Voters Approve $116 Million in School Construction
This article was originally published in School Board Notes on March 11, 2014.
Voters in 11 of 13 New Jersey school districts holding a bond referendum on March 11 approved a total of $116.1 million in school construction. Of the amount approved, $50.1 million is eligible for state school-construction aid.
The proceeds will fund items ranging from roof replacements to energy system upgrades and security improvements. Many of the districts will be building new school vestibules, or installing new interior doors, to upgrade school security.
The total amount requested among the 13 districts was $180,037,025; with $80,077,346 of that eligible for state funding. Voters in Absecon, Wallington, Mount Holly, Ocean City, Verona, Clinton-Glen Gardner, Middletown, Long Hill Township, Bloomingdale, Mountainside and Mansfield approved local school construction proposals, while voters rejected proposals in Greater Egg Harbor Regional and Glassboro.
The second Tuesday in March is one of five dates during the year at which a school district can present construction bond issues to voters. The next date when districts can put a referendum on the ballot is Sept. 30. Districts that have April budget elections may also place construction proposals on the ballot on that date (April 23).
New Jersey School Construction Referenda, Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Total amount approved: $116,138,575
Amount eligible for state funding: $50,138,941
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Absecon – APPROVED
Various improvements to H. Ashton Marsh and Emma C. Attales Schools; plus necessary furniture and equipment, and site work.
Total amount: $5,210,497
Amount eligible for state funding: $2,084,198
Greater Egg Harbor Regional – REJECTED
Renovations to three high schools, plus acquisition of necessary furniture and equipment, and site work.
Total amount: $36,998,000
Amount eligible for state funding: $17,305,111
BERGEN COUNTY
Wallington – APPROVED
Interior door replacement, for school safety upgrade, at two schools; plus masonry replacement, partial roof replacement, interior painting.
Total amount approved: $2,617,959
Amount eligible for state funding: $1,473,838
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Mount Holly – APPROVED
Installation of security doors, partial roof replacement, HVAC replacement and fire system replacement, and other improvements at three schools; plus acquisition of furniture, fixtures and equipment as may be necessary or related.
Total amount approved: $20,479,526
Total eligible for state funding: $12,540,209
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Ocean City – APPROVED
Improvements and renovations to Ocean City Primary School, including acquisition of equipment and site work. Of the total project cost, $1,101,497 would come from school district capital reserves.
Total amount approved: $5,998,198
Total eligible for state funding: $2,497,422
ESSEX COUNTY
Verona – APPROVED
Security, technology, fire alarm and other upgrades at six schools; plus various gym bleacher upgrades, façade upgrades; and necessary equipment and site work.
Total amount approved: $16,641,855
Total eligible for state funding: $5,199,644
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Glassboro– REJECTED
Upgrade security, mechanical, electrical and other systems at five schools, plus music room renovation and conversion of space into a performing arts theater at Glassboro High School. Also, various classroom technology improvements, roof repairs, playground restoration, and acquisition of necessary furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Total amount: $26,900,450
Amount eligible for state funding: $12,633,294
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Clinton-Glen Gardner School District – APPROVED
Roof, HVAC and fire alarm system replacement.
Total amount approved: $2,104,250
Total eligible for state funding: $841,700
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Middletown – APPROVED
Upgrade geothermal systems at the high schools and middle schools, and replace roofs at high schools, middle schools and 10 elementary schools.
Total amount approved: $32,299,832
Amount eligible for state funding: $12,919,933
MORRIS COUNTY
Long Hill Township – APPROVED
HVAC upgrades at three schools, plus partial roof replacement at Millington Elementary School. Part of project financed with $500,000 of district capital reserves.
Total amount approved: $3,274,530
Amount eligible for state funding: $1,309,812
PASSAIC COUNTY
Bloomingdale – APPROVED
Various improvements and renovations to Martha Day Elementary and Walter Bergen Middle schools.
Total amount approved: $1,341,950
Amount eligible for state funding: $536,780
UNION COUNTY
Mountainside – APPROVED
Educational and physical plant renovations at Deerfield and Beechwood schools, including security and technology improvements. Work to include new secure entry vestibules; improvements of plumbing, electrical, lighting, heating, IT/AV systems; Deerfield School media center and locker room facilities renovations.
Total amount approved: $19,484,628
Amount eligible for state funding: $7,793,851
WARREN COUNTY
Mansfield – APPROVED
HVAC, boiler, lighting, roof, fire alarm, kitchen and other upgrades; plus front entrance security improvements and construction of a new maintenance/storage building.
Total amount approved: $6,685,350
Amount eligible for state funding: $2,941,554