Northern Burlington board approves negotiated contract for new auditorium after $2 million in savings; one member objects

On March 24, 2025, the Northern Burlington County Regional School District Board of Education voted to approve a negotiated award of contract to Arthur J. Ogren to build a new high‑school auditorium, with the motion passing on a roll call vote 8–1.

Business administrator Mr. Kaz told the board the district went out to bid twice and both bids exceeded the budget. He said district negotiators met directly with contractors and reached an agreement with Arthur J. Ogren, the firm that performed the district's 2018 addition and renovations. "I'm happy to report that we saved over $2,000,000 through this negotiations," Mr. Kaz said, and that the award was listed on the evening's agenda as a nonconsent resolution.

The board heard public comment before the vote from parents and booster volunteers who urged approval. Janice Circomo, president of the Parent Teacher Student Connection and the Northern Burlington Stagehounds booster club, described years of student work in theater under constrained conditions and said the auditorium would allow students to "shine in the new auditorium with the beautiful space and capacity they deserve." Cheryl Mendocino, who identified herself as a Chesterfield parent, said an auditorium would support not only performing arts but also assemblies, public speaking, and community events and could even generate rental revenue.

During board discussion, one member, Mr. Bucks, said he could not support the award because the auditorium portion of a prior referendum had been defeated by Springfield Township voters. "In Springfield that referendum was defeated 74% to 26%," Mr. Bucks said, and he announced he would vote no.

After the roll call, the board secretary announced the motion carried and the auditorium award passed. Mr. Kaz said, if all goes well, work could begin with site setup in May and that construction is expected to take about 18 months.

The auditorium contract was placed on the agenda after the district reported a change in projected revenues and expenses during development of the tentative 2025–26 budget. Mr. Kaz told the board the tentative budget has been submitted to the state and that the district expects state approval by about April 20; a public budget hearing is scheduled for the district's next regular meeting on May 5. He also reviewed several purchasing items on the business section of the agenda that are funded through specific program or enterprise balances rather than the general tax levy: 800 Chromebooks, 40 desktop computers, 30 iPads, electronic door locks for faculty/staff bathrooms, and kitchen equipment (including a commercial dishwasher and steamer) to be paid from the food‑service enterprise fund. Separately, the district presented a five‑year lease purchase agreement with U.S. Bank to finance the replacement of two buses in service more than 15 years (a 54‑passenger and a 24‑passenger bus).

Board members removed no items from the consent agenda and later approved the full consent agenda by roll call. The consent vote included routine items such as minutes, financial reports for January 2025, budget transfers, cafeteria and enterprise fund purchases, acceptance of donations, and personnel actions. The board also heard a brief new‑business inquiry from a member about reported online extortion targeting students; the superintendent and administrators said such reports would be referred to guidance and clinical staff for follow‑up and that they would seek more information to determine whether district outreach is needed.

Votes at a glance: 7.15 (nonconsent) '1: Acceptance of negotiated bid/award of contract to Arthur J. Ogren for high school auditorium (motion: not specified; second: not specified) 'Outcome: approved; roll call roughly 8 yes, 1 no (Mr. Bucks). Consent agenda (sections 5'17): approved unanimously by roll call (approx. 9'0 yes, 0 no).