Northern Burlington High School 2018 Referendum, Columbus, NJ (2026)

08/26/2021

August 23, 2021
High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:
The race to the finish line has been underway all spring and summer with the end in sight! As we prepare to welcome our students back on September 7th, for the start of the new school year, there is still much renovation work to complete in the two short weeks remaining. Contractors have worked through the covid pandemic shutdown and continue despite ongoing issues with labor availability and supply chain hiccups. They all understand that with the goal of having the Main Addition, the 400/500 connector, all classroom renovations, and the Health and Fitness Center completed in time for a move-in in two weeks, there is no time to pause. There are three main projects. The Main Addition, the classroom renovations in both the East and the West buildings, and the Health and Fitness Center.

The Main Addition connects the East and West buildings and includes the new Media Center, the new Cafeteria, the high school main offices, the new Health Suite, the new Counseling Suite, and new classrooms. The Media Center is now occupied by the district as are the high school main offices. In addition, we are currently moving into the new classrooms and the nurses are moving into the new Health Suite.

One of the greatest challenges has resulted in the delays caused by COVID. For example, there were areas of work scheduled for Summer of 2020 but delayed by the impact COVID had on manufacturing and materials, and all these were pushed into the winter and spring. Even though these areas are now complete, the delays did impact renovations scheduled for this summer. That being said, we are still anticipating opening school to our students on Tuesday, September 7th. The status of these renovations will be evaluated on Monday August 30th and if any delays are necessary, that will be determined that week.

Classroom Renovations:
As the construction progressed during the spring of 2021, it was both frustrating and exciting to see the progress being made in the main connector between the East and West Building. We all wanted to have our students passing through the connector from East to West before the year ended. Unfortunately, with all the material delays resulting from COVID, this timeline was never realized.

As the 2020-2021 school year came to a close, the main connector between the East and West buildings was nearing completion. Although we did not have the opportunity to have our students use the main connector in the spring, we moved the principal and the assistant principals along with their support staff into their offices.

The projects scheduled for the summer of 2021 are reflected in the diagram on the right. What was clear is that there was no time to rest and reflect on the progress. The summer push would focus on having instructional areas scheduled for renovations this summer to be ready for our students when they return to full days of instruction in September. With the announcement that there will be no remote instruction option in the fall, the stage was set for a return to in person instruction.

Health and Training Center
The Health and Training Center Project is complete. There are a few supply items that have arrived late due to supply chain issues. This facility includes state-of-the art physical therapy equipment for our trainers to use when helping our student athletes. Soon the new athletic equipment will be installed for all to use. The student athletes and coaches are looking forward to training in this new facility. This equipment will be used by our physical education classes as well as the athletes throughout the school year and throughout the summer months.

August 2021 Status
Throughout the summer, weekly meetings with the Architects, Project Managers, and NB administration have been held to monitor the progress of the projects. Each week our professionals report with confidence that the building will be ready for students in September. It is understood that come September, there will still be work to be completed but the High School should be ‘substantially complete’ and approved for occupancy on September 1st.

At this time, the Main addition connecting the East and West buildings is complete and in the “punch list” phase. The principal and assistant principals have moved into the main office area, counselors moved in last week, and the Cafeteria, Media Center, School Store and Business Classrooms are all ready for school opening. Site work in the front will be complete before Labor Day.
The picture on the right shows the start of the demolition of the agriculture classroom and the old greenhouse. This project began in July. This will make room for the final construction of the bus parking lot and the bus student drop off and pick up area.

The new agriculture classroom is located in the East building adjacent to the new greenhouse which should be ready for school opening in September.

The 400/500 Connector addition is complete. It houses the new Early Childhood Development classroom and the Choral Rooms. These new classrooms connect the 400 wing to the 500 wing and allow students easy passage to the main addition and the East building.

The partial re-roofing project is substantially complete. This contract remains open as this roofing contractor must support installation of rooftop curbs for HVAC equipment included in the 400/500 Connector Project renovations.

Extensive renovations that are included in this Project are being completed. This work includes new Science Labs and the conversion of the old Media Center into four classrooms, and the Board Offices. Other projects nearing completion include new student restrooms, the new Floral Arts Rooms, and the HVAC upgrades throughout.

