The Ringwood Board of Education is preparing for it's most difficult year yet.  For the current year, we had an increase of more than $500,000 in health benefits and Governor Christie cut our state aid by more than $1,000,000.  Our budget was voted down in last April's election and the municipality cut our 2010-2011 budget by another $417,000.  We are facing the current school year with $2,000,000 less in funding than we expected.  Obviously, there are no available funds for repairs and renovations in the Ringwood School's budget.  It is at this time, we find that the roof in the modular units at Hewitt is in dire need of repairs or replacement.  Mold has also been detected in the modular section of the school.  Analysis showed that the mold is of no immediate harm to students or staff, but due to the structural problems and the mold, the Board of Education closed that section of the school.  One of the concerns of the board is that dampness under the modulars provides an environment for other molds to take hold.

The Ringwood Board of Education arranged for a structural engineer to evaluate the roof and the corridor in the affected area of the Hewitt School modulars.  We also brought in an engineering firm to evaluate and analyze the mold situation.  The Hewitt modulars are currently 51 years old.  Their original life expectancy was 10 to 15 years.  Due to our excellent maintenance and custodial staff, we were able to triple the useful life of the modulars.  However, for the benefit of our students and on-going education in Ringwood, it is time to do something about this situation.  The engineering report recommended that most or all of the modulars be replaced or removed.

The public is invited to attend our Referendum Committee meetings and provide input into the course of action that the Ringwood Board of Education selects to resolve these situations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The 2007 Schools Improvement Project (SIP) was designed to take Eleanor G. Hewitt School out of service and perform renovations on Peter Cooper, Robert Erskine, and M. J. Ryerson Schools and build new additions on Erskine and Ryerson schools.  In accordance with the outcome of the September 25, 2007 vote when the referendum was voted down, the Hewitt School has remained in the educational system in Ringwood.  Now we need to deliver on that vote and provide the necessary amenities to our students and staff.  Every public school student in Ringwood spends 2 years in the Hewitt School for 4th and 5th grades.  The replacement of the modulars and other repairs are absolutely necessary for the students and staff of Hewitt School.  The administration is trying to make due with the current restrictions on the facilities, but it is extremely difficult for staff and students.  Education is suffering at Hewitt School.  More information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Seniors!!  See if you qualify for the tax freeze for seniors (income based) at SENIOR FREEZE.  This is a state run property tax reimbursement program that may match your increases in real estate taxes through state refunds virtually freezing your property taxes.

Future meetings for the Referendum Committee: 7:30 PM, Tuesday, November 18, 2010, M. J. Ryerson Media Center All Referendum Committee meetings are open to the public.
The School Facilities Committee has developed a Question and Answer document to help residents better understand the rationale behind the committees thinking.  The document contains many (Currently 47) frequently asked questions and answers.  This document has been modified to provide facts on the current thinking and direction of the Ringwood Board of Education School Facilities Committee.  Click on the Facilities Q&A button to retrieve the Q&A document or click here.   Future meetings for the Ringwood Board of Education: 7:30 PM, Monday, November 15, 2010, M. J. Ryerson Media Center, Work Session 7:30 PM, Monday, November 22, 2010, M. J. Ryerson Media Center, Business Session 6:30 PM, Monday, December 13, 2010, M. J. Ryerson Media Center, Work/Business Session All Board Meetings are open to the public.
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