By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Work is currently underway to change the face of Pennsauken Public Schools. In March 2018, Pennsauken residents overwhelmingly passed an almost $36 million bond referendum, proposed by the Pennsauken School District to make significant capital improvements to every public school in the Township. In the months that followed the vote, District officials have been hard at work to move several of the referendum projects, as well as several other initiatives, forward.
Field Upgrades At Pennsauken High School
Before the end of the 2017-2018 school year, prep work started at the main field at Pennsauken High School, including the removal of underground pipes, preparation for the installation of electrical wiring for the lights and speakers to be added to the stadium. Work was extensive and hampered by the large amounts of rain encountered during the summer. Construction has commenced on the field, with the track to follow; and work will continue into the fall.
Security Vestibules
The installation of security vestibules designed to limit access to District schools is scheduled to begin in October. During construction, access to certain areas of specific Pennsauken Public Schools will be limited. Parents and guardians of students will be informed of these changes by building principals and every effort will be made to the limit the impact of this work will have on day-to-day school operations.
Longfellow Park
After the passing of the bond referendum, the Pennsauken School District Pennsauken polled residents on what should be done with the Longfellow School property after the building’s demolition. Eighty-two percent of residents who participated in the survey were in favor of the park; 18 percent were opposed. The majority of positive respondents approved of most of the items suggested, including traditional playground equipment, preschool-accessible playground equipment, handicap-accessible playground equipment, walking/running path, pickleball courts, and a gazebo/pavilion.
During the fall semester, the District will provide the community with a specific timeline regarding the demolition of Longfellow Elementary. Any items of historical significance will be preserved for posterity; and a determination will be made on whether or not alumni/residents will have an opportunity to take any keepsakes from the building.
Magnet School At Roosevelt
Roosevelt Elementary has begun the conversion process into a high tech magnet high school with several new state-of-the-art science labs. Preparations are also underway for the construction of the 9,800 square foot gymnasium that will be added to the building.
More Changes To The High School
The transformation of Pennsauken High School’s library into a comprehensive media center will occur during the 2018-2019 school year. Other construction projects, unrelated to the bond referendum, are also nearing completion at 800 Hylton Rd. At the time of publication, both the new welding and electrical shops are slated to be ready for use at the beginning of the school year.
As work continues, District officials encourage residents to visit Pennsauken.net for updates on all ongoing capital improvements.
