Voters in nine New Jersey school districts approved a total $185,030,899 in school construction and renovation projects in special elections held yesterday. A total of 15 New Jersey school districts went to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 26, voting on more than $320 million in construction including new classrooms, technology and security upgrades, and health and safety improvements.
Several of the proposals featured multiple questions.
A total of $321,265,385 in construction appeared 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.
Several of the proposals featured multiple questions, which allowed voters to choose all or part of a construction project. Only one of those, in Mountain Lakes, resulted in split results, where the largest portion of the project was approved, but four smaller projects were rejected.
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
Total amount approved: $185,030,899
Total state funds proposed: $93,448,336 (State reimbursement through annual debt service aid equaling at least 40% of eligible costs)
Total state funds approved: $62,438,420
BERGEN COUNTY
CRESSKILL – Approved
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 – Approved
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 – Rejected
Renovations, alterations and improvements to two schools.
Total amount: $4,913,000
State funds: $1,884,956
MERCER COUNTY
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – Approved
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 – Rejected
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: (Rejected)
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: (Rejected)
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: (Rejected)
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 – Approved
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 – Approved
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 – Approved
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 – Rejected
Renovations, alterations and improvements to six schools.
Total amount: $26,300,000
State funds: $10,520,000
TINTON FALLS – Approved
Renovations, alterations and improvements at three schools.
Total amount: $32,499,000
State funds: $12,999,600
UPPER FREEHOLD REGIONAL – Rejected
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 – One proposal approved, four rejected
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: (Approved)
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: (Rejected)
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: (Rejected)
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: (Rejected)
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: (Rejected)
Construction of expanded choral room and stagecraft area at Mountain Lakes High School, and any necessary related improvements. Can be approved only if Proposal 1 is approved.
Total amount: $1,220,000
State funds: $96,000
MONTVILLE – Approved
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: (Approved)
District-wide HVAC 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: (Approved)
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: (Approved)
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 – Rejected
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: (Rejected)
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: (Rejected)
Renovations, alterations and improvements to Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School.
Total amount: $3,774,235
State funds: $1,509,694
SUSSEX COUNTY
NEWTON – Rejected
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