MANALAPAN – Improvements will be made at Manalapan High School if a $39.8 million referendum that is being proposed by the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) Board of Education is approved by voters in a special election on Oct. 2.
The referendum has four categories: Safety and Security; Modern Learning Environment; Athletic Facilities; and Infrastructure.
Architect John Veisz and Assistant Superintendent for Business Administration Sean Boyce represented the school district during the May 10 meeting of the Manalapan Planning Board to describe the improvements that would be made at the high school on Church Lane.
The presentation was a capital review. As explained by the board’s attorney, Ron Cucchiaro, a public entity – the school district – is planning to spend public funds on a project. Cucchiaro said although the board did not have jurisdiction to approve or reject the project, it was being asked to find the proposed upgrades are consistent with Manalapan’s master plan.
FRHSD administrators have said the improvements, if approved by voters, would be completed in stages between 2018 and 2020.
Veisz told board members the work at Manalapan High School would include:
• Repaving the most worn areas of the parking lot and correcting drainage issues;
• Reconstructing the school’s three tennis courts;
• Constructing two new tennis courts to give Manalapan five tennis courts, which would be consistent with the other schools in the district;
• Installing a multi-use synthetic turf field to replace the grass field at the football stadium;
• Upgrading the bleachers and adding fencing at the football stadium;
• Replacing sections of the high school’s roof that are out of warranty or in poor condition;
• Completing security improvements on individual classrooms and at the main entrance to the building.
Regarding the need for security improvements, Veisz said, “It’s a reality of our world.”
In concluding his presentation, Veisz asked the board to authorize a letter stating there are no issues with the plans. He said that in planning and undertaking the work, the school district would comply with all of the standards of any agency which may have jurisdiction on any aspect of the project.
Peter Van Den Kooy, the board’s planner, said he found the project would promote the health and safety of the public, and that the work outlined by Veisz is consistent with Manalapan’s master plan.
No board member objected to any aspect of the work at the high school. A motion was made stating the board found the capital project to be substantially consistent with the master plan.
Board Chairwoman Kathryn Kwaak, Mayor Jack McNaboe and Township Committeeman Dave Kane, who sit on the board, and board members Barry Jacobson, Daria D’Agostino, Alan Ginsberg, Todd Brown, Barry Fisher and Steven Kastell voted “yes” on the motion.
The FRHSD referendum is a complete package and residents will not vote on the four individual categories. Administrators said if voters approve the referendum on Oct. 2, work on the security upgrades could begin that month.
The school district’s eight sending municipalities are Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro. The district operates high schools in Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro.
