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Buildings & Grounds: auditorium heaters, field lights and playground grants cited in Toms River update
Summary
At a buildings and grounds meeting, staff reported three rooftop heaters at High School North need replacement (about $30,000 each, 12–14 week lead), a Beachwood soccer-field lighting problem affecting 16 of 24 fixtures, completed playground relocation at North Dover Elementary, new grant prospects, and a recommendation to replace the Walnut Street gym floor.
District facilities staff updated the Board of Education on multiple maintenance and capital items, including replacement of damaged auditorium heaters at High School North, a lighting outage at the Beachwood soccer field, completion of a playground relocation, and a recommendation to address a buckled gym floor at Walnut Street.
Board members were told that three rooftop heaters serving the High School North auditorium have been replaced previously in the last 5–10 years but two units recently developed problems; one remaining unit is noisy and currently the only operational unit. Staff reported a replacement cost of about $30,000 per unit (roughly $60,000 total) and a 12–14 week lead time for the parts. The board was told staff would seek a temporary heating solution or relocate events if the working unit fails before replacements arrive.
"The guys have been fantastic," said Mr. Madigan (staff member), describing the maintenance crew's response to a surge in HVAC work orders after the heating season began. He reported approximately 469 work-order requests in November with about 451 completed and said the district has, so far, avoided displacing classrooms or teachers.
Staff announced completion of a playground relocation at North Dover Elementary and noted one remaining pavilion element to site and a possible spring move near the GABAC area for additional outdoor seating or future trailer support. The JBAC project was reported as open and operational; staff said it finished on time and on budget.
On field lighting, staff said a utility-meter installation for the Beachwood soccer field was initially done at the wrong location by the contractor, delaying finalization; staff reported 16 of 24 lights currently out and plan to work with Beachwood Township to determine whether the problem is bulbs or ballasts and to complete repairs in the coming weeks.
A board member and central administrators also reported submitting a grant application idea called "Saltbridge Farm" to the science and food-services departments to grow and use local produce in school kitchens; staff will review the grant's stipulations before committing.
Finally, staff said the Walnut Street gym floor has buckled from moisture and humidity, requiring a full replacement that the district expects to recommend as a capital reserve project in next year's budget and to complete over the summer.
The board opened public comment and recorded no speakers; no formal motions or votes were taken on these items at the meeting.
