By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer

LINWOOD – The Mainland Regional Board of Education discussed new proposals for additions and renovations to the high school Monday, Sept. 15 and is looking to possibly settle on specifics at a special meeting.  The special meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the school’s vocal music room.

The board viewed drawings for modifications to the building supplied by architect of record Faridy Veisz Fraytak PC that are being considered for a possible referendum to go before voters in April 2009.

While the architect was not in attendance drawings for new modifications to the building were available for board members.

One plan with a price tag of $6.389 million included converting classrooms into two computer labs, among other classroom additions, two science labs and renovations for a student population of 1,577. The other, which would add two new classrooms and two science labs, with other renovations similar to the first proposal would be for 1,556 students and cost $5.083 million.

At a meeting with architect Dave Fraytek last week the board was presented with a base figure of $27.824 million for various renovations including updating the gymnasiums, updating HVAC, replacing the roof and technology upgrades.

Both new scenarios include expanding guidance in its current location and branching out the child study team to include space occupied by the superintendent and business administrator.

The board offices would be moved to an undetermined location under either option.

Northfield board member Bradford Jungles questioned the need for the two fixed computer labs when wireless technology is becoming more and more common.

Some members of the board discussed cutting $900,000 of music and stage craft additions contained in both plans, but member Marianne Carey of Northfield said she supported the projects.

“I feel the arts are held back,” she said.  “It is a disgrace when we talk about new gyms or a turf field and won’t fund the music addition.”

Board member Keith Ferguson of Northfield backed the first option, saying even that was “minimal” and did not include everything the school needs.

“This is still the worst school compared to Ocean City, Atlantic City,” he said, naming two of the newer high schools in the area.

He said the hallways are narrow and crowded.

And that was the sentiment of sophomore Cole Tyman of Northfield, who served on the committee formulating ideas for what was needed at the school last school year.

“I see three main problems: class size, the condition of the school and congestion,” Tyman said. “Congestion as a student is ridiculous.  Renovations and additions need to be able to focus on fixing that.”

Tyman said after the meeting that he felt moving the cafeteria and the gymnasiums apart could relieve hallway traffic.

“It is gratifying to see you taking the approach to pare down recommendations to see it get approval from the public,” former board member Tom Cox of Northfield said.

He said the tighter the referendum, the better.

Jungles agreed.

“Every year we go out and are very diligent to pare down to the bare bones and still have trouble getting approval,” he said about the budget. “I don’t know how this would be any different.”