I’d like to take a moment to share some information with you about an unsafe condition at Kearny High School. Perhaps you noticed scaffolds surrounding the old building when you walked or driven past the high school. The scaffolding was put in place after State and local officials and two structural engineering firms determined that an emergency safety situation exists at the high school.
Kearny High School was opened in 1921 with an addition constructed in 1938. The new building, which is not so new any more, was opened in 1971. The weather has taken its toll on the aging buildings; freezing water in wintertime causes the bricks to separate from the structural walls. While the structural walls are safe, it is the brick facade that’s the problem. This problem, if left uncorrected, will worsen, with more and more bricks becoming loose after each freeze. In addition to the scaffolds, plywood with support cables are in place to secure the facade to the northeast corner of the building.
In order to correct this unsafe condition, all the bricks in the old building and a portion of the bricks in the new building must be replaced. The repairs must be coordinated with the noise abatement construction project. A State grant will provide $ 2,433,708 which represents 40% of the cost. The district will provide $ 3,650,561, representing 60% of the total cost of $6,084,269.
On December 14th you will have an opportunity to vote on the referendum that will provide funds to repair this unsafe condition. If the referendum passes, it will result in a twenty year bonding, costing the homeowner approximately $27 annually per $100,000 of assessed value. If the referendum fails, another vote will take place in a few months. The costs for repairs at that time may increase because of higher material and labor costs, higher interest rates and the uncertainty of continued State funding. It will also cost $30,000-$50,000 for a second referendum. The polls are open on December 14th from 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thank you.
Robert P. Mooney
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