Residents Question Caldwell-West Caldwell BOE Plans for New Fieldhouse at James Caldwell H.S.

WEST CALDWELL, NJ – Approximately 25 residents attended Monday night’s Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education meeting with questions and concerns regarding the proposed referendum questions that will be presented to the voters on March 11, 2025.  The board has framed two questions for voters to weigh in on.

The first question addresses infrastructure, HVAC, classroom spaces and security across the district. As explained by Greg Somjen, a principal in the firm of Parette Somjen Architects, with the anticipated state aid of 34 cents on the dollar and district debt that is retiring in March 2025, taxpayers will not see an increase with the proposed plans. To offset any impact to the taxpayers, $3.3 million from the district’s capital reserve fund will supplement the cost of the project for Question One.

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Although one resident stated that she would not be supportive of the security vestibules planned for the buildings, she was supportive of the infrastructure and other projects included in the plan. Her rationale for objecting to the security vestibules was that any bad actor could just as easily go to another entrance and gain access to the building. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christoper Conklin stated that all entrances are subject to a key card to gain entry, and the doors were not left open for anyone to enter.

Most of the attendees' questions concerned the proposed new fieldhouse.  The plan is to replace the 80-year-old, single-story 3,000-square-foot structure with a two-story, 16,000-square-foot facility that would be ADA compliant, with HVAC, two locker rooms for both boys and girls sports each, multiple restrooms, a conference room, flex space on the second floor that can host professional development for staff, testing for students, storage and will meet the federal Title IX requirements for equity for male and female athletes.

The expected price tag for the proposed field house is $15.4 million.  The board is planning to transfer $2 million from its capital reserve to offset the impact to the taxpayers. The plan notes a tax impact of $140 annually on the average assessed home in both communities. However, the additional $2 million from the capital reserves fund would decrease the tax impact to $129 annually on the average assessed home.

Resident Rich Genitempo noted that there was no discussion about the retiring debt in 2025 being returned to the taxpayers, only the opportunity to utilize the amount currently paid to continue with a new project.  Genitempo asked for clarity and disclosure as to how much the average assessed homes are in both Caldwell and West Caldwell and noted that homeowners whose value is above the average assessed value will be paying more for the next 20 years throughout the life of the bond.  He also referenced the tax impact on the residents of Caldwell due to the previous administration’s borrowing of $42 million and the fact that both principal and interest are now being apportioned to the taxpayers of that community.

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Another resident who lives next door to the current fieldhouse raised issues regarding potential water runoff and whether a traffic study has been conducted.  Somjen responded that the plan for the new facility would not affect the water detention basin and that a traffic study has not been commissioned.

Other residents commented on the need for greater academic supports versus the cost of the new fieldhouse.  Somjen confirmed that there are two budgets that the district utilizes, a capital fund and an operating fund.  When a district bonds money for a capital project, it does not provide the opportunity for usage of those monies to be used for curriculum and support, as they are drawn from the operating budget.

Somjen presented at the Back To School Nights and confirmed that prior to the final presentation option for the field house, seven or eight other options were considered. Some included a larger footprint to allow for a second-floor basketball court, but that was rejected by the board as too costly. His assessment of the feedback from the Back To School Nights was that about 50% of the parents were supportive, 50% not and many parents were not aware of the first question at all.

Resident Liz Hart asked for specifics regarding the financing.  It was confirmed that bond counsel would seek figures for a fixed rate for 20 years versus a variable rate.  Somjen noted that the State Department of Education requires a 5% contingency cost built into the budget, however the board is planning for a 10% contingency figure.  If those monies were not spent, they would remain in the district’s capital reserve fund. The total cost includes hard costs such as construction figures as well as soft costs such as architects, attorney, and permit fees. Somjen explained that the cost of borrowing for a public entity is currently under 4% and therefore “still attractive.”

Another resident wanted confirmation on who would manage the field house and allocate spaces for the various sports to provide equity among the student athletes. Conklin responded that athletic director Dan Romano and high school principal Jim Devlin would be in charge of ensuring equity among the sports and players. Currently, the larger of the locker rooms would hold 80 lockers while the second, smaller locker room would hold 40 lockers.  There would be one large locker room and one smaller locker room for each of the boys and the girls’ sports.

Somjen added that 70% of the students at the high school are involved in sports. However, parents disputed that figure, noting that some students play multiple sports and therefore, that number was inflated. Somjen also stated that currently the drawings are schematic only and only if the referendum passes will more detailed drawings be worked on, since they are costly and there was no need to spend those funds until the voters have spoken.

Resident Glen Roselle, whose children went through the school district and played sports, urged the board to go back to planning and present a one floor option, for just what the athletes really need. He noted he cannot support this project as it is premised on wants not needs. Roselle also questioned the limited parking for the proposal.  Another resident commented on Roselle’s concerns, questioning if the board had calculated any additional soft costs for the two-story facility such as additional custodial care, electric, and gas.

Agenda items included approval of $16,800 for Zander Consulting, LLC to provide referendum consulting from Oct. 1 through March 11, 2025.

Donations were received in the amount of $3,845 from the CGB Hoopsters Club/CB Shooters Club to be applied to the purchase of 50% of a basketball shooting matchine for JCHS Athletes. The Kiwanis Club of Caldwell-West Essex donated tables for the Grover Cleveland Middle School butterfly gardens with a value of $5,736 and the Rotary Club of the Caldwells donated $6,000 for benches in the middle school butterfly garden.

The next Board of Education conference meeting will be Oct. 21, and the next public meeting will be Nov 4, both at the JCHS cafeteria.

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