TRENTON, September 25, 2017—Voters in 15 New Jersey school districts will go to the polls tomorrow to act on more than $320 million in school construction and renovation projects, including new classrooms, technology and security upgrades, and health and safety improvements.

Several of the proposals feature multiple questions.

A total of $321,265,385 in construction will appear on ballots in eight counties. Most, if approved, would receive state funding to cover part of the cost. Under the Educational Facilities and Construction and Financing Act of 2000, the state will fund at least 40 percent of eligible school construction costs through annual debt service aid.

The last Tuesday in September is one of five dates on which a school board may propose a bond issue to voters. For the remainder of 2017, construction proposals may be placed on the November General Election ballot (for those districts that elect school board members in November) and in December.

A district-by-district summary of the special elections is as follows:

STATEWIDE

Total amount proposed – $321,265,385

Proposed eligible costs – $212,953,701

State funds – $93,448,336 (State reimbursement through annual debt service aid equaling at least 40% of eligible costs)

 

BERGEN COUNTY

 

CRESSKILL

Planning, design and construction of additional classrooms at Edward H. Bryan School, plus window and roof replacements, technology and security upgrades at various schools.

Total amount: $12,446,400

State funds: $2,906,540

 

BURLINGTON COUNTY

MEDFORD LAKES

Renovations, upgrades and improvements, including security upgrades and acquisition and/or installation of new technology equipment.

Total amount: $2,994,719

State funds: $1,121,075

 

SHAMONG

Renovations, alterations and improvements to two schools.

Total amount: $4,913,000

State funds: $1,884,956

 

MERCER COUNTY

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

Security system upgrades, health, safety and code-required renovations, and alterations and improvements at 24 schools.

Total amount: $55,393,658

State funds: $22,157,463

 

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

MIDDLESEX BOROUGH

Three separate proposals, calling for renovations, upgrades and expansion designed to centralize and update school facilities, and reconfigure grades. Proposals 2 and 3 can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Total Amount (all proposals): $50,585,009

State Funds: $10,012,955

Proposal 1:

Renovations, upgrades and expansion of Watchung Elementary School to provide a Grades 2-5 school, and renovation of Von E. Mauger Middle School to provide a Grades 6-8 facility and administrative space.

Amount: $31,586,295

State funds: $5,531,849

Proposal 2:

Renovations, upgrades and expansion of Hazelwood Elementary School to provide a Grades Pre-K-1 school, and closure of Parker Elementary School. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Amount: $11,028,397

State funds: $1,292,989

Proposal 3:

Renovations and upgrades to the high school to convert offices to classrooms, upgrade science and STEM labs, classrooms, athletic space, cafeteria and other facilities. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Amount: $7,970,317

State funds: $3,188,126

 

SPOTSWOOD

Safety and security upgrades, HVAC and classroom upgrades, and installation of emergency generators at various schools. The board anticipates using prior bond funds toward its debt service obligations, resulting in no new tax dollars being raised to fund the project.

Total amount: $1,734,405

State funds: $693,762

 

MONMOUTH COUNTY

FARMINGDALE

Security, safety, health and facility upgrades including school entry security upgrade and renovations, interior and exterior door replacements, roof and window replacement, HVAC and other system replacement with energy efficient systems, other upgrades.

Total amount: $4,814,615

State funds: $1,922,466

 

HOLMDEL

Construction of an addition at Holmdel High School and William R. Satz Middle School, including acquisition of land, plus renovation, alterations and improvements at all four district schools.

Total amount: $40,318,000

State funds: $9,530,100

 

MARLBORO

Renovations, alterations and improvements to six schools.

Total amount: $26,300,000

State funds: $10,520,000

 

TINTON FALLS

Renovations, alterations and improvements at three schools.

Total amount: $32,499,000

State funds: $12,999,600

 

UPPER FREEHOLD REGIONAL

Roof replacements, solar electricity generation installations, a new generator installation at Newell Elementary School, and roof replacements, solar electricity generation installations and audotirum renovations at Allentown High School.

Total amount: $9,959,815

State funds: $3,983,926

 

MORRIS COUNTY

MOUNTAIN LAKES

Five separate proposals covering renovations, improvements, construction and other improvements at three schools. Proposal 1 must be approved for other proposals to be approved. Proposals 1 and 3 must be approved for Proposal 4 to be approved.

Total amount: $24,397,465

State funds: $3,951,179

Proposal 1

Renovations, construction and conversions of space at Wildwood Elementary, Briarcliff Middle and Mountain Lakes High School. Includes constructing a new cafeteria at Wildwood, converting rooms to a science classroom and “makerspace” at Briarcliff, renovating cafeteria and auditorium at the high school, and more.

Total amount: $17,216,215

State funds: $3,301,179

Proposal 2

Construction of new band room, art room and media center at Wildwood Elementary School, plus conversion of former media center into a tech lab/makerspace, and more. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Total amount: $2,550,000

State funds: $438,000

Proposal 3

Construction of health and wellness center at high school, to include locker rooms, restrooms, vestibule and corridor; conversion of middle school locker room to a band room; and more. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Total amount: $2,258,700

State funds: $116,000

Proposal 4

Construction of weight room as part of the health and wellness center at Mountain Lakes High School. Can be approved only if Proposals 1 and 3 are approved.

Total amount: $1,152,550

Proposal 5

Construction of expanded choral room and stagecraft area at Mountain Lakes High School, and any necessary related improvements and improvements. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Total amount: $1,220,000

State funds: $96,000

 

MONTVILLE

Three separate proposals covering district-wide renovations and improvements. Proposal 1 must be approved for Proposals 2 and/or 3 to be approved.

Total amount: $17,605,887

State funds: $7,042,354

Proposal 1

District-wide HVAS renovations, restroom renovations, roof replacement at three schools, and media center renovations at all elementary schools and Lazar Middle School.

Total amount: $11,172,832

State funds: $4,469,132

Proposal 2

District-wide all-purpose room gymnasium renovations. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Total amount: $3,014,355

State funds: $1,205,742

Proposal 3

District-wide HVAC improvements and upgrades, including air conditioning. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.

Total amount: $3,418,700

State funds: $1,367,480

 

OCEAN COUNTY

LONG BEACH ISLAND CONSOLIDATED

Two-part proposal for an addition and renovations to Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School. Proceeds received from the sale of Long Beach Island Grade School shall be used to pay direct costs of the project and reduce the bond authorization, or shall be transferred to the debt service fund to pay principal of obligations issued under the bond proposal. Proposal 1 must be approved for Proposal 2 to be approved.

Total amount: $18,353,411

State funds: $1,626,382

Proposal 1

Construction of addition to Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School consisting of classrooms, a gymnasium and offices.

Total amount: $14,579,176

State funds: $116,688

Proposal 2

Renovations, alterations and improvements to Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School.

Total amount: $3,774,235

State funds: $1,509,694

 

SUSSEX COUNTY

NEWTON

Renovations and expansion of Merriam Avenue School, to create various new education instruction spaces in preparation for planned closure of the Halsted Middle School. Merriam Avenue School will be reconfigured into a grades Pre-K-8 school.

Total amount:$18,950,001

State funds: $3,095,578

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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of the state’s local boards of education and includes the majority of New Jersey’s charter schools as associate members. NJSBA provides training, advocacy and support to advance public education and promote the achievement of all students through effective governance.