Haddon Township residents approve school district proposal for $30.5M improvement project

Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read

HADDON TWP. — A $30.5 million school improvement project here received strong support in a March 12 referendum, according to unofficial results.

Residents voted 1,751-936 to approve local borrowing of about $21 million for the district's costs, officials said Tuesday night.

State aid is to cover the balance.

The project will focus largely on the district's high school and middle school, including a turf field and other improvements for the stadium.

'Devastating news:' State chops school aid, Districts in pain include Cherry Hill, Haddon Township, Lenape

But Superintendent Robert Fisicaro said, "All seven buildings will see improvements."

“This funding will enable us to make needed security upgrades, repurpose space at the middle school and high school and replace aged mechanical/ventilation units and floors in several buildings," he said in a statement released Tuesday night.

Changes coming to Haddon Township

The approved bond will increase property taxes by about $263 annually for an average home assessed at $231,245.

The district "will soon begin project design and construction," its statement said.

A March 12 referendum appears to have won voter approval for improvements at Haddon Township High School, including bleacher repairs and installation of a turf field. The current field is covered to protect the grass surface.
A March 12 referendum appears to have won voter approval for improvements at Haddon Township High School, including bleacher repairs and installation of a turf field. The current field is covered to protect the grass surface.

The current referendum results are based on mail-in ballots and in-person voting.

Some mail-in and provisional ballots are still to be counted, but the outcome is not expected to change, the district said.

According to its website, the district wants to spend $13.8 million on “educational enhancement” and $8.7 million for "athletics/community." It would devote $8 million to infrastructure and safety.

Ten percent, or $3 million, would go to the five elementary schools, including floor replacements for their all-purpose rooms.

Among other changes, the project is expected to expand and improve the media center, including creation of a middle school counseling center. It also will renovate the high school's auto shop and adjacent areas to create "21st Century vocational education” facilities,

Many improvements will address the district's athletic facilities at the high school complex.

The stadium will receive an all-sports turf field and improvements to its bleachers, concession areas and restrooms.

Tennis courts described as "crumbling" will be replaced with eight surfaces suitable for tennis and pickleball.

Workers also will address flooding issues at the Lower Recchino Fields and in some parts of the high school.

Also, locker rooms will be upgraded for male and female athletes.

Among other projects, workers are to remove a sharp turn that puts drivers and pedestrians at risk at the high school’s Memorial Avenue entrance

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Project will mostly upgrade high school, middle school in Haddon Twp.