Board hears referendum construction update; bids for high-school auditorium and school additions targeted for January

A Colliers representative updated the Haddonfield School District board on the status of referendum-funded construction projects, saying multiple workstreams are moving toward bid and construction timelines. The presenter said the district has two packages currently out to bid — the Memorial High School window project and the 1890s interior alterations — and plans to issue a combined interiors package that will include the Tatum and Haddon additions and the Memorial High auditorium as a single bid with three line items.

The presenter said construction documents for the Haddonfield High School interiors were nearing completion with a target to put the package out to bid in mid-January and to award it at a January board meeting. He added that the work includes fire alarm replacements and that code requirements mean several second-floor additions must be fire suppressed; those systems were folded into the respective bid packages.

Regarding athletics infrastructure, the presenter said the Hopkins turf-field, parking expansion and amenities are scheduled to be bid in January with an intent to mobilize in March so contractors can work in more favorable weather; substantial completion for the athletic-field work is projected around July 2026. The board asked about changes to curb cuts and temporary parking impacts; the presenter said the plan is to keep the curb-cut location approximately the same but widen the entry to reduce conflict with county roadway concerns and avoid creating a new curb cut adjacent to neighboring parcels.

The Colliers representative also described reset timelines for several smaller projects: a rebid for the 1890s alterations with a December bid opening, wing-window replacements with an anticipated December bid opening and a targeted December–January award window, and a phased approach to fire-alarm replacement across the middle and high schools with a separate package targeted for November 2026. Projects in closeout — Hatton Elementary interior alterations and flooring abatement — were reported near completion, with punch-list items and closeout documentation pending.

The board and staff discussed coordination points with county roadway authorities and with contractors to minimize disruption to school operations and parking. The presenter said the district will circulate final schedules and noted that some bid dates were delayed to avoid holiday-season posting in December. The board did not take formal action on the update; the presentation provided schedule milestones staff will use to prepare upcoming bid approvals.