Sparta school costs don't compute

To the Editor: This is a letter to the Sparta board of education, Dr. Morton, Mr. Wolfe, and Dr. Monks: Where’s the beef? Oh, I am sorry. I mean, where’s the building? Pope John Regional High School is adding 57,000 square feet to its present facility for $9 million. The Sparta board of education and this administration are spending almost $10 million on “architectural/structural/MEP, development costs, temporary classes and furniture.” This is a quote from page six of the Feb. 16 edition of the Sparta Independent. Again I ask the board of education and the administration, “Where’s the building?” If Pope John can build 57,000 square feet $9 million, then why is it about to cost the Sparta taxpayers about $74 million for 252,000 square feet of new and renovated footage? Something is wrong with this picture! This does not compute. I realize are differences between private school and public school building regulations. However, if you do the math, between $9 million for 57,000 square feet and $74 million for about 252,000 square feet, there is a major difference in money for what we are about to receive. Phillip Seranni Sparta