Cinnaminson School District Makes Case for Projects Ahead of Special Election

“Cinnaminson attracts people because of its schools,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Salvatore J. Illuzzi said Tuesday night. “The best way to maintain your property values is to maintain the schools. Our school district attracts young people who want to live here.”

Illuzzi made this statement as the Board of Education made its case for proposed improvements throughout the school district at its meeting at the middle school.

It used the time to present the details to prospective voters who will be asked to go to the polls on Sept. 30 and vote on three proposed projects.

The first question on the ballot deals with upgrades, improvements and expansions at the high school, the middle school, the Eleanor Rush Intermediate School and the New Albany Elementary School.

The total cost of this portion of the project is $33,298,157, of which $21,500,857 is expected to be picked up locally. The state will pay for 40 percent, which comes out to $10,743,832. Approval of this question would mean a tax increase of $199.59 per year for 25 years on the average home assessed at $231,795.

This portion calls for new security vestibules at the elementary school and the intermediate school, replacement of the existing fire alarms at the middle school and various renovations at the high school.

The vestibules would be a two locked door system that would prevent visitors from freely roaming the schools. They would only be granted access to the main office for security reasons.

The second question tackles the issue of a new gymnasium at the high school, which would seat 1,000 people. The school has 760 students, plus faculty and staff, and the enrollment numbers are fluctuating monthly, Illuzzi said.

Bob Garrison of Garrison Architects, which handled the design plans on the projects, said the current gymnasium has a low roof and the distance from the sidelines to the door is very small.

Currently, some parents and spectators are not permitted in to some events because it would create a fire hazard.

It’s more cost effective to replace the gym than upgrade the current one, but there are plans to improve the HVAC system and fix the wall padding should the second question be defeated.

This portion of the project would cost $6,750,125, with the full cost being picked up locally. This would mean an additional tax increase of $62.49 a year for 25 years on the average home assessed at $231,795.

The final question concerns the addition of six tennis courts at the high school for a total of $750,000, with the full cost being picked up locally. This would mean another tax increase of $6.91 a year for 25 years on the average home assessed at $231,795.

All work at the high school would be the first since its construction in 1963.

Voters must approve the first question for the other two questions to be approved, and they must approve the second question in order to approve the third.

To view the full presentation given at Tuesday’s meeting, click here: View Plans.

The last referendum concerning the Cinnaminson School District involved upgrades to the elementary and intermediate schools, and it was approved in 2000. The district has refinanced twice and should have those projects paid off within the next four years. This accounts for all the debt the school district currently has.

These plans were initially adopted in 2011, but the state put a freeze on projects in 2012. That freeze ended in 2013, but the state only offered to pick up $6.5 million for these projects. A year later, the district went back to the state, which offered to pick up a total of $11,797,300 this time around.

Garrison and the school district emphasized that multiple districts are holding referendums for projects. They said it’s important to be among the first approved so they can get a head start.

With multiple projects, construction costs could be high.

One contractor can be used for the elementary, intermediate and middle schools, but multiple contractors will likely be used for the high school projects.

The $11,797,300 is only for these projects, so if the referendum is defeated, the district will not get the money from the state.

Members of the public in attendance during Tuesday’s meeting were concerned about cost overrun. Garrison said they can’t spend more than what is requested during next week’s special election. He also said his numbers are conservative based on working with 62 school districts and he’s never had costs exceed expectations in 26 years.

He also said that if the request exceeds what is needed, the state won’t match their funds, and any excess will be returned to the taxpayer.

The special election will be conducted between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Polling Places will be as follows:

High School, 1197 Riverton Road: Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6

Middle School, 312 N. Forklanding Road: Districts 5, 7, 8, 19 and 20

New Albany School, 2701 New Albany Road: Districts 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13

Cinnaminson Community Center, Manor Road: Districts 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18