Voters will head to the polls for a special election on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to decide various school construction proposals.

Statewide, the New Jersey School Boards Association has learned of three boards of education with construction questions on the ballot.

Statewide bonding amount proposed: $129,653,825.
State funding of proposed questions: $27,340,641.60.

Under the Educational Facilities and Construction and Financing Act of 2000, the state will fund at least 40% of eligible school construction costs through annual debt service aid.

Here are the statewide figures gathered from the offices of the county clerks.

Gloucester County

Pitman: The board of education has two bond proposal questions on the ballot.

Bond proposal 1: The board of education is seeking authorization to undertake various improvements to Pitman elementary school, including but not limited to boiler and heat infrastructure replacement, including any related upgrades and various renovations and upgrades to multi-use toilet rooms, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work and b) to undertake various improvements to Pitman Junior/Senior High school, including but not limited to the partial roof replacement, the regrading and repaving of the parking lot, the reconstruction of the existing running track and various drainage repairs throughout the property, including any site work and c) to appropriate $14,220,000 for such improvements and d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $14,220,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $14,220,000 (consisting of $10,745,000 for Pitman Elementary School and $3,475,000 for Pitman Junior/Senior High School). The state debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Bonding amount proposed: $14,220,000.
State funding: $5,688,000.

Bond proposal 2: This bond proposal will only go into effect if the first bond proposal is also approved by voters.

The board of education is also seeking authorization to a) undertake various improvements to Pitman Elementary school, including but not limited to the installation of various HVAC upgrades, including any related upgrades; b) to undertake various improvements to Pitman Junior/Senior High School, including acquisition and installation of figures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and c) to appropriate $7,032,000 for such improvements and d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,032,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $7,032,000 (consisting of $6,782,000 for Pitman Elementary School and $250,000 for Pitman Junior/Senior High School). The state debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Bonding amount proposed: $7,032,000.
State funding: $2,812,800.

Mercer County

Princeton: The board of education has three bond proposal questions on the ballot.

Bond proposal 1: The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide HVAC renovations, alterations and improvements at Princeton High School and additions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Community Park School, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work; (b) to appropriate $37,905,000 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district for such purposes in the principal amount of $37,905,000. 

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $22,014,414 (with $16,400,000 allocated to Princeton High School and $5,614,414 allocated to Community Park School). The proposed improvements include $2,789,930 allocated to Community Park School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education or not otherwise eligible for state support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g).  The state debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects

Bonding amount proposed: $37,905,000. 
State funding: $8,805,765.60.

Bond proposal 2: This bond proposal would only go into effect if both the first bond proposal and this bond proposal are approved by the voters.

The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide additional renovations, alterations and improvements at Princeton High School and additions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Princeton Middle School, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work; (b) to appropriate $38,300,000 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district for such purposes in the principal amount of $38,300,000. 

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $12,610,896 (with $3,050,000 allocated to Princeton High School and $9,560,896 allocated to Princeton Middle School). The proposed improvements include $4,290,000 allocated to Princeton Middle School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education or not otherwise eligible for state support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The state debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The board of education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this special election. 

Bonding amount proposed: $38,300,000.
State funding: $5,044,358.40.

Bond proposal 3: This bond proposal will only go into effect if the first two bond proposals are also approved by voters.

The board of education is also seeking authorization to (a) provide additions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Littlebrook Elementary School, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work; (b) to appropriate $12,915,000 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district for such purposes in the principal amount of $12,915,000. 

The final eligible costs of these projects approved by the commissioner of education are $2,509,989. The proposed improvements include $2,315,950 for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education or not otherwise eligible for state support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g).  The state debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the project.

Bonding amount proposed: $12,915,000.
State funding: $1,003,995.60

If all three bond proposals are approved by the voters at this election, the board of education will be authorized to undertake school capital projects for a total cost of $89,120,000 and to issue bonds in the total principal amount of $89,120,000 to fund the projects. 

Morris County

Mendham Borough: The board of education has two bond proposal questions on the ballot.

Bond proposal 1: The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide for renovations, alterations and improvements at Mountain View Middle School and Hilltop Elementary School, including acquisition and installations of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related works and costs: (b) to appropriate $9,964,305 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $9,964,305.

The final eligible costs of these projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the commissioner of education are $9,964,305 (with $7,115,355 allocated to Mountain View Middle School and $2,848,950 allocated to Hilltop Elementary School). The projects include $0 for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education or not otherwise eligible for state support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The state debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Bonding amount proposed: $9,964,305.
State funding: $3,985,722.

Bond proposal 2: This bond proposal will only go into effect if the first bond proposal question is also approved by voters.

The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide for the construction of an auditorium addition at Mountain View Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $9,317,520 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefor in the principal amount of $9,317,520.

The final eligible costs of the projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the commissioner of Education are $0.

Bonding amount proposed: $9,317,520.
State funding: None.

Stay tuned to future issues of School Board Notes, which will report results as they become available.