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Board discusses $101,000 SDA reimbursement, playground safety and field rentals; 7 Industrial Road appraisal authorized
Summary
At the workshop the board reviewed an SDA grant reimbursement for asbestos remediation, discussed safety at North Boulevard playground, field rental issues and enforcement, and heard that an appraisal for 7 Industrial Road will be ordered while other property options are considered.
The Pequannock Township School District on May 12 discussed several facilities and finance items: reimbursement from the Schools Development Authority, playground safety at North Boulevard, community rentals of turf fields and options for relocating the board office.
Business staff reported the district can receive a $101,000 SDA grant reimbursement for asbestos remediation done last summer at Hillview; the total remediation project cost was about $300,000 and the reimbursement would be deposited into capital reserve.
Board members raised safety concerns after a small child fell through a gap at the North Boulevard playground. Administrators showed board members photographs and said the apparatus has openings that allow a “graduated climb down” and that preschool-aged children are supervised by an aide when playing. District staff said they are adding interim safety measures and are pursuing a new inclusive playground specifically for pre-K and students with disabilities, though the district cautioned the replacement may not be ready at the start of the 2025–26 school year.
Members also discussed rental of the high-school turf fields to nonresidents. Complaints included trash left on the fields, dogs on turf, fence damage and general wear that could reduce field life. Board members and administrators discussed possible responses: tracking which groups leave garbage, charging rental security deposits, graduated penalties for repeat offenders, or limiting rentals to residents. The administration said it will analyze revenue versus custodial and maintenance costs and return recommendations.
On board-office options, the board authorized getting an appraisal for the New York Turnpike property and discussed an older, lower‑priced building under consideration; members said that while 7 Industrial Road remains a possibility, projected rental revenue is substantially lower than earlier estimates and that other options might be more attractive. Administrators noted that capital-reserve funds cannot be used for general operating expenses but can be applied to capital projects.
No final binding decisions were made; staff will return with recommended policies for field rentals, playground replacement timelines and results of the appraisal.