Please take a moment to review the Project Manager’s PowerPoint presentation located on NB's Construction web page. Simply go to www.nburlington.com and search "High School Construction." Also, photos of the entire project are being organized and uploaded to the Photo Gallery & Video Library section of the web page as well.

The Board of Education would like to once again thank the community for the continued support and patience of all. The combination of construction and COVID has presented a myriad of challenges. Thanks to your support, this much needed construction project will serve our NB students for generations to come.

05/12/2020

Dear Community Members:
Please take a moment to view the following video update of the construction project underway on the NB High School Campus. The Board of Education and its administration are doing all that is possible to advance the construction project and take advantage of the school closure. With our students and our faculty away, we are fortunate that the construction has been able to continue. Recently, the contractors have moved inside the buildings as well to begin the renovations scheduled to start this summer. All contractors are following specific safety guidelines and the progress has been significant.

03/09/2020

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:

Anyone who has visited the NB high school campus recently will quickly notice the massive construction site and the heavy equipment moving between buildings. The Board of Education is pleased to post these quarterly updates on the project on both the district’s construction web page and the district’s page. In addition, community members can follow the weekly construction updates posted on Twitter by following and searching . The students and faculty continue to focus on teaching and learning while these construction projects are underway and the administration continues to keep a close eye on these daily activities, constantly coordinating construction schedules with school activities. The instruction continues with minor interruptions and the project has been progressing nicely.

The high school addition and renovation project officially ‘kicked off’ on Monday, September 30th when the Board of Education hosted its Official Groundbreaking Ceremonies. Many gathered to celebrate the start of this comprehensive project. To see highlights of these ceremonies, please click on this link to view the video produced by NTV on the ceremonies. https://youtu.be/3RQAy0QO0gA

The construction and renovations underway at the high school is very comprehensive. The Board of Education receives regular updates from the project managers and together with the administration and architects, closely monitors the daily construction activities on campus. This project not only includes the additions and renovations, but also the necessary site work including the bus pick-up and drop-off parking area. As you know from previous updates, the construction of this site work began during the summer of 2019. In addition to the parking lot which is constructed over a stormwater detention basin, this project included running new water, gas, cable and fiber utility lines from Mansfield Road East to the school buildings.
As the construction progressed into the fall, two new gas boilers were installed in the East Building. The East Building was previously heated by boilers located in the West Building. These were the original boilers, over sixty years old. This outdated system used hot water lines running between the East and West buildings, beneath what will become the new Main Addition Project. The old lines are now removed. Also, a new Emergency Generator was installed behind the East Gymnasium. This generator is large enough to supply emergency power to both East and West Buildings. It’s been a very busy fall on campus.
In late fall early winter, the large building addition that will connect the East and West buildings began. This project includes a new media center/library, loading dock, west cafeteria expansion, restrooms and offices. Also included in this project is the 800 Wing addition which will house the new Wood Shop, Agriculture Shops, and Classrooms. The start of this project was impacted by unforeseen utilities running between the East and West buildings, across the addition area and affecting the start of construction of foundations and footings. Excessive rainfall did delay the compaction of soil for the building foundation but when the rains stopped, the soil compaction began and the installation of utilities beneath the addition area was completed.
Currently, the parking lot is substantially complete. The East boiler and new emergency generator projects are also substantially complete. The two old generators have been removed. The 800 Wing addition concrete is complete with masonry walls well underway. Main addition footings and foundations are close to completion and new underground utilities will be completed soon. Contracts have been awarded for the 400/500 Connector, for a summer HVAC Project, and for a partial Roof Replacement Project. These projects are scheduled to start once school is out for the summer of 2020. Demolition of the West Boilers has been completed well ahead of schedule and the new gas-powered boilers have been supplying heat to the West Building since February.
The site will continue to get busier as Spring arrives. Electrical and Plumbing underground work will be followed by steel er****on which is scheduled to begin in late March. In the spring we anticipate the concrete floor slab placement and the start of masonry and exterior walls. Contractors will also begin work on the two 300/400 Classrooms with the plan to complete these for the start of school in September 2020. Logistics planning for an extremely busy Summer 2020 is well underway and will continue.

