If approved, the district could replace a leaky roofs on its school housing K-3 students.
HARRISON TWP. -- Voters will decide Sept. 27 if one of the township's schools gets a new roof.
The township school district is asking voters to approve a $5.3 million referendum to replace leaky flat roofs with pitched roofs on Harrison Township Elementary School, which houses grades K-3.
Personnel do what they can to cope with rain coming into Harrison Township School. (Submitted photo)The school was built in 1950 with additions constructed in 1989 and 1993.
Superintendent Missy Peretti described significant leaking in classrooms, especially during heavy rains or wintery weather. "Some classrooms are worse than others," she said.
Each time the rain comes in, staff has to scramble to protect books, computers and furniture from water damage. Thankfully, water intrusion hasn't created mold issues -- at least not yet.
As the years pass, the leaks grow. "Trying to protect our property is getting increasingly more difficult," Peretti said.
A new pitched roof and an overhang would channel water beyond the edge of the building. The new roof, rated to last 50 years, will be built over the existing one.
What will that mean for tax bills?
For every $100,000 in assessed valuation, a homeowner would see an additional $3 to $4 increase annually. That means the average Harrison Township taxpayer will pay an additional $9.48 a year for the new roof, Peretti confirmed.
The increase is kept low thanks to a 2003 bond for work at both township schools maturing in 2017-2018. If the new bond is approved, payments would begin in 2018-2019, meaning no overlap in bond payments.
This rendering shows the design for the proposed roof replacements. (Submitted image)"I'm very fortunate to work and live in a community this is tremendously supportive of the schools," said Peretti, who lives in Harrison Township. She hopes local voters will continue to show that support at the polls.
She recently presented the referendum plan at a township committee meeting and will make additional presentations at each of four back-to-school night events in the next few weeks. Voters can learn more on the school website and a mailer is going out, too.
If approved, work on the roof project would begin next summer, Peretti said.
Voting will take place Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Gloucester County Library, Route 45 and Wolfert Station Road.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.