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West Orange board accepts $1.456 million preschool grant and outlines elementary air-conditioning plan
Summary
The board recorded acceptance of a FY24 preschool expansion grant of $1,456,000 for a six-classroom modular at Mount Pleasant Elementary and described a multi-year plan to add electrical capacity and window air-conditioning across elementary schools.
The West Orange Board of Education acknowledged and corrected its Aug. 18 minutes to include a business-office motion accepting FY24 preschool expansion grant funds totaling $1,456,000, earmarked for a six-classroom pre-K modular building at Mount Pleasant Elementary.
President Rock said the amount is allocated toward Mount Pleasant and described it as a step forward for pre-K capacity in the district. The motion to accept the corrected minutes and item was moved by Mr. Stevenson and seconded; the board approved the correction and the grant acceptance by roll call.
On facilities, the board described a multiyear plan to upgrade electrical capacity in elementary buildings so they can receive window air-conditioning units. President Rock said Washington Elementary's units are online, St. Cloud and Kelly have near-complete upgrades, and remaining schools (Hazel, Gregory, Mount Pleasant, Redwood) are scheduled for later in the cycle pending supply-chain timing and contractor schedules.
The board said the full list of long-term capital needs identified by an architect runs far beyond current resources; the district has chosen to prioritize electrical upgrades to permit window units as an interim approach while pursuing grants and state funding for larger projects.
Clarifying detail: the preschool expansion grant amount and the planned six pre-K classrooms at Mount Pleasant were stated in the meeting record; implementation timing for air-conditioning at specific schools was described as conditional on supply-chain and scheduling factors.
Next steps: the district will proceed with modular installation funded by the grant and continue electrical upgrades, while pursuing state grants and other funding mechanisms for broader capital improvements.
