Leaky roof at NJ high school prompts questions, concerns ahead of vote

FRANKLINVILLE,N.J. (WPVI) -- Rain poured into Delsea Regional High School in Franklinville, New Jersey on Thursday morning.

More rain means more problems for the school that already has a leaky roof.

Buckets litter the hallways to catch the rain water as it pours in. Caution signs instruct students where to walk.

Some of the walls are even stained from previous rains and there are now health and safety concerns.

"We just feel we have incredible students here, we have a phenomenal teaching staff - our students and our staff deserve better," said Principal Paul Berardelli.

The school district must figure out how to pay for the repairs. Two referendums have been voted down in the past ten years.

With another vote scheduled for next week, Principal Berardelli and district superintendent Dr. Piera Gravenor are urging voters to pass Question 1 on the ballot.

The price tag is $21 million, $2 million of which will fix the roof and the rest will go towards a new HVAC system and other repairs.

Officials say the state will pay half of the costs with recently awarded grants. If the referendum fails, the state will likely force the roof repairs anyway because of safety concerns.

"Once that occurs the state will also take their share of the grants that their giving us now off the table, so the total package will have to be paid for by the taxpayers," said Dr. Gravenor.

Dr. Gravenor says if Question 1 is passed, taxes won't go up because of expiring debt but she's still nervous.

"I just want people informed. I want them to know what exactly they are voting for and the ramifications if the vote doesn't pass," she said.

The repairs may seem like a no-brainer given the grants. However some residents are opposed and want it shot down because they don't like the fact that roof repairs were tied to the new HVAC system.