Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Storm recovery costs top $5 million, district says as HVAC failures close classrooms
Summary
Facilities staff reported extensive snow/ice recovery work across 22 district sites, emergency equipment purchases and contractor rentals, and an estimated $5,060,000 in storm-related expenses; some boilers/coils failed (13 classrooms affected at Cedar Grove) and parts may take eight weeks to arrive.
During the buildings and grounds meeting on Feb. 18, a facilities staff member detailed district response to a severe snow/ice storm. The presentation described large-scale recovery work across 22 district locations, 248 buses requiring service, equipment rentals and outside contractors, and targeted actions to keep classrooms operational (33 room heaters were purchased to stabilize temperatures in affected rooms).
The staff member said older facilities experienced failures — for example, coils burst at Cedar Grove after a boiler went down, affecting 13 classrooms. He said some replacement parts have an estimated eight-week lead time. The district estimated roughly $5,060,000 in extra storm expenses, including overtime and contractor costs, and said it is exploring whether partial reimbursement is available through the New Jersey Department of Education or FEMA when a state of emergency is declared.
Board members asked where those extra costs will be covered; staff said maintenance and capital reserves exist but have not been tapped and that the district will have to tighten other budgets or use reserves through the normal budgeting process.
