The Vineland Public School district’s facilities and maintenance staff were hard at work over the summer, ensuring that our buildings and athletic fields were ready for the start of another school year. There were several large projects that wrapped up as part of the Cares Act funding, which was provided for the district following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dane Barse School was the most intensive project completed. Barse School has four additions that were added throughout the years, with the original school constructed in 1951 and additions following in 1962, 1966, and 1998 to accommodate the students in Vineland. The original school received a brand new roof totalling almost 5000 square feet. Brand new windows were installed in late spring leading up to the end of the school year. The HVAC Project then started in its entirety, which included an entirely new HVAC system consisting of gas-hot forced air with electric air conditioning. All of our district's new systems were designed to provide humidity control, UV disinfecting, and high-level filtration, with increased outside air delivery. Additionally, new ceilings and LED lighting were included as part of the project.
Dr. John Winlsow School continued with "phase two" of HVAC renovations from last summer. Twelve additional classrooms in the 1966 addition are now upgraded. This equipment is slightly different but mimics all of the new upgrades similar to Dane Barse. Again, new ceilings and LED lighting were included as part of the project.
Dr. William Mennies School also finished up with a small continuation of last summer's HVAC project. This included the main corridor, central office suite, and art room. Everything is now completed and functioning.
Window projects for this summer included VHS North and VHS South (V Wing). The entire North building will be finished by the start of the school year. VHS South will finish up on the second shift (when no students or staff are present) this fall.
The district will also approve the final two schools for window replacement at September's board meeting. Maria Durand and Dr. John Winslow Elementary Schools will receive brand-new windows for next summer. All the window projects include screens, operable windows, and blinds.
Anthony Rossi School had a new roof replaced this summer as part of our capital funding.
Paul Farinaccio, Director of Maintenance Services, noted that VPS was able to take full advantage of the funding the school district received from the government.
“Many school districts have not yet started performing upgrades and the time to utilize the funding is running out,” Farinaccio said. “Our district did quite well in utilizing our Cares Act monies. We hit the ground running and tried to maximize every single dollar. There were challenges to execute all of this work, including manufacturing and shipping delays.”
Currently, the district is working on phase two of our security camera initiatives. Phase one included new cameras at our high schools and middle schools. Phase two will include work at the elementary schools.
“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort in Vineland,” Farinaccio said. “I want to thank the Administration, Board, and my facility team, which includes the entire department. A special acknowledgment to Robert Pitocchi, Jorge Cardona, Andrew Nelson, and Jose Ayala. I can do nothing alone. It takes a team and I have the best!”