have been planned for and set aside in prior periods in the district’s Capital Reserve Account,” said Scavelli. “No additional referenda or taxes should be needed to fund the local share of the projects.”
The Evans School project will total $132,225. The Rice School project will total $271,040. The Jaggard School project will total $382,922.
The Marlton Middle School project will total $505,810.
Scavelli lauds the SDA for providing a percentage of the funding.
“This 40 percent saves the local taxpayers from having to shoulder the entire burden of the cost of the projects,” said Scavelli. “In addition, the district plans to implement a solar panel installation project sometime in the near future. When we are financially ready to do so, the roof structure will already be up to date, so the solar panels will not be installed on an old roof.”
The projects all have a start date of June 27, 2011, and must be completed no later than Aug. 26, 2011
