Voters Decide School Construction Questions in Special Election

Voters headed to the polls for a special election Jan. 24 to decide school construction proposals. One town also had a special school board election to fill the seat of a board member who retired. Statewide, there were four boards of education with construction questions on the ballot. The results below are unofficial and come from the various county clerk offices. Statewide bonding amount proposed: $66,535,266 Statewide bonding approved: $33,361,036 State funding of proposed questions: $18,694,021.70 State funding approved: $18,213,737.70 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.

Burlington County

Riverside Township: The board of education sought authorization from voters to approve two bond proposals. Bond Proposal 1 – APPROVED – The first question sought authorization (a) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades – and to construct an addition at Riverside Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake the replacement of the roof at Riverside Middle School and the replacement of a portion of the roof at Riverside High School, including all related work; (c) to appropriate $15,866,036 for such improvements and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,866,036. The board may offset the amount of bonds to be issued with any state and/or federal funds or grants available at the time of the bond issuance. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey commissioner of education are $10,194,266 (consisting of $6,294,266 for Riverside Elementary School, $1,950,000 for Riverside Middle School and $1,950,000 for Riverside High School). The state debt service aid percentage will equal 70.1104% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. Total bonding amount approved: $15,866,036 State funding: $11,123,741.30 Bond proposal question No. 2 – APPROVED – Voters needed to also approve bond proposal question No. 1 for this proposal to be implemented. The board of education sought authorization to (a) to replace windows at Riverside High School, including any related work; (b) to appropriate $975,000 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $975,000. The board may offset the amount of bonds to be issued with any state and/or federal funds or grants available at the time of the bond issuance. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey commissioner of education are $975,000. The state debt service aid percentage will equal 70.1104% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. Total bonding amount approved: $975,000 State funding: $683,576.40

Hunterdon County

Union Township – APPROVED — The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide for HVAC and electrical service upgrades and installation of safety doors at Union Township Middle School, including acquisition and installation of equipment, site work and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $2,750,000 for such purposes, and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $2,750,000. The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $2,749,399. Total bonding amount approved: $2,750,000 State funding: $1,099,759.60

Middlesex County

South River Borough – The board of education was seeking voter approval of two bond proposals, both of which were rejected. Bond Proposal 1 – REJECTED – The board of education sought authorization to (a) construct an Early Learning Center on land owned by the board of education located between Morningside and Montgomery streets, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades to the athletic facilities at Denny Stadium, including the removal and replacement of the spectator grandstand and restrooms, improvements to the concession stand, and acquisition and installation of any fixtures, equipment and any site work; (c) to appropriate $31,410,950 for such improvements; and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $31,410,950. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education were $1,005,862 (consisting of $1,005,862 for the Early Learning Center and $0 for Denny Stadium). The proposed project included $8,375,088 (consisting of $4,714,138 for the Early Learning Center and $3,660,950 for Denny Stadium) for school facility construction 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 would have been 47.7485% of the annual debt  service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. Total bonding amount proposed: $31,410,950 State funding: $480,284 Bond Proposal 2 – REJECTED – This proposal would have only gone into effect if the first bond proposal was approved by voters. The board of education also sought authorization to (a) acquire and to install a multi-sport athletic turf field at Denny Stadium, including acquisition of any equipment and any site work; (b) to appropriate $1,763,280 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,763,280. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $0. Total bonding amount proposed: $1,763,280 State funding: 0

Monmouth County

Manasquan – APPROVED — The board of education received authorization to (a) provide for renovations, alterations and improvements at Manasquan Elementary School and Manasquan High School, including acquisition and installation of equipment and furnishings, site work and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $13,770,000 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $13,770,000. The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $13,266,651 (with $10,694,466 allocated to Manasquan Elementary School and $2,572,185 allocated to Manasquan High School). The proposed improvements include $298,000 allocated to Manasquan High School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education or not otherwise eligible for state support. Total bonding amount approved: $13,770,000 State funding: $5,306,660.40

Salem County

Lower Alloways Creek: The board of education held a special school board election to fill one seat as a result of the county clerk’s office not having been notified in time prior to the November election that a board member was retiring during the general election timeframe. Voters decided who fills a two-year unexpired term. Joyce S. Massey ran unopposed and received 92 votes, according to unofficial results.