Board hears updates on $14.5 million HVAC plan, cafeteria upgrades and stalled pole‑barn project

The Winslow Township Board of Education’s operations committee briefed members on multiple facilities projects at the June 24 meeting, including a large‑scale middle school HVAC plan and several active summer capital efforts.

Committee members said HBA upgrades at schools five and six, contracted with Palaska, are progressing toward a substantial completion date of August 14, 2026. Work on the high‑school cafeteria serving line has accelerated now that school is out; staff reported new equipment was scheduled for delivery in late June. The middle‑school HVAC project was described as a district priority to air‑condition the remainder of the building; the project was referenced in discussion with a cost figure of $14.5 million. The committee also said the main office HVAC had been repaired for summer occupancy and that final closeout documents are pending for that smaller job.

Board members pressed operations about a planned pole‑barn construction project that is currently on hold because bids came in substantially over budget. Staff said funding was set aside but the project scope and location may be changed or reduced and that the district is seeking a new engineer of record to refine design and lower costs.

Members raised concern about potholes and repaving timelines for the high‑school and middle‑school parking lots; staff indicated the engineer advised that full repaving could not be completed this summer and that temporary measures may be necessary to reduce liability. The board also discussed persistent water pooling at School 3; operations said they are pursuing assistance from the Greater Egg Harbor Watershed and exploring grant funding to address drainage before winter.

The board agreed to require more timely closeout documents from architects and engineers going forward and to return project updates as designs and procurement progress.