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Board highlights capital work: security vestibules, MHS atrium renovation and a $175,000 Hillrest roof change order
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff summarized ongoing building projects including security vestibules, MHS atrium renovations, roofing and lab updates; the board was told of an unexpected $175,000 change order for the Hillrest roof but that the project remained within a $250,000 change-order allowance.
Superintendent Dr. Mucci and finance leaders told the Morris School District Board of Education about an active summer of facilities work — from security vestibules and an MHS atrium renovation to new science labs — and reported an unexpected $175,000 change order on the Hillrest roof project that remains within the project’s change-order allowance.
Dr. Mucci opened the facilities update by listing district-wide activity: security vestibules at Woodland, FMS and MHS, the MHS atrium and guidance-suite renovation, and roofing, paving and painting projects across multiple sites. “The district is bustling with a tremendous amount of activity at all sites as we make significant building plan improvements,” she said.
Finance committee speaker Linda provided further detail on sites and work: HVAC duct work and stage work in the auditorium, replacement of gym and pool roofs, guidance-area renovations and plans to update six science labs using primarily internal resources. On change orders, she said the Hillrest roof contractor submitted a $175,000 change order described as “terribly high and really unexpected,” but noted the amount falls under a $250,000 allowance for change orders on that project.
Energy and financing pilot: Linda also described a pilot LED lighting upgrade using JCP&L utility incentives with contractor Priority One Heating and Cooling. Using the example the board was given, a $100,000 lighting project could receive a 45% utility incentive; the district would finance remaining costs through a zero-interest, five-year lease-purchase agreement to capture operating-cost savings and roll out additional projects over a 3–5 year period.
Personnel and donations: The meeting included formal introductions of new building principals — Colleen Myers at Thomas Jefferson School and Mr. Fallon at another elementary site — both of whom spoke about beginning in mid-August and engaging families. The board also acknowledged donations including an alto saxophone from alumnus Stuart Heiser and monetary gifts for library books and school programs.
What this means: The Hillrest roof change order will affect project accounting and was flagged for attention even though finance staff said it did not exceed the project’s contractual change-order allowance. The lighting pilot offers a financing model the district hopes to extend to other infrastructure upgrades.
Next steps: Staff will continue construction oversight and provide updates at future board meetings; facility and budget implications arising from the change order and pilot projects will be addressed in forthcoming finance reports.
