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August 18, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7
District eligible for $1 million in state grants
by Frank J. McMahon The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District is one of 177 school districts across the state that the New Jersey Department of Education has identified as eligible for state grants toward the cost of capital maintenance and construction projects. The regional high school district has been approved for $1,019,612 in state grants towards the cost of exterior masonry repair and recoating the roof at Indian Hills High School, window replacement at Ramapo High School, and air conditioning upgrades and electrical and asbestos work at both schools. The grants represent about 40 percent of the cost of the capital projects and are contingent upon voter or budget approval of the remaining cost to local school districts. The regional high school district will have to pay the balance of $1,529,417 towards the total cost of the capital projects and Richard Vespucci of the NJDOE Public Information Office advised that can be done by either using money in the school district’s capital reserve account, or by holding a referendum to get voter support for selling bonds to obtain the money and paying those bonds off over a 30-year period. “Efficient, up-to-date school facilities are a priority of this administration and part of ensuring New Jersey children receive a quality education,” Governor Chris Christie said when announcing the grants. “These grants will fund critical projects across our state, helping to improve the learning environments for our students and providing necessary support to districts by easing their local property tax burden.” Frank Ceurvels, the regional high school district’s business administrator, advised, however, that the loss of about $1.2 million in state aid this year basically eliminated four of the five projects from the school district’s budget, and the only project that remained in the budget was the roof recoating at Indian Hills High School for $324,900. Ceurvels explained the process for getting that state grant of $129,960, saying it could take several months, even though the $194,940, which is the school district’s local share of the cost, is in the district’s budget. He explained that, if the school board agrees with the preliminary eligible cost estimate of the NJDOE, a final eligible cost would
be developed and reviewed by the state. The board would then approve that final eligible cost, after which the state’s School Development Authority would make the final grant offer. The board would also have to commit to spending the local share of the cost of the project. Ceurvels said the other projects would need local funding either from the district’s capital reserve account or from voter approval, but more school board discussion would be needed before any action could be taken on those projects.
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The First Franklin Lakes Youth “Splash and Dash” Biathlon will be held Saturday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. Athletes ranging in age from seven to 15 will compete in this swim/ run event to be held at The Indian Trail Club, 830 Franklin Lake Road in Franklin Lakes. Proceeds will benefit both the Franklin Lakes Recreation Department and the Wyckoff Family YMCA. The race is designed to promote health and wellness for children and be a social community-wide event. There will be four race groups: seven- and eight-yearolds compete in a 75-yard pool swim and one-mile run; nine- to 11-year-olds swim 200 yards in pool and run two
‘Splash and Dash’ Biathlon open to youth
miles; 12- and 13-year-olds swim 400 yards in the lake and a 2.5 mile run; and 14- and 15-year-olds swim 600 yards in the lake and run three miles. All participants will receive a T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each age category and to the top three relay teams. The race will accommodate a limited number of participants. Individual fee is $50, and relay teams are $65. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Call Nancy at the Wyckoff Y at (201) 891-2081 for registration and sponsorship information or download forms from www.wyckoffymca.org.
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