Voters Decide Construction Questions, More in March 12 Election

Voters headed to the polls March 12, deciding a number of construction questions, selecting candidates to fill open board seats and more.

Statewide bonding amount proposed: $395,229,061.

Statewide bonding amount approved: $150,488,960.
State funding of proposed questions: $94,856,094.59.

State funding approved: $35,994,339.39.

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.

Statewide, the New Jersey School Boards Association has learned of 10 boards of education with construction proposals on the ballot. Here are the statewide figures and election information gathered from the offices of the county clerks.

Bergen County:

Carlstadt and East Rutherford — The Board of Education of the Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional High School District asked voters to approve three bond proposals. All three proposals were rejected.

Bond Proposal No. 1: — REJECTED — The board sought authorization to (a) construct an addition at Henry P. Becton Regional High School, consisting of STEM labs, hands-on construction and vocational labs, special education facilities, classrooms, bathrooms, offices and related spaces, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) appropriate $29,453,193 for such improvements; and (c) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,453,193. The bonds to be issued would have been payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied upon all taxable property located within, and to be divided proportionally between, the Borough of Carlstadt and the Borough of East Rutherford. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $245,817. The projects included $6,507,358 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 equaled 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $29,453,193.
State funding: $98,326.80.

Bond Proposal Question No. 2: — REJECTED –This bond proposal would have only gone into effect if Bond Proposal Question No. 1 was also approved by the voters at this election. The bonds to be issued would have been payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied upon all taxable property located within, and to have been divided proportionally between, the Borough of Carlstadt and the Borough of East Rutherford.

The board sought authorization to (a) purchase property located at 115 Ann Street, East Rutherford, New Jersey (Block 86, Lot 2), and at that location to construct an addition to Henry P. Becton Regional High School consisting of a new regulation size gymnasium with locker rooms and parking, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades throughout Henry P. Becton Regional High School, including but not limited to the replacement of gym flooring, sound system, auditorium seating and stage, locker room and bathroom renovations and various security upgrades, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) appropriate $12,774,677 for such improvements; and (d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,774,677. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $7,814,677. The projects included $1,229,800 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $12,774,677.
State funding: $3,125,870.80.

Bond Proposal Question No. 3: — REJECTED — This bond proposal would have only gone into effect if Bond Proposal Question No. 1 was also approved by the voters at this election. The bonds to be issued would have been payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied upon all taxable property located within, and to be divided proportionally between, the Borough of Carlstadt and the Borough of East Rutherford.

The board sought authorization to undertake various improvements, alterations and renovations at the annex building located at 160 Paterson Avenue, East Rutherford, New Jersey consisting of the conversion of said annex building into various education and technical spaces, inclusive of a vocational and trades program, classrooms, locker rooms and bathrooms, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) appropriate $7,000,000 for such improvements; and (c) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,000,000. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $0. The projects included $4,800,000 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $7,000,000.
State funding: None.

Fairview – APPROVED – The board of education sought authorization to (a) undertake the construction of a new middle school building for grades 6 through 8 for the school district, including all work and materials necessary therefor or incidental thereto, and more particularly described as an approximately 91,334 square foot, four story building within which will be situated approximately 24 general classrooms, three small group instructional classrooms, four science labs, music and art classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, media center, student lounges, school main offices, guidance offices, CST offices, nurse’s office, faculty work rooms, school district office space, support space and onsite parking in support of the project (collectively, the “project”); (b) to spend for the project, a total amount not exceeding $60,000,000 (including the sum of $35,000,000 currently available in capital reserve funds); and(c) to issue bonds and/or notes of the school district for the portion of the project to be financed, in a principal amount not exceeding $25,000,000.The approved state aid for school facilities projects is in the form of annual state debt service aid, with the amount of such annual state aid to be 61.6904% of eligible costs, which have been determined to be $10,842,546. The average assessed home value in the Borough of Fairview, New Jersey is $466,924 which translates into an average tax impact of $396 per year, over 25 years, based on the average assessed home as verified by the Board’s auditor.

