As we move into the new school year, the Facilities Department is proud to announce the completion of several key projects that will significantly enhance the safety, comfort, and functionality of our district’s schools. Our facilities team has been working diligently to meet deadlines and ensure that our buildings are ready to welcome students and staff back for the new academic year.
Some of the notable projects completed this summer include:
The ESSER III window replacement projects at VHS North and South are fully completed, with our team addressing final punch list items. The Marie Durand School project, which included both abatement and glass installation, is also finished.
The Phase II CCTV project, funded by the SDA, includes parking lot extensions at Winslow, Sabater/Dallago, and Johnstone schools. We are currently finalizing punch list items and working closely with our Security team to ensure smooth operations as we move forward.
At the VHS campus, we consolidated the campus with a relocated electronic message board. Additionally, plans are in place to present permanent signage on the existing marquees to assist with "wayfinding" on both campuses.
The Energy Savings Improvement Plan (ESCO project) was approved at the August Board meeting. This plan will allow the district to move forward with a multitude of energy-saving initiatives, such as LED lighting and additional HVAC renovations. Ultimately, the net result will lower the district's energy bills and replace outdated equipment. Additional roofing projects were also allocated through a second School Development Grant. Sectional roofing replacement at the VHS Tanner Building and Memorial School's 98 addition will be completed by the start of the school year. Additionally, final funds have been allocated to address immediate repairs to the flat roof at Landis School, ensuring the building is well-protected for the coming school year.
As part of our Capital spending for 2024/2025, the roof at Dane Barse was replaced this summer and will be ready for the school year. At VHS North, we are working to replace all of the water source heat pumps for each classroom. Currently in the design phase, we hope to publicly bid this project in September. We anticipate awarding the project soon after, with work to be completed either on the second shift or next summer.
In addition to these significant projects, the Facilities team also completed a wide range of ancillary tasks that are crucial to the smooth operation of our schools. The team has cleaned buildings totaling over 1.6 million square feet, ensuring that every classroom, hallway, and common area is ready for the return of students and staff. They have also processed over 400 work orders, addressing everything from minor repairs to more significant maintenance needs. In addition, our team has diligently maintained the district's outdoor grounds, covering almost 400 acres, to provide safe and welcoming environments for outdoor activities.
Paul Farinaccio, Director of Maintenance Services and Information Technology Services, expressed pride in the team’s achievements this summer, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing our district’s infrastructure.
“These accomplishments reflect the hard work and dedication of our Facilities team,” Farinaccio said. “We are committed to maintaining and improving the infrastructure of our district to support the educational environment for our students and staff. Thank you to everyone involved in making this summer a success. We look forward to continuing our progress throughout the upcoming school year.”
The Technology Department also had a remarkably productive summer, laying the groundwork for a successful academic year by implementing essential upgrades and conducting critical audits across the district.
Over the summer, the technology team carried out a thorough audit and testing of about 9,700 Chromebooks. This was a key step in rolling out our new technology plan, which supports the district’s one-to-one initiative, ensuring every student has access to personal technology. By carefully testing each device, we've made sure our Chromebooks are ready for classroom use, making their integration into the learning experience as smooth as possible.
Our technicians have been hard at work distributing both the tested Chromebooks and new inventory to all elementary, middle, and high schools. This large-scale effort was carefully coordinated to ensure every school has the technology it needs for the new school year.
Beyond the Chromebook initiative, the Technology Department has been crucial in supporting the district’s camera project. Our technicians provided essential backend network support to ensure the new camera systems function smoothly across all campuses. This work reflects our dedication to improving the safety and security of our schools through technology.
We've also made significant strides in several key infrastructure projects. Upgrades to the district’s firewall have strengthened our cybersecurity measures, protecting sensitive data and safeguarding our network. We also completed a detailed review of our phone systems, pinpointing areas for improvement and making changes to enhance communication across the district.
Additionally, we improved our burglar and card access systems to boost the security and accessibility of our facilities. These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and visitors.
Farinaccio also had high praise for the technology team’s work this summer.
“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication our team has shown over the summer,” he said. “Their efforts have set us up for a successful year, ensuring that our technology is ready to support both our students and staff from day one.”
Vineland Public Schools wants to thank our incredible facilities and technology teams for their hard work and dedication this summer to make sure we have a successful start to the school year!