What did the Collingswood school district do on its summer vacation? 

Make much-needed, major repairs at two schools, and add a greenhouse.  

Collingswood High School has new roofing on its cafeteria and its gym entrance. 

"They were leaking and they were old," Superintendent Scott Oswald said of the roofs. 

Replacing the cafeteria roof cost $278,000, and the new roof on the gym entrance cost $136,000, according to the district. 

"Rather than go out for referendum, we're trying to build repairs into our budget," Oswald said.  

The superintendent said construction of a greenhouse at the high school is nearly complete. 

Plumbing, electrical wiring and a concrete walkway leading to the entrance still need to be finished, Oswald said.  

The district is awaiting word on its application to the Lowe's home-improvement chain for a $9,000 grant to offset the cost of the greenhouse, Oswald said at a school-board meeting Monday evening. 

"The greenhouse idea is grounded in our special education department, but it will involve many students—both with and without special needs," Oswald said previously of the project. 

The greenhouse will allow students to grow produce they can sell, as well as contribute to the school's lunch program, district officials said. 

At William P. Tatem Elementary School, the aged asphalt surface of the playground has been replaced, at a cost of $54,000.

"It's in really good shape now," Oswald said. "It was getting to the point where it was becoming pretty dangerous for the kids."