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Preschool building walkthrough spotlights roughly $50 million referendum to replace trailers, upgrade safety and accessibility
Summary
A preschool walkthrough for the Stafford Township School District outlined a proposed roughly $50 million referendum to replace aging modular trailers with a two-story preschool building, add 24 classrooms, modernize HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, and improve ADA access, playgrounds and parking.
A preschool teacher leading a building walkthrough for the Stafford Township School District described an estimated $50 million referendum to replace aging modular trailers with a new two-story preschool building and modernize health, safety and instructional infrastructure.
The presenter said the referendum "is about $50 million towards the preschool tear down as well as then build up — that's 24 classrooms and then 11 of them on the foundation structure of the building," and stressed the upgrades would include HVAC, plumbing, electrical and technology improvements.
The referendum would also reconfigure outdoor spaces and play areas to better serve students with disabilities, the presenter said, adding adaptive playground equipment, new fencing and sensory-friendly spaces so preschool disability classrooms can use a calmer outdoor area. The plan calls for a secure main entrance and a separate night entrance for the gymnasium so community events can occur without opening the entire school.
Presenters pointed to multiple safety and accessibility problems in current classrooms: trailers with leaks and condensation, single-pane trailer windows, uneven floors and exposed piers underneath modular sections, widely varying sink and toilet heights that "do not meet" New Jersey preschool and ADA requirements, and limited or inconvenient electrical outlets for classroom use. "You can feel the difference" walking between the old foundation and the trailers, the presenter said, arguing the modular units have "lived their full useful life" and are not designed for long-term use.
On capacity, the presenter said state preschool grants allow the district to serve a larger population if facilities exist: "we have a universe that we could go to about 800 students; right now we [are] about 400," and noted the district has seen an influx of roughly 334 students transferring in over the past two years, creating pressure across grade levels.
Lighting, acoustics and instructional technology were also cited as reasons for renovation: classrooms currently use outdated fluorescent lighting and lack smartboards and other modern instructional tools; the project would replace lighting with LED fixtures and update electrical service and outlets to support technology.
The presenter described planned mechanical upgrades as including fully controllable HVAC units with building automation to allow occupied and unoccupied modes and to bring code-required fresh air into classrooms. The upgrades are intended to meet modern mechanical and energy codes for walls, roofs and fenestration.
Plans would also add more staff and bus parking on the other side of Route 9 to ease congestion during school hours and create more efficient circulation for students and visitors. Bathroom layout changes would add in-room changing tables and storage so diaper and supply storage no longer spills into classrooms.
The walkthrough concluded with thanks to district teachers, administrators, Board of Education members and township officials in attendance. No formal vote took place during the walkthrough; presenters framed the event as an informational site visit ahead of the referendum process.
Next steps stated during the walkthrough: further design work and outreach ahead of the referendum; no specific referendum date was given in the walkthrough.
