Students and teachers will start their summer break soon but for the PPS staff and outside professionals engaged in school renovations and new construction—including building contractors, architects, and engineers—it’s the start of their busiest season, a relatively short window in which to make improvements to schools without disrupting classroom education.

“We have a broad scope of work for the summer and an experienced team overseeing the portfolio of projects,” said Kathie Foster, acting superintendent. “Our current team works well together. I’ve been impressed with their dedication when it comes to completing projects on time and on budget.”  Dr. Foster praised the work of Matt Bouldin, PPS board administrator, and David Harding, director of plant and operations.

Projects slated for the summer include new security vestibules, additional security cameras, new interior doors at Princeton Middle School and Princeton High School, new roofing, improved playground drainage, HVAC improvements, and a renovation of the Princeton High School cafeteria. Most of the improvements taking place over the summer are funded by taxpayer-approved bond issues, including the bond issue approved in the 2023 referendum.

“The projects we are starting this summer will enhance safety and improve  learning and common spaces for our students and staff,” said Dr. Foster.

In addition to renovations and improvements, there will be necessary improvements to digital infrastructure in support of learning.  A new district-wide 10 gig network upgrade, with new fiber cabling replacing outdated cable, will facilitate better connectivity for students and staff.

“We have an ambitious schedule and a relatively short time period, about 10 weeks, when schools are mostly empty,” said Mr. Bouldin. In schools where students are engaged in summer classes the window is even briefer.

One of the most eagerly anticipated projects is the updating of the Princeton High School cafeteria. The renovated cafeteria will have redesigned food stations, more seating options, improved acoustics, and new furniture. Improved flow through the food stations will result in a shorter wait time in the food service line. And the redesign creates more usable square footage with improved functionality and more choices about where to sit and eat lunch.

“I anticipate that the combination of the new cafeteria and the new food service provider will make a big difference in the way that PHS students experience lunch,” said Mr. Bouldin. The district recently signed a food service contract with Pomptonian Inc. that will go into effect on July 1.

New security vestibules are being built at both the PHS main entrance and the PAC entrance, providing an added level of security for the high school. With two sets of double doors, the security vestibules are similar to the upgraded entrances at the other five schools. Visitors are buzzed in, show identification to the building monitor, and then are buzzed through a second set of doors.

“The district has been working for several years to standardize and improve security at all of the schools” said Mr. Bouldin.

The vestibules are not the only security-related improvement. Internal improvements to classroom doors at the high school and middle school, increased security camera coverage, and security film for windows are also part of the summer improvement schedule.

Meanwhile, roofing teams will be at Princeton High School during the summer, replacing and repairing parts of the roof which were not part of previous upgrades. The new roofing will bring the district one step closer to being able to install solar panels, a big step forward in attaining district sustainability and budgetary goals.

Recent repairs to the masonry on the Princeton High School tower and turrets have been successfully completed along with repairs to the historic slate roof.

PPS has been working with community partners, including Sustainable Princeton and local native plant expert Steve Hiltner, to expand the native plantings in the Princeton High School detention and retention basins. One of the basins, known as the EcoLab, is used by biology classes. The other basin, near the tennis courts, is also home to native plants. In addition to educational purposes, the basins provide necessary drainage for the school grounds.

At Princeton Middle School, summer projects include new pool lighting, new starting blocks for the pool, and a new safety drain at the bottom of the pool.

“We are excited to have new natatorium lighting in the PMS pool,” said Mr. Bouldin. “It will improve gym classes for PMS students.”

Also at PMS, doors will be replaced and outdated, inefficient HVAC will be upgraded in common spaces. Future projects at PMS, scheduled for a longer timeline, include upgrading the PA system, and a new rooftop HVAC system.

At the elementary schools, approximately $1 million in playground improvements, approved in the 2023 referendum, are in the works, according to Mr. Bouldin. After meeting with parents this spring, the district has moved forward, working with civil engineers, and playground design firms.

“We are making progress with our playground plans and I think we will have more specifics soon,” said Mr. Bouldin. Also in the planning stages are improved drainage for the playgrounds, new accessibility features for playgrounds, and new fencing at Community Park School.

At the elementary schools, recently completed projects include new siding, gutters, and skylights at Littlebrook and Johnson Park.

“The new siding made a huge difference at Littlebrook,” said Mr. Bouldin, who added that there have been significant energy efficiency improvements at Littlebrook. “And the renovation of the skylights at Johnson Park, which eliminated leaks and enhanced lighting, was also very successful.”

The work doesn’t stop after the summer. Elevator improvements, HVAC ductwork, and tennis court drainage are among the projects that are in the planning phase. These projects are not necessary summer projects and may require ongoing work. Replacing the turf field, resurfacing the track, and continued HVAC work are among the projects planned for the summer of 2025.

"The facilities improvement team continues to work hard to be effective stewards of our school buildings and to make our schools safe and welcoming spaces," said Dr. Foster.  "All of our students benefit from their efforts."