Residents to vote on construction in Sept. Milltown schools overdue for repairs, improvements BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer School officials are taking action to remedy areas of Milltown's two schools that have been long in need of repair. Residents will be asked in a September referendum to approve construction estimated to cost in the vicinity of $6 million or $7 million, according to Superintendent of Schools Linda Madison. "We've been kind of keeping everything together with duct tape," Madison said. "It's getting ridiculous." The necessary repairs go beyond simply maintaining the buildings, with some of the conditions becoming hazardous for students, Madison said. "We're aware that there are some issues we need to attend to," Madison said. The gymnasium at the Joyce Kilmer School is perhaps the most pressing of the work needed. Its wood floor dates back to 1946, when the school was first built. The floor is warped, with exposed nailheads from being repeatedly sanded down. Also, the ventilation system in the gym is not adequate, which causes security concerns in the summer months, when the doors are often opened for fresh air. "The ventilation system in that room is just not healthy," Madison said. Last year, school officials hosted three "walk and talk" sessions to give the public a chance to come into the schools and see the conditions for themselves. Two were held at Joyce Kilmer, where a larger portion of the work is necessary, and one was held at Parkview School. The total turnout between all three events was about 70 people, a number Madison said was somewhat disappointing. First-time visitors who did not yet have children in either of the schools had been unaware of the problems, according to Madison. "They were appalled by the need," Madison said. School officials are working with an architect, who is now finalizing plans for the renovations and repairs. Other plans for work at the schools include new roofs, as well as the upgrade and repair of the ventilation systems in both buildings. At Joyce Kilmer, plans are in place for a complete renovation of the gymnasium, two science labs and the all-purpose room. Currently, the all-purpose room is used as the school's auditorium and cafeteria, among other things. There is no kitchen in the school, so lunches are cooked elsewhere, then reheated for the students. "That is not appropriate or appetizing ... for middle school children," Madison said. The plans are calling for the wall of the building facing Church Street to be torn down for the addition of a kitchen. Behind the new kitchen, a new media center is slated. The old one would be split into two sixth-grade classrooms. The facade of the building would also be refurbished, including the columns, which Madison said have historical significance. Although there is a slated dollar amount for the project, Madison said they will not introduce it to the public officially until late April or early May. "We're just in our infancy about educating the public about what we are planning to do," Madison said. "We want to be as accurate as possible when we roll it out." While the project is considered a real necessity by school officials, whether it moves forward depends purely on public support of its funding. "By standards in other districts, its like pennies," Madison said. According to Madison, the two schools place in the Top 5 for testing in the county, and have either the lowest, or second lowest, per-pupil cost in the county. "The kids do well, they work hard," Madison said. "We should be proud of that. A lot of districts are spending more money than us, and not doing as well."