MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Public School District is planning a bond referendum to pay for “critical health and safety facility needs,” including better ventilation, a problem that has been put in the spotlight because of the coronavirus pandemic, administrators announced Tuesday.

The superintendent’s office released early details about the plan:

“The bond proposal focuses on critical health and safety facility needs and invests in structural enhancements that impact student instruction. Funding this bond referendum will allow for all Montclair’s 11 public schools to improve their operations for the best interests of students and families. This investment in schools is an investment in the community of Montclair.”

Administrators continued:

“The district faced a significant challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic because of its very old buildings and antiquated ventilation systems. District administration immediately engaged architects and engineers to mediate these structural problems in such a way as to protect the health and safety of its personnel and students and maintain teaching and learning.”

However, the following issues still need to be addressed, administrators added:

• Inadequate ventilation systems

• Antiquated roofs

• Heating systems and boilers that must be replaced and other items that have deteriorated over decades of use

• Upgrades to classrooms for 21st century learning

In addition to the above upgrades, the referendum also includes upgrading classrooms to “afford our students opportunities to benefit from 21st century teaching and learning strategies,” administrators said.

Earlier estimated totals for the referendum came to $15.5 million, Montclair Local reported.

“Approving this bond is a necessary step to ensure our students have the benefits of safe, quality learning environments,” said board of education member Eric Scherzer, who serves as chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee.

“Our facilities have been neglected for too long, and it is time to address the present needs and to prepare for the years to come,” Scherzer said.

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Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said that he, principals in the district and architects from Parette Somjen have been doing building walk-throughs and meetings since last year to triage facility projects in need of immediate action.

“Security features and indoor air quality projects are critical and non-negotiable,” Ponds said. “Our students deserve safe and healthy environments to learn and achieve their highest potential.”

“As you know, I believe all kids can learn and all kids are special, and now, in Montclair, we have an opportunity to prove that we will put our full weight behind this theory, and give our students the spaces and learning environments they need to make this theory a reality,” the superintendent added.

The Montclair Board of Education will hold a special meeting to discuss the referendum on Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the George Inness Annex Atrium, 141 Park Street, with parking on North Fullerton Avenue. It can also be streamed live by using the link on the district website found the day of the meeting, or watched on Verizon TV33.

Questions from the public will be taken both in person and virtually. For in-person comments or questions, use the sign-up sheet at the meeting and for virtual comments use the link provided on the website the day of the meeting.

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This article originally appeared on the Montclair Patch

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