[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6078996,"mediaKeyId","2956755-16be13c385fe8bfc52a7268384b3f0cf","parentId",2956755,"title","Honeywell outlines $5.5 million ESIP for Vernon schools, projects $316,000 annual energy savings","audioSeconds",1196,"startMs",720000,"endMs",1916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956755-16be13c385fe8bfc52a7268384b3f0cf&start=720&end=1916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956755-16be13c385fe8bfc52a7268384b3f0cf/thumbnail_720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078996/New-Jersey/Honeywell-outlines-55-million-ESIP-for-Vernon-schools-projects-316000-annual-energy-savings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078996-29b9f08ea9e2851171961dc8ce4a576e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163004&Signature=ik1cXetNNLKg-c1XKfT5XvKGXNq9l71DNFDv1-zUfNV-4TQEUTeGNJaRF0Fw0BMu1oUqcERGFq1b4d6VQL8Q9mBXlhhoIKNTQdDX-mteIUhVEDMLfLo~fsKjPjSPlAhZyNI5Ep4otzw7x~xMwzIynr3Wnj4XQKXBP1UdBZFAsn7RsjfGaM3MkNaIpAoKTSAk5pyp6HYf4cLCeVYAOqXrEq3v6H8JQhhRuiaHkr-P2MF~bx6g4B-GCSPlss8kmfcEDk-9vh2WzIWs1iVcwHcyJCz78MiFLzorhd6WdrUQIHvg~i6jdgUDwMT7p8gaGNpjNlJ06Ag~bVNz70oTb~v2Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vernon Township School District","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","Honeywell representatives told the Vernon Township Board of Education on April 10 that an Energy Savings Improvement Program, or ESIP, could pay for roughly $5.5 million in energy and building-system upgrades across district schools while producing an estimated $316,000 in annual utility savings.

The ESIP presentation focused on how the Energy Savings Improvement Program authorized by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities allows school districts to finance upgrades with the savings those upgrades produce. Honeywell project lead John Bonavist said the district’s audited utility spend totaled about $1.1 million for calendar year 2024 and that the proposed measures would reduce that budget by roughly 28.5 percent.

Why it matters: The ESIP framework can make large mechanical, lighting and solar projects “budget neutral” by covering debt service with energy savings, officials said. If the district proceeds, the work could modernize heating, ventilation and controls while locking in predictable energy costs and adding solar generation at the high school.

Honeywell said the district’s investment-grade audit and the BPU-required local-audit step are complete and that the team is finalizing selected energy conservation measures. The firm described typical measures as LED lighting, building-management controls, envelope work, selective mechanical upgrades and solar. Bonavist told the board the rough-order-of-magnitude financing estimate put project size “down below 5 and a half million dollars” on a 20‑year repayment model.

Board members pressed Honeywell staff on rate and performance risk. Trustee Michael Krauss asked how exposed the district was to current interest‑rate volatility; Honeywell replied that the firm had included market turbulence in its assumptions and that final prices would be locked at contract execution (targeted for July). On the question of whether savings could fall short, Honeywell said it offers a separate, cancellable performance‑guarantee contract that includes measurement‑and‑verification and costs roughly $38,000 a year as quoted at the meeting. Bonavist said the guarantee pays an annual shortfall if verified savings fall below the guarantee; excess savings would flow to the district’s operating budget.

Board members also asked about the bidding and procurement process. Honeywell said the district would hire an independent engineer or architect to run the public-bid work under New Jersey bidding rules; Honeywell said it typically “steps to the side” and remains neutral while the district’s engineer runs the public bid. The firm emphasized that the contract offered at execution would be a firm‑fixed price for the agreed scope and that change orders would be required only for district‑requested scope changes.

Solar and site scope: Honeywell described a separate solar power‑purchase agreement (PPA) process already run by district staff for the high school. The company said the high school’s project — a parking‑lot canopy system — could produce the largest share of on‑site solar generation; other schools in the district face interconnection or roof‑condition constraints that make rooftop solar less viable today.

Next steps and schedule: Honeywell and district staff said they are coordinating with bond counsel and the district’s municipal financial adviser to finalize the financing structure and to present contract documents to the board. The presentation cited a target of July for finalizing contract terms and beginning construction after contract execution and summer mobilization.

What remained undecided: The board and Honeywell discussed the possibility of a later “phase 2” to pursue additional measures if external conditions change — for example, if new natural‑gas mains are routed near schools, making conversions from oil to gas feasible. Honeywell said that would require another procurement and, likely, a follow‑on audit and financing step.

