Dear Arthur Rann Staff, Parents, and Students,
As we conclude the 2025-2026 school year, I am writing to provide an end-of-the-year summary and update regarding the Arthur Rann Elementary School and to express my deepest gratitude to our extraordinary community.
This school year has tested our school community's collective resilience in ways we could never have anticipated. Following the initial fire on January 26, 2026, and the subsequent additional fire incidents on February 23, 2026, our entire school district was forced to pivot overnight. The rapid response of the Galloway Township Police and Fire Departments from Bayview, Oceanville, and Pomona successfully contained these fires and ultimately prevented further catastrophe.
While following the advice of our Industrial Hygienist, Hillmann Consulting, and working alongside our Joint Insurance Fund, adjusters, and AllRisk, we implemented a comprehensive relocation plan to ensure that student attendance could resume safely to adhere to the State of New Jersey’s 180-day requirement. I want to commend our students, staff, and families for adapting to their temporary homes across the district, with our preschoolers at Roland Rogers Elementary School, our Kindergarten through 3rd graders (and two 4th grade sections) at Galloway Township Middle School, and our remaining 4th through 6th graders at Pomona School.
Remediation and Rebuild Progress
As mentioned earlier this year, the fire chief and fire marshal determined that the source of the fires was caused by the newly installed HVAC units from last summer. Under the organization of the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) legal counsel, all 14 newly installed HVAC units were safely removed from the building on March 30th and taken off-site to a warehouse for a full forensic investigation.
While recovery, remediation, and rebuild efforts, led by AllRisk, have been occurring around the clock, as of June 8, 2026, I am pleased to share that approximately 80% of the Arthur Rann Elementary School has been fully remediated and cleared by Hillmann Consulting. The rear of the building (grades 4-6 area), the middle hallway (grade 3, special rooms, and the nurse's office), and the gymnasium spaces have been thoroughly tested and officially cleared. Structural rebuilding began last week in the back portion of the building, including the replacement of insulation, ceiling tiles, and insulated ductwork.
Remediation is currently being finalized in the front hallway, main offices, faculty lounge, bathrooms, and administrative spaces. Regrettably, Hillmann Consulting affirmed that our school library was a complete loss, similar to the classrooms that were source rooms to the fire. We are actively collaborating with Follett to replace our entire book collection and working to purchase all-new furniture for that space, a massive undertaking that is being expedited thanks to our dedicated media specialists, administration, and facilities department.
Looking Ahead to the 2026-2027 School Year
While the remediation efforts are highly promising, a project of this scale has many moving parts. Because of this, the district still cannot guarantee a concrete timeline, and it is not yet possible to confirm if Arthur Rann will be fully operational for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
As I have shared throughout this process, our district refuses to "overpromise and under-deliver" when it comes to the safety of our children and staff. Therefore, I strongly encourage all staff members and parents to closely monitor your email and the district's social media throughout the summer months. As definitive updates become available, they will be shared with the Arthur Rann school community immediately. All historical communications and frequently asked questions continue to remain accessible via the Online Backpack on our district website.
A Message of Direct Thanks
Situations of this magnitude only succeed when an entire community unites. I would like to extend a very special, direct thank you to the following groups and partners who carried us through this transition:
The Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District: When our staff requested a transition from temporary folding tables to support prolonged instructional needs, Greater Egg Harbor generously loaned us approximately 250 individual student desks, and their facilities team worked hand in hand with our Galloway facilities crew to complete the daunting task of moving them.
Our Emergency Services & Recovery Partners: The Galloway Township Police and Fire Departments, Hillmann Consulting, AllRisk, and the legal and adjusting teams through the Joint Insurance Fund.
Our District Teams: The Galloway Township Board of Education, Town Council, and Public Works; Integrity Transportation for safely managing our multi-tier sequencing and shuttle systems; and our internal Business Office, Central Office, Facilities and Maintenance crews, Technology Team, and Food Service staff.
Our Community & Families: The Arthur Rann Family School Association (FSA) and local community partners and citizens who showered our displaced students and staff with donations and support.
Our Galloway Host Schools: The administrative teams, staff, and students of Roland Rogers Elementary School and GTMS, who opened their classrooms and hallways to share their spaces without hesitation.
The Arthur Rann Staff and Students: To our entire Arthur Rann staff, thank you for keeping stability. While the brick and mortar of a school is important, it is our staff and school community who build and maintain a positive school climate and culture. Regardless of your location, you exceeded expectations in all facets of our Arthur Rann students' lives. And to our beloved Arthur Rann Dragons, you have shown the true meaning of courage and adaptability this year, which did not go unnoticed. As one sign read in the Pomona School, “this is temporary, your potential is permanent.”
As I have shared from the beginning, we will continue to take this one minute, one hour, and one day at a time, until we can safely return our Arthur Rann Dragons to their true home school.
Thank you for your continued patience, trust, and understanding. Have a wonderful, safe, and restful summer break.
With respect and gratitude,
Mr. Stephen Santilli, Superintendent of Schools
Galloway Township School District
#ArthurRannSTRONG