Welcome to the Holy Glen Elementary School information page

Phases I and II of the construction are being completed.  We are working with township code officials and our engineers to make sure that all parts of the school are safe for students and staff.  Please feel free to email us questions:

Mr. Butch Berglund:     wberglund@monroetwp.k12.nj.us
Dr. Rich Perry:             rperry@monroetwp.k12.nj.us

Please see the attached information on the status of Holly Glen.

Holly Glen FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions. Answers are indicated in blue and italics. Please note, these questions have been answered based on the information we have as of July 25, 2019. 

Wood surfaces that the district said were cleaned/mold removed and then the surfaces painted with a paint that is mold resistant. Would it have been better to just throw the doors, shelves, counter tops away?

The process we used is an approved protocol by Coastal Environmental where we cleaned or removed any bad material/wood, and then utilized an anti-microbial paint on wood surfaces. 

How will the moisture be controlled if the district does not air-condition all areas and condensation is bound to be created. We are aware that outside air can be mixed in but if it is humid air? 

We are utilizing several commercial self-pumping dehumidifiers throughout the building to manage humidity levels. These will be monitored on a daily basis. They are currently being used and monitored now. We are not introducing any building wide cold air into the school or spaces that could potentially create large amounts of condensation. We are also controlling the air pressure and positive air flow of the building. Commercial air scrubbers will also be utilized. 

Water and sewer have not been in use for almost a year. How will the members be assured that all will be up to code? 

Both water and sewer have been used through the course of the building being closed. We are still flushing all systems prior to entry. All systems are up to code. 

Playground safety - Since the construction chewed it up even more. Repair/repave it and repaint map and lines on it.  

All blacktop will be re-milled, repaved, and re-striped before the start of the school year. The map can be added at a later date based on the approval of the principal. 

Room assignments. Has this been done? So members know what rooms they will be teaching/working in? So the workers will know where to take the boxes/supplies when the move happens.  

The principal has a master list and provided it to Aramark. There is a master schedule of when and where all boxes/supplies will be moved. Further information will be disseminated by the principal.  

Weekly update meetings or emails to keep lines of communication open especially  for those members who are not able to attend meetings in person.  

As information becomes available, it will be disseminated as needed. 

How can we set up MTEA/NJEA/WEC walk-throughs prior to members entering the building. (HG)

Walkthroughs can be scheduled through Mr. Berglund. Only MTEA executive committee members. No pictures can be taken. No outside representatives/inspectors are permitted.  

So the vents in our rooms will be closed out/sealed up? What will be used to bring heat into the classrooms?

The vents are not sealed and will be utilized to bring in fresh air. We have operational windows that can be used for ventilation. The heat will be provided by our current system which has been certified cleaned by our environmental consultant for use. 

Classrooms get extremely hot without an “air chiller” to circulate the air. Will fans or window air conditioner units be put in the classrooms?

As of July 25, 2019, there are rooms identified where air conditioners are required due to IEPs and any other special circumstances designated by the principal.

There are portable, commercial grade air conditioners. Can they be brought in to cool the building?

We are bringing commercial grade portable or window units as required due to IEPs and any other special circumstances designated by the principal. In addition, no personally owned fans or portable air conditioners can be brought into the school as per QSAC requirements. 

If funds and donations are not made available to purchase furniture, etc, what is the back up plan?

All rooms will be furnished according to the needs of the classrooms as per the building principal. 

Will we be given time to pack our belongings where we are now, and time to have things moved and unpacked/set up at Holly Glen?

As of July 25, 2019, a schedule has been developed with a commercial moving company. The dates of the move will be provided by the building principal. 

What is the anticipated move-in date?

We do not have official move-in date as of July 25, 2019. 

Concerns for children with sensory issues being too warm without air conditioner (especially after meltdowns/ over heating themselves)

As of July 25, 2019, there are rooms identified where air conditioners are required due to IEPs and any other special circumstances designated by the principal.

Update on commons materials?

Everything was cleaned. If there was any suspect it was discarded. This was completed by a certified remediation company (ServPro).

Will the electric handle all the air conditioners? Electrical supply for all the new AC window units ?

The electrical load capacity will be able to handle the air conditioners we are installing.  

Copying for the week. How is that getting done? 

This will be addressed by the principal. 

Orientation for HG Kindergarten Date?

Due to the short time frame, we are unable to have a Kindergarten orientation.  

Areas that specifically need to be checked when Union walks through.

Below are the answers to previous questions. We have added additional information as of July 25, 2019. 

History of other meetings and questions. Thanks to Pam C.

