Greater Egg Harbor Could Save Big on Roofing Projects

Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District Board of Education member William Cheatham thinks it’s possible for the school district to save as much as $1,400,000 on its roof replacement projects at and Oakcrest high schools.

Cheatham, of Mullica Township, made the suggestion at the board’s meeting Monday night, April 2 at Cedar Creek High School, during its discussion of the project, approved by the voters during the

“The system they use on the roof right now is an SDS Roofing System,” Cheatham said.

He suggested looking at an EPDM system, and a TPO system, which is what was used on the Revel Casino, which opened in Atlantic City on a probationary basis this week.

“We can save up to $5 a square foot,” Cheatham said. “I suggest we take bids for all three systems.”

The rest of the board was in agreement.

According to School Business Administrator Charles Mueller, there is 280,000 square feet involved in the roofing projects. If Cheatham's numbers are accurate, at $5 a square foot, the school district could save in the neighborhood of $1.4 million on the project, if it chose the right type of roofing.

TPO stands for thermoplastic olefin or polyolefin roofing. According to roofhelp.com, they combine the durability of EPDM rubber with the performance of hot air weldable seams. It has excellent resistance to ozone, is algae resistant, environmentally friendly, is safe to install and has a service life ranging from 10 to 20 years.

EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer, and according to roofhelp.com, has been used in the United States since the 1960’s. It is inexpensive, easy to install and clean to work with when compared to conventional built-up roofs, according to roofhelp.com. It is a rubber roofing system that lasts anywhere between 12 and 25 years, depending on certain criteria.

The discussion took place as part of the board’s referendum update Monday night. In addition to the roofing projects, new fire alarm systems are being considered at both Absegami and Oakcrest high schools. On December 13, this part of the proposal was passed in a special election, despite being defeated in Galloway Township. It was passed in Mullica Township, Egg Harbor City and Hamilton Township.

Another part of the proposal, which dealt with air conditioning, heating and ventilation at Oakcrest, was defeated.

On Monday night, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Ciccariello said the district had reached a project labor agreement, ensuring no labor stoppages and would attract larger contractors.

“We may have less companies bid on the projects, though,” Ciccariello said.

The district will accept bids through April 19.