Total bonding proposed: $25,000,000.
State funding: $6,688,810.

Little Ferry – APPROVED – The board of education sought authorization to (a) provide for construction of a new school on land owned by the board of education located on the site of the former Washington School, including acquisition and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment, site work and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $37,899,700 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $37,899,700.

The final eligible costs of the project approved by the commissioner of education are $4,733,014. The project includes $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 project.

Total bonding proposed: $37,899,700.
State funding: $1,893,205.60.

Burlington County

Palmyra – APPROVED – The board of education sought authorization to a) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Charles Street School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; b) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, and to construct an addition at Palmyra High School, including a new parking lot, the replacement of the track and related areas, and the acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; c) appropriate $18,437,674 for such improvements; and d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,437,674. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $16,269,366 (consisting of $7,885,663 for Charles Street School and $8,383,703 for Palmyra High School). The projects include $1,554,114 (consisting of $0 for Charles Street School and $1,554,114 for Palmyra High School) 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 will equal 42.3337% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $18,437,674.
State funding: $6,887,424.59.

Camden County

Haddon Township – APPROVED – The board of education sought  authorization to a) undertake for lawful school purposes a capital  improvement program consisting of: (i) various safety and access improvements at the Haddon Township High School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including renovations to the Paul Gilligan Media Center, drainage improvements to address water intrusion, renovations and upgrades to various classrooms and auditorium spaces, renovations of locker rooms, bathroom and training areas, replacement of stadium field with artificial turf and stadium bleacher and lighting upgrades, renovation of auto shop spaces, refinishing of gym floor, courtyard upgrades, plumbing and building system upgrades and related site work; (ii) various safety and access improvements at the Rohrer Middle School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including reconstruction of tennis courts, renovations and upgrades to various classrooms and gymnasium, construction of counseling center, replacement of school roof, replacement of mechanical, sewer ejector, and air handling units, replacement of boiler and chiller plant, plumbing and building system upgrades and other related site work; (iii) various drainage improvements at the Recchino Athletic Facility, together with the completion of various other improvements, including installation of ADA compliant ramps and walkways and soil augmentation; (iv) various renovations and upgrades to classrooms at the Van Sciver Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including building interior and exterior renovations, replacement of multipurpose room flooring, roadway repaving and resurfacing for parking improvements, replacement of mechanical and ventilation units, and plumbing upgrades; (v) various renovations and upgrades to classrooms at the Strawbridge Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including building interior and exterior renovations, replacement of multi-purpose room flooring, replacement of mechanical and ventilation units, plumbing and building system upgrades and related site work; (vi) various renovations and upgrades to classrooms at the Jennings Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including building interior and exterior renovations, courtyard improvements, replacement of multipurpose room flooring, water intrusion prevention, and plumbing upgrades; (vii) various renovations and upgrades to classrooms at the Edison Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including building interior renovations, replacement of multi-purpose room flooring, replacement of mechanical and ventilation units, and plumbing and building system upgrades; (viii) various renovations and upgrades to classrooms at the Stoy Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including building interior renovations, replacement of multi-purpose room flooring, and plumbing upgrades; and (ix) the completion of such other work and improvements, and acquisition of furniture, fixtures and equipment as may be necessary therefor or related to the completion of the projects set forth above; (b) expend for all the foregoing an amount not to exceed $30,584,288 ($23,293,172 of which represents eligible costs as determined by the commissioner of education; and (c) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $30,584,288 in which event the state will pay approximately 40% of the debt service (principal and interest) of the school bonds issued to finance the final eligible costs; and (d) transfer unexpended bond proceeds between said school facility projects. This school facilities project includes $7,291,116 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facility efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education or that are not otherwise eligible for state support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g).

Total bonding proposed: $30,584,288.
State funding: $9,317,268.80.

Essex County

Roseland – APPROVED — The board of education sought authorization to (a) to provide for an addition, renovations, alterations and improvements at Lester Noecker School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $12,520,022 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $12,520,022.