Honeywell’s presentation and engineering work were informational; the board did not vote on contract award at the April 10 work session. Trustees said they wanted the firm and district staff to return with final contract and financing documents once bond counsel and the municipal advisor have completed their reviews.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Honeywell representatives told the Vernon Township Board of Education on April 10 that an Energy Savings Improvement Program, or ESIP, could pay for roughly $5.5 million in energy and building-system upgrades across district schools while producing an estimated $316,000 in annual utility savings.","taxTitle","Vernon Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",54426,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078991,"Vernon board accepts Superintendent Russell Rogers’ retirement; approves application to raise spending authority and hires search firm",30,943000,973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956755-16be13c385fe8bfc52a7268384b3f0cf&start=943&end=973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956755-16be13c385fe8bfc52a7268384b3f0cf/thumbnail_943000.jpg","/articles/6078991/New-Jersey/Vernon-board-accepts-Superintendent-Russell-Rogers-retirement-approves-application-to-raise-spending-authority-and-hires-search-firm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078991-9fcaa922c02cf38f4d82bc8b4d544ceb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163004&Signature=dHNT-UzSwkvDHInDtBEdnSd23YMxUj4AiB6PnwenGlUxirQzTNIpTeAIdGXB6qp8TbGX4~SCOFWyWSfHfeucZ0K~mwtLvhg5Spo~2WKQSJ7vizpPGGCiI7WuQr2F6FORrwxyW2nA~BnCM0-N5b6ZYZAPPCiopU3uCKYd8G1A2g01Bj9QOjwqthO8xJfjQXugtFGVtWj7~INrUJaweadJTq7lJns2cUFCu6d7tHQjIIFH7UQb-2PvIDNK1typ~dCK5v-g89MLEqZAPEhjec0q6ziu4nJQgg~GHZbkMaGtdocc9xbhAVABMjwi8g4d3Nw5G9KjgQNrfzhg-ipFGpO7pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Township Board of Education voted on April 10 to accept Superintendent Russell Rogers’ resignation for purposes of retirement effective Aug. 1, 2025, and to proceed with two related administrative steps: submitting a state application that would authorize an increase in district expenditures and hiring the New Jersey School Boards Association to help conduct a superintendent search.

Rogers announced his retirement at the start of the work session, saying the decision was “for personal reasons” and noting his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the district. Earlier in the meeting Rogers read a public statement saying he would retire effective Aug. 1, 2025 and thanked staff and the board for the opportunity to serve.

Why it matters: The superintendent’s planned August departure starts a formal search and transition process for district leadership. At the same meeting the board also voted to seek state approval for additional local taxing authority and approved paying the statewide school‑board association to run the superintendent search, both steps intended to help the district plan staffing and operations into the next school year.

Resignation and board thanks: The board passed a resolution accepting Rogers’ resignation as superintendent effective Aug. 1, 2025. Trustees spoke in tribute to Rogers’ service; one trustee recalled Rogers’ willingness to check roads in a winter storm at 4 a.m. to make the right operational decision for the district.

Application to Commissioner of Education: The board approved submission of an application under the governor’s proposed budget provisions that would allow Vernon to increase expenditures by up to $1,265,950 and, if approved by the commissioner, to qualify for an associated tax‑levy incentive aid allocation of $60,283. Board members discussed the financial context at length during the meeting — including the district’s use of excess surplus, capital reserve withdrawals and ongoing state funding formula changes — and several trustees said they opposed raising local authority but would submit the application so the district could decide later whether to use any approved authority.

Search‑firm contract: The board approved a proposal for professional services from the New Jersey School Boards Association for an executive search to find the next superintendent. The contract amount is $7,000. The board scheduled an initial presentation next week by the search firm’s representative to explain the timeline and community‑engagement steps.

Votes at a glance
- Acceptance of Superintendent Russell Rogers’ resignation (effective 2025‑08‑01): outcome approved (tally: yes 9, no 0). The resolution thanked Rogers for his service and noted the resignation was submitted “for purposes of retirement.”
- Submission of application for additional expenditures and tax‑levy incentive aid (proposed increase $1,265,950; incentive aid $60,283): outcome approved (tally: yes 8, no 1). Roll call during the April 10 meeting recorded the following votes (as read aloud): Miss Brock — yes; Mr. Semaglia/Smaglia — yes; Mr. Contino — yes; Mr. Fisher — no; Mr. Krauss — yes; Miss Pellet — yes; Mr. Sweeney — yes; Miss Vaccarello — yes; Mr. Zimmerman — yes.
- Professional services agreement with New Jersey School Boards Association for superintendent search ($7,000): approved on the same roll call and tally as the application vote (tally: yes 8, no 1).

What the board said: Trustee Carl Contino described Rogers’ tenure as having steadied the district’s finances and morale during a difficult period, while other trustees emphasized the need to weigh taxpayers’ capacity and to prioritize projects if the district chooses to use additional local authority. One trustee urged a broader community referendum to address large, one‑time facility needs but board members noted such referenda do not address operating‑budget inflation.

Next steps: The board will receive a presentation from the New Jersey School Boards Association on the superintendent‑search process and timeline. If the state commissioner approves any portion of the application for additional expenditures, the board would still need to decide whether to request that authority concretely and — if it proceeds — to adopt a budget in a future public hearing that uses it.","The Vernon Township Board of Education voted on April 10 to accept Superintendent Russell Rogers’ resignation for purposes of retirement effective Aug. 1, 2025, and to proceed with related administrative steps including submitting a state application for increased expenditure authority and hiring a search firm.","actionData","errors"]

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Honeywell outlines $5.5 million ESIP for Vernon schools, projects $316,000 annual energy savings

Vernon board accepts Superintendent Russell Rogers’ retirement; approves application to raise spending authority and hires search firm