10/14/2019

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:

On Monday, September 30th the Board of Education hosted its “Official Groundbreaking Ceremonies” on the high school campus at the construction site between the East and West Buildings. These ceremonies gave all an opportunity to celebrate the start of the High School Addition and Renovation Project. To see highlights of these ceremonies and a brief update on the project, please click on this link to view the video produced by NTV on the ceremonies. https://youtu.be/3RQAy0QO0gA

The construction continues on campus. The aerial photo shows the location of the on-going construction. This is where the new main connector including the new media center will be built. It also shows where the agricultural mechanics shops and business classroom will be built. The photo also shows the new rear parking lot. Underground drainage and the new utility connections and extensions from the road are completed. Boiler installation in the East building is completed and the new emergency generator is scheduled to be installed this fall. Current projects underway also include the installation of the storm water piping and the gas piping from the new gas service at the East Building to the West Boiler Room including the new gas service to the West Building.

For a more detailed review and discussion of the history and status of the High School Addition and Renovation project, please go to www.nbreferendum.com and click on the “Construction Progress Report” tab at the top of the page. Also, follow on Twitter and the hashtag . Regular updates are posted on this page as well.

09/12/2019

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:

On Thursday, September 5, 2019, faculty and staff welcomed the NB students to the start of the 2019-2020 school year. The High School construction for the main connector between the East and West buildings has begun. Construction workers, project managers, architects, Board members,and administrators have been working closely together to coordinate the construction with school activities and this strategic planning has been successful. NB’s opening sessions for our students were conducted with little interruption.

The rear parking lot construction was completed for the September 3rd return of our faculty and support staff and when our students returned on September 5th, the construction fences were in place, student walkways finished, and the High School campus secured. Student bus transportation plans were implemented without incident and the opening was a success. The pictures and video below shows various scenes of the morning of opening day. Certainly there are disruptions and inconveniences. However, is committed to making this project a success and everyone is working together to ensure as little disruption to school activities as possible.
For a more detailed review and discussion of the history and status of the High School Addition and Renovation project, please go to www.nbreferendum.com and click on the “Construction Progress Report” tab at the top of the page. Also, follow on Twitter and the hashtag . Regular updates are posted on this page as well.

09/03/2019

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:

The Board of Education and Administration are pleased to report that the rear parking lot project is substantially completed. Deadlines have been met and we are prepared to receive bus traffic to the rear parking lot and automobile parking to the East parking lot on the first day for our students Thursday morning.

On Friday of last week Mr. Paul Pogolzelski, civil engineer for Van Cleef engineering, took some aerial photos High School Campus from his private plane. Many of you may know Paul as he is a North Hanover resident and his daughters graduated from NB a few years ago. Paul has been an amazing support of this parking lot project as he consistently has demonstrated his personal commitment to having the project successfully completed for the opening of school. Paul was on site daily from 6:30 AM helping coordinate the work and resolving any problems or questions that may have arisen. His ‘above and beyond’ attitude has not gone unnoticed.

The picture below shows (see arrow) the newly constructed entrance to the East parking lot. This entrance was necessary to accommodate automobile traffic during the construction of the main connector between the East and West buildings. As one might imagine, we all kept a close eye on the progress of these two projects with high anticipation that both would be completed by Labor Day.

The larger project was the completion of the rear parking lot also seen in the priture below. This project also had to be completed by Labor Day as it was essential to accommodate the bus traffic to the rear of the East and West buildings for student drop off and pick up. The parking lot has been ‘painted’ and is ready for bus traffic on Thursday.

Several other projects were completed this summer including the student access door to the East gymnasium, the temporary wall in room 101, and the paving of the student pathway between the East and West buildings. Both of these minor projects are necessary to better manage student traffic between the East and West building.
It's exciting to see the construction progress and the administration and school board ask for patience and cooperation during the construction project. For a more detailed review and discussion of the history and status of the High School Addition and Renovation project, please go to www.nbreferendum.com and click on the “Construction Progress Report” tab at the top of the page. Also, follow on Twitter and the hashtag . Regular updates are posted on this page as well.
The Board of Education, administration, faculty, and staff would like to express a sincere thank you for your continued patience and support.

