District explores converting 'Building 5' for 18–21 program; staff asked state if changes would unlock a 34% infrastructure rebate
Summary
District officials said they are studying whether Building 5 can be converted into an 18–21 program for students with disabilities and whether proposed changes would qualify the work for an estimated 34% state reimbursement of infrastructure costs.
District leaders told the Mahwah Board of Education they are exploring repurposing an underused facility, known as "Building 5," to house a new 18–21 program for students with special needs, and are seeking state guidance on whether the space can qualify for state reimbursement.
Superintendent Dr. Detoro explained staff are in the preliminary design stages for an 18–21 program that would allow some students entitled to post‑graduation services to remain in‑district rather than go out of district for services. He said Building 5 includes non‑educational space today (locker rooms, large storage/file rooms) and the state had told district staff that, as currently configured, Building 5 "does not qualify for reimbursement because it's not an educational space." The superintendent said he asked staff to query the state about whether presenting the district’s planned educational use or making changes would allow the space to be classified as educational and thus make infrastructure costs eligible for an approximate 34% state rebate.
Board members and staff noted the potential fiscal and programmatic benefits: the 34% rebate applies to infrastructure costs and could materially lower project costs, and providing an in‑district 18–21 program would allow students to remain in the community. Administration emphasized that this is an early stage of planning, that the district has asked the state two targeted questions (would the vision qualify the space, and would changes stall existing timelines), and that staff will wait for the state's written clarification before changing the current March 10 timeline for related work.
No construction contract or formal appropriation was approved at the meeting. Staff said they would report state guidance to the board before advancing design or changing the referendum/application approach.
