Livingston Public Schools

What was the purpose of the 2007 Facility Needs Assessment?

The facilities portion (Strand 7) of Livingston Public Schools’ Strategic Plan directs the District to:

·         provide and maintain schools that ensure an ADA compliant, safe and supportive climate for learning, and are environmentally sensitive, energy responsible and fiscally sound;

·         ensure that facilities, grounds and other capital resources are appropriately maintained, replaced and/or renewed, as appropriate; and

·         establish/reconfigure space to provide appropriate environments for emerging needs, whenever possible and fiscally appropriate.

In response to this, a facility needs assessment was conducted.  The purpose was to provide physical needs assessment of the elementary and middle school facilities to ensure and maintain facility life for the next 30 to 40 years.  A team of architects and engineers visited each of the school sites to assess each building as it related to their existing physical condition.

Where can I find the results of the 2007 Facility Needs Assessment?

To access the Assessment, click here. There will be an “interior/exterior” assessment and “mechanical/electrical” assessment for each school.

What did the Livingston Board of Education approve on Monday, October 19, 2009?

The LBOE approved a proposal for a referendum that will be voted on by Livingston citizens on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.  The referendum includes two proposals.  The first proposal, which must pass for the second proposal to be approved, would provide the funding necessary for facility upgrades to be made at each of the elementary and middle schools.  The second proposal, which can only go forward if the first proposal is passed, would provide the funding necessary to install solar panels on the roofs of every school, including Livingston High School.

What is a referendum?

A referendum asks for voter permission to issue a bond (debt) to conduct capital improvements.

What kind of facility upgrades will be made at each of the elementary and middle schools?

Facility upgrades include replacing single pane windows, replacing roofs, ADA upgrades, installing fire resistant interior doors, making stairs safer, elevators/lifts where needed, HVAC unit replacements, automatic temperature control systems, electrical service upgrades and auditorium renovations.

A breakdown of the facility upgrades at each of the elementary and middle schools can be found here.

Some roofs are not being replaced because they are relatively new.  Will these roofs have solar panels and if so will there be additional costs associated when these older roofs need to repaired or replaced?

A great majority of the solar panels would be installed over the roofs being replaced by the first proposal.  There are smaller areas of panels that would be installed on the roofs of Collins, Harrison, Riker Hill and Mt. Pleasant Elementary and Middle schools because these roofs do not need to be replaced as they are relatively new.  For those roofs which are relatively new, the architectural firm will coordinate the inspection of these roofs for the issuance of an extended warranty.

Does the existence of solar panels extend the life of the roof under them?

All roofing manufacturers have agreed that the presence of solar panels on top of a roof will extend the useful life of that roof.  While there are no available testing reports that would quantify the impact of the panels to the life cycle cost of the roof, one of the major causes of roof material degradation is exposure to ultraviolet light.  The solar panels would provide shade to the roof blocking the effect of ultraviolet rays, which will, in turn, keep the roofing materials’ temperature cooler during the summer months.

Are the cost avoidance calculations based on current usage or projected usage after installation of the solar panels?

No,  avoidance is not impacted by electrical usage.  Cost avoidance is the product of the amount of electricity produced by the solar panels in kilowatt-hours times the kilowatt-hour rate charged by the local utility company.  Whether a building uses more energy or less energy has no impact on the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels.

Is it anticipated that there will be energy cost savings due to more energy efficient building envelopes and systems?

Yes, the thermal performance of the school building will be greatly enhanced by incorporating more energy-efficient HVAC equipment and controls new and windows.  Thermal performance is also increased by installing higher performance insulation on top of these building when the roofs are replaced.

Previous annual school budgets have provided funding for door and window replacements.  How does this impact the referendum?

It does not impact the referendum.  Single pane windows that were previously replaced and interior doors that have recently been replaced are not included in the referendum.

Will all windows be replaced?

All single pane windows will be replaced. 

Will gyms also be air conditioned?

The State has not provided grants for cooling gym spaces.  Certain large group spaces will be air conditioned under the first proposal as follows:

* Mt. Pleasant Elementary School and Riker Hill Elementary School were the only schools that received approval for their gym space to be air conditioned because the spaces are also used as a cafeteria and location for school assemblies.

What would the cost be to air condition the gyms not approved for air conditioning under the first proposal?

The cost to air condition the gyms not approved for air conditioning under the first proposal would be approximate $1.5 million.  Since the State has not provided grants for the cooling of gyms there are no plans to air condition these spaces as this time.

What do the auditorium renovations include?

The auditoriums at Mt. Pleasant Middle School and Heritage Middle School, and systems that support them are antiquated.  The auditoriums, which are used not only by the schools, but also by the Livingston community, would receive new sound systems, stage lighting and seats.  The stage in both auditoriums would also be refurbished.

What will the average annual tax impact be?

On the first proposal, for a home with an average assessed value of $608,720, the average annual tax impact will be $178.87.

On the second proposal, for a home with an average assessed value of $608,720, there is no tax impact expected, but rather a savings in utility costs.

How much will this referendum project cost?

On December 8^th, on the first proposal, voters will only be asked to vote on $33,597,944 which represents 60% of the total cost.  The State of New Jersey, which approved Livingston Public School’s grant application, would fund 40% of the total cost, or $22,398,628.

Voters will also be asked to approve the second proposal, the solar panel proposal.  While the cost of the solar panel proposal would be $8,867,905, because of projected savings from using solar energy, revenue from the sale of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates and 40% debt service aid on the interest and principal, there would be no cost to the tax payer.

Why is Livingston Public Schools asking the tax payers to approve this referendum given the current economic climate?

Facility upgrades to our schools will need to be done within the next few years.  If we do not take advantage of this one-time only opportunity to receive 40% of the necessary funding from the State, these upgrades will still need to be made and educational programs could be cut in the future to help pay for them.  If Livingston Public Schools does not take the State up on its offer of 40% or 40-cents for every dollar, another school district will benefit from these funds.

In addition, construction costs are very low because of the economic downturn.  The energy efficiencies and solar panel referendum will not only save us money, but will help to save the environment and will teach our students the importance of conservation.

Perhaps the most important reason why we should do this now is because the referendum will have a positive impact on the overall quality of our students’ learning environment (air quality, temperature control, lighting, etc.).

I do not have children/no longer have children in Livingston Public Schools.  Why is this referendum important?

According to the 2008 National Associations of REALTORS Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 27% of home buyers listed school quality as a deciding factor in their home purchase.  Livingston Public Schools contribute to Livingston’s high property values.  Maintaining the schools and ensuring their future are critical to preserving property value in Livingston.

In addition to high property value, you don’t need to have a child in the school system to take advantage of what the schools have to offer.  Community organizations, such as community theatre groups, benefit from the use of our auditoriums as do those that go to see the performances.  Adult classes are offered at Livingston High School in the spring.  Community members are invited and encouraged to use the outdoor, all-weather track when school is not in session.  Our schools are used by cultural organizations for additional learning opportunities.  The uses of Livingston Public Schools are countless.

When is the special election?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009.  The polls will be open from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.  If you are unsure of your polling location you can find out by clicking here.  Just type in your street address!

How many votes are needed for the referendum to pass?

A simple majority means one more than half of those voting on a ballot question. 

Why will the solar panel proposal (question #2) only pass if the facility upgrades proposal (question #1) is passed?

In order for the installation of solar panels on the roofs of all the schools to be approved, voters must approve the proposal to provide facility upgrades because it is not fiscally responsible to put solar panels on roofs that will need to be replaced in the very near future.