08/28/2019

HS Construction of Rear Parking Lot

08/28/2019

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:
With Labor Day Holiday this weekend, and the opening of school for the FY’20 school year next week, Administrators and School Board members are pleased to see the rear bus parking lot construction will be completed Thursday. The pictures and video below show the construction of the rear bus parking lot.
With the completion of the rear parking lot, the school busses will be able to enter the campus via the bus access road and pick-up and drop-off students in the new rear bus parking lot.
Throughout the school year there will be ongoing construction between the East and West buildings of the High School and as a result, the student and faculty walkway between the buildings will be restricted to a specific walking path. With the safety of our students the top priority, we will be constructing a walkway and construction fencing to restrict all access to the construction area.
As Labor Day weekend approaches, it’s good to see the construction timelines for the parking have been met and the facilities are ready to welcome our faculty and students next week.
For regular updates on the project, please follow on Twitter and the hashtag . Also, a more detailed review and discussion of the history and status of the High School Addition and Renovation project can be located when go to www.nbreferendum.com and you click on the “Construction Progress Report” tab at the top of the page. Also, regular updates are posted on this page as well.
The Board of Education, administration, faculty, and staff would like to express a sincere thank you for your continued patience and support.

08/13/2019

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:
Construction continues on the high school campus and each day brings progress and change. The parking lot expansion project is scheduled to be substantially completed on or before August 30th and this will allow the school busses to enter the campus via the bus access road and pick-up and drop-off students in the new locations between the East and West Buildings.
In the next two weeks, Superintendent and Principal "Welcome back" letters to parents and students will outline the updates and changes to be implemented during the school year. All protocols will insure student safety and allow for the construction to continue while school is in session.
Please note that there are no changes to the parent drop-off protocols at the West Building and AM and PM bus transportation protocols will remain the same as well. The most significant challenge will be to accommodate the student passing between the East and West Buildings as access to both buildings will be limited due to the construction. Administration will closely monitor this and determine several options to better facilitate the student passing between classes.
It's exciting to see these facility upgrades underway and the administration and school board ask for patience and cooperation during the construction project. For a more detailed review and discussion of the history and status of the High School Addition and Renovation project, please go to www.nbreferendum.com and click on the “Construction Progress Report” tab at the top of the page. Also, follow on Twitter and the hashtag . Regular updates are posted on this page as well.
The Board of Education, administration, faculty, and staff would like to express a sincere thank you for your continued patience and support.

07/27/2019

High School Addition and Renovation Project Update:

Dear Community Members:

The following is a general update to the status of the High School Addition and Renovation Project. The Board and Administration has been very busy working with the Architect and Project Manager to advance the project.
As previously discussed, the initial bids for the project were rejected by the Board in early April because the bids were significantly higher than the construction estimates. As a result, the Board, administrators, and project professionals decided to revise the bidding strategies by breaking the total project into smaller, more manageable projects. This strategy has been successful as the Board did receive more competitive bids in May and June. In fact, the Board received bids in May and in June on these smaller projects and was able to award these bids. Subsequently, the work has begun and will continue through the summer of 2019 and into the FY’20 school year.

I am pleased to report that on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 the first job meeting for the High School Addition and Renovation project took place. The following is an update.
• At the May 2019 Board meeting, the first bid package awarded. This work includes the Parking Lot, Retention Basin, and Site Utilities.
• The second bid package which includes the new boiler in East Building and the Emergency Generator to handle both East and West Buildings was awarded by the Board at the June Board meeting.
• The third bid package which includes the Fitness Center, 300/400 Classrooms, and associated HVAC work was on the same schedule as the second bid package. However, the Board was not satisfied with the bids received so this package will be rebid. This package will be out to bid the week of July 22nd and bids should be received in late August/early September.
• The bid package for the High School New Connector Addition and associated renovations was awarded at the special Board meeting in June.

If you have had a chance to drive by campus since school ended in June, you have noticed all the construction activity underway. The construction has begun on the Parking Lot and site utility work. This project continues to progress according to schedule. Substantial completion of this parking lot project is targeted for August 30th.

Updates will be posted throughout the summer and into the school year. It's exciting to see the construction underway!

Northern Burlington High School 2018 Referendum

08/26/2021

05/12/2020

03/09/2020

10/14/2019

09/12/2019

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