The contract calls for additions and renovations to Dunfee Elementary School and Horbelt Elementary School, and renovations to Collins Elementary School.

The project at Collins Elementary School involves renovations to an 18,128-square-foot area of the 71,000-square-foot one-story facility. The work includes converting three existing classrooms into two new kindergarten classrooms and a group instruction room, and the installation of new heating/air conditioning and telephone/data systems.

Dunfee School, a 38,000-square-foot, one-story facility, will be enlarged by a 20,500-square-foot addition that will include several classrooms, art and music rooms and a gym. The entire existing building will receive a new roof, sprinkler system and telephone/data system, and its mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will be replaced.

A 15,500-square-foot addition to accommodate several classrooms and support areas will be built onto the existing 57,000-square-foot, two-story Horbelt School. Renovations to the existing building will include mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades and new fire-protection and telephone/data systems

The construction contract was awarded to Hessert Corporation at the SDA's August 15 meeting. KSS Architects LLP is the design firm for the project.

Other projects the SDA has under construction in Barnegat include the new Barnegat High School, the Brackman Middle School and the Dr. Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School.

The projects are eligible for SDA management because the district receives more than 55 percent of its budget from state aid and because they received initial approval prior to August 2007. Such districts will manage their own future projects.

The organization has completed 32 new schools and 25 major additions/renovations and nearly 400 health, safety and other projects. Currently, 28 projects are under construction.