Architects and district staff updated the Haddonfield School District board on a packed schedule of referendum projects Tuesday, reporting that several major renovations are moving into the bid or design phase while one historic building’s bids exceeded budget.

A Land Associates/Colliers representative said, “We’ve received bids in the 1890s building and also the window replacements,” and added that bids for the 1890s building came in over budget. “Per state statute, if the project is rejected twice, we can formally open up that project to negotiations with contractors,” the presenter said, and staff have already begun negotiations to value‑engineer costs and aim for an award in January.

Why it matters: these projects include a combination of safety, instructional and accessibility work that the district plans to complete over multiple summers. The board heard timelines for central projects: the district aims to bid Hopkins turf field and associated parking in January, to award some bids in late March with summer construction, and to combine contracts for the Tatum and Haddon projects to increase competition.

Details the board heard included:

- Central Elementary School phase 2 will expand the nurses’ and guidance suite by converting underused classrooms; target bid date was cited as February with a late March award and summer construction.

- Hopkins turf field will include new parking and a plaza; the district plans to bring the parking online ahead of the Hopkins gym construction to provide contractor staging areas.

- The high‑school auditorium project, tied to classroom and C‑wing renovations and secure vestibule work, is slated to open bids late January with awards in late February and construction mobilization the following summer; the presenter said substantial construction completion for some projects could extend into 2027 and beyond (Hopkins gym noted as a 2028 substantial completion target for that specific gym project).

- Districtwide fire alarm replacements were described as in design after recent additions to Hatton and Tatum; the presenter said some schools will receive full replacements in the coming summer with the balance the following year.

District facilities staff described ongoing closeouts and sequencing: punch‑list items remain for interior alterations; incorrectly ordered doors will be swapped; a middle‑school auditorium renovation is about 45% complete and seating and AV equipment are on order. On timing for window replacement work, the presenter said contractors may start auditorium work in May and other projects in June after school ends, with an October substantial‑completion target for some phases to ease scheduling and costs.

Board members pressed for schedule flexibility to avoid interfering with school operations and asked staff to use emergency or special committee meetings over the holidays if negotiations require faster action. The district also flagged bidding strategy changes: some projects were rebid and are now being negotiated to reach a cost suitable for award.

Next steps: staff said they will continue negotiations and bring award recommendations back to the board, with several projects expected to be awarded this winter for summer work.