February 6, 2019 HG meeting with Dr. Perry & Questions to list for future meetings.

Aug-Dec 2018: district was negotiating with insurance company about money

1.6 million dollars in damages to Holly Glen

Tentative agreement on what the insurance will pay us

Multiple causes of mold - exterior drainage from the roof, underground drainage, control systems put in place that worked against previous system, sucking in moisture into the classrooms (this is what caused mold on metal objects), roof damage

As of July 25, 2019 - The settlement with the insurance company has been completed and the district received $500,000. 

4 phases/Tiers to fix HG

Phase 1-2 

Bids are out now for these 2 phases: 1st two deal with exterior phases, underground drainage 

Specs and drawings were approved by county office for phase 1 and 2

EXPECTED MARCH START DATE

As of July 25, 2019 - Phases 1 and 2 will be completed by mid-August in preparation for the opening of school in September. 

Phase 3:

Bids are not out yet, but will be the next ones -install ventilator units to be used for heat, install roof top units for fresh air intake. EXPECTED AUGUST START DATE AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Next week anticipate approval for phase 3 from board and out for bid with starting date in March

As of July 25, 2019 - Tier 3 is still being investigated, possibly being completed in the future. Tier 3 is not required to be completed for continued certification of occupancy. 

Anticipated back in building in September.

Dr. Perry will have an office at HG as construction continues through the school year. 

Cleaning company will be brought in, air testing will be completed more than once, a hygienist will be brought in to clear the building of any issues. 

Walk throughs will be done before September for HG staff and student families being allowed into building.

As of July 25, 2019 - We have not scheduled any walk-throughs however teachers will be able to enter the building to set-up their classrooms prior to the school opening. They will be compensated per the previous agreement. 

Will air quality tests be accessed/viewed for the public before we go back?

YES, Air quality testing will be done several times before and after the start of school as construction continues and public can view them.  

As of July 25, 2019 - There are some air quality testing results have been posted on our website to view. We are continuously updating the website with testing results. 

Will classrooms be equipped for the start of the year? (furniture, cubbies, desks, etc)

Phase 1, 2 & 3 are a priority, then this issue will be looked into as to what is needed. Community Resources will be looked into for help and support. Money will be put into the budget to reorder furniture and supplies - money has been put into the budget to offset the cost. Anything that has been contaminated will be disposed of. Inventory will be made for needed items. 

As of July 25, 2019 - All rooms will be furnished according to the needs of the classrooms as per the building principal. 

Will floor tiles that are moldy be replaced?

Anything that contains mold has or will be removed. 

As of July 25, 2019 - Floors have been inspected, tested, and cleared as mold free.

Will the old sinks/counters in classrooms be replaced?

Yes, anything with mold, old pipes, etc will be replaced. 

As of July 25, 2019 - Only items with mold that could not be cleaned, were removed and replaced. 

Will the old vents be taken out? Or will they still be used? 

Old vent systems have been cleaned - vents will not be used again. They will be closed out. 

As of July 25, 2019 - After further examination and in consultation with the environmental consultant, all the unit ventilators have been cleaned and cleared for use. These are used to bring in fresh air and to move heat through the classroom during the heating season. 

With the new vent system only partially completed in September will there be air conditioning?

NO AIR CONDITIONING WILL BE AVAILABLE. FANS CAN BE USED. THE ROOFTOP UNITS WILL BE BRINGING IN FRESH AIR THAT IS “COOLER”. (scrubbers will be put in to keep air cool)

As of July 25, 2019 - There are rooms identified where air conditioners are required due to IEPs and any other special circumstances designated by the principal.

Will the Commons be fixed/ready?

The Commons is being addressed.

As of July 25, 2019 - The roof has been replaced. There are no leaks. All rooms have been properly remediated. Aramark is currently conducting summer cleaning in that area. 

Are any of our items still in classrooms? Are any boxes we labeled in the summer to stay at HG still there?

The gym has not been touched. Boxes are still in the gym. As for classroom items, all suspect items have been or will be thrown out. Most classrooms are empty. 

As of July 25, 2019 - Once classrooms are fully cleaned and ready, boxes from the gym will be moved to the appropriate classrooms. 

Is there a plan B if this plan does not go through? 

No alternate plan if things do not go according to plans to open in September.

As of July 25, 2019 - We are scheduled to open in August for the teachers to get their classrooms ready. A date has not been determined. School will open on time in September. 

A new complete HVAC system for HG will cost approximately $4 million.

Currently, the district is investigating various means of securing possible funding. 

Additional Information from Administration

Dr. Perry will be developing a response team to address air quality issues as they arise.