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Edison board hears designs, cost and timeline for John Marshall school addition; moves forward on financing process
Summary
Architects showed renderings and a construction estimate of roughly $31.5 million for the John Marshall School addition and renovation; the board opened a public hearing on lease‑purchase financing and authorized staff to pursue state approval and bids but made no final borrowing award.
DMR Architects presented plans and cost estimates for a major addition and renovation at John Marshall School, telling the Edison Township Board of Education the work is intended to relieve overcrowding and provide a new cafetorium, gymnasium, three‑story classroom wing and upgraded security and administrative spaces.
"We estimate this project to be about 30,471,000 in pure construction cost," said Pradeep Kapoor, president and CEO of DMR Architects, adding that total hard construction costs come to about $31.47 million after a required electrical service upgrade. Designer Kurt Verik showed renderings of a new security vestibule, a cafetorium converted from an existing cafeteria and a three‑story classroom wing. DMR said it will carry a standard 5% contingency and has set aside roughly $750,000 for furniture.
The board opened a separate public hearing on financing for the ground lease and lease‑purchase structure. Board members and members of the public pressed administration staff on likely interest rates and the estimated annual payments. Board officials said they will submit required applications to the state and, pending approval, solicit bids for short‑term financing. One board member offered a working example to illustrate possible payments: at an illustrative rate near 4.8%, annual debt service could be roughly $6 million in the first year with tiered increases in subsequent years, though the district stressed actual rates will be set by returned bids.
Board President Mr B Patel said the financing hearing is an opportunity for public input before staff applies for state approval and moves to a formal contract award. "This will be extremely beneficial to the students," he said, noting the project aims to resolve a capacity crisis at John Marshall.
DMR told the board it expects construction documents to be completed this month, a bid solicitation to follow, and phased construction to begin after permits and contract award; phase one (new lobby and office areas) is targeted for completion by August 2025 so portions of the project can be used for the 2025–26 school year, with full completion around August 2026.
Next steps: administration will file for state approvals, solicit bids, and return with financing terms and a recommended contract award for board action. No final borrowing or contract awards were made at the meeting.
