Moving on.

Last night, the School Board discussed the the art room moving to the Perkins building and some of the considerations around that potential move, including cost. safety of students crossing RT152 and impact to the art program. 

The issue is that there is a student entering the NJSHS who has significant health needs and will need a space dedicated to meet those needs. In addition, there are students with similar needs at NES who will be moving to the NJSHS in the coming years. After looking at the options available, the current art room is the most appropriate space.

The total budget for the art room move to Perkins looks to be about $50K, though that information was not available last night and the Superintendent didn’t want to commit to that number (or any number.) Board member Al Zink seemed annoyed by this and rightly so. It is the Board's responsibility to ensure that the SAU is responsibly using taxpayer funds, but they can’t act without the full picture. In addition to the $27K it will cost for the renovation and asbestos abatement, they also need to consider security/alarm costs, technology and crossing light cost--none of which was available last night.

The Board didn’t act on the proposal and though it is frustrating, I can’t say I blame them.  They may very well find themselves between a rock and a hard place at their next meeting if they are again missing important information. Decisions have to be made ASAP or the work won’t be done in time for the start of school. Hopefully Mike Martin will have all the pieces together in time for the next meeting.