The final eligible costs of these projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the commissioner of education are $4,538,755.  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.

Total bonding proposed: $12,520,022.
State funding: $1,815,502.

Hudson County

East Newark: Voters were being asked to select who will fill two open seats on the board of education. One seat is for a two-and-a-half-year term and the other is for a one-and-a-half-year term. There were no names listed on the ballot, so voters wrote in names of their choice. According to published reports, Lisa Ditchkus and Midia Guerrero were the two write-in winners.

Mercer County

Robbinsville – APPROVED — The board of education sought approval from the district’s legal voters to raise an additional $2,750,000.00 for the 2024/25 school year as permitted under 18A:22-40 for the following purposes:

• Maintain teachers and instructional assistants.
• Maintain current programs.
• Maintain facilities.
• Maintain current level of courtesy bussing.
• Maintain current level of funding for athletics and co-curricular activities.

Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the district’s tax levy.

Monmouth County

Tinton Falls: Voters were to select who gets to fill one vacant seat on the board of education.

There were two candidates listed on the ballot: Sophia Lent and Eileen Dowling. Voters could also write in a candidate of their choice. At the time of publication, Lent had 14 votes versus Dowling’s 13 votes.

Morris County

Boonton Township – REJECTED – The board of education sought authorization to a) undertake various improvements, alterations renovations and upgrades, and to construct an addition and exterior canopies at Rockaway Valley School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work and; b) to appropriate $15,088,554 for such improvements; and c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,088,554. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $14,070,854. The projects included $526,955 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $15,088,554.
State funding: $5,628,341.60.

The West Morris Regional High School District – APPROVED – asked voters in Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and Washington Township for authorization to a) provide for the renovations, alterations and improvements at Central High School and Mendham High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; b) to appropriate $26,047,276 for such purposes and; c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $26,047,276. The final eligible costs of these projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the commissioner of education are $23,480,321 (with $10,550,579 allocated to Central High School and $12,929742 allocated to Mendham High School.) The proposed improvements include $1,282,838 allocated to Central High School and $1,284,117 allocated to Mendham High 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.

Total bonding proposed: $26,047,276.
State funding: $9,392,128.40.

Passaic County

Wayne Township – REJECTED — The board of education sought authorization to (a) provide for renovations, alterations and improvements at Wayne Valley High School, Wayne Hills High School, Anthony Wayne Middle School, George Washington Middle School, Schuyler-Colfax Middle School, Albert Payson Terhune Elementary School, James Fallon Elementary School, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Lafayette Elementary School, Packanack Elementary School, Pines Lake Elementary School, Randall Carter Elementary School, Ryerson Elementary School, Theunis Dey Elementary School and Preakness Early Childhood Center and construction of a new school at Preakness Early Childhood Center, including acquisition and installation of equipment and furnishings, site work and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $169,766,677 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $169,766,677.

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $114,662,664 (with $18,259,656 allocated to Wayne Valley High School, $27,609,015 allocated to Wayne Hills High School, $14,530,499 allocated to Anthony Wayne Middle School, $7,531,041 allocated to George Washington Middle School, $7,418,675 allocated to Schuyler-Colfax Middle School, $2,838,573 allocated to Albert Payson Terhune Elementary School, $3,577,918 allocated to James Fallon Elementary School, $2,230,289 allocated to John F. Kennedy Elementary School, $4,042,520 allocated to Lafayette Elementary School, $7,027,705 allocated to Packanack Elementary School, $5,192,503 allocated to Pines Lake Elementary School, $1,623,284 allocated to Randall Carter Elementary School, $3,365,342 allocated to Ryerson Elementary School, $2,811,584 allocated to Theunis Dey Elementary School and $6,604,060 allocated to Preakness Early Childhood Center). The proposed improvements included $7,423,648 allocated to Wayne Valley High School and $6,02 3,240 allocated to Wayne Hills High 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- S(g). The state debt service aid percentage would have been 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $169,766,677.
State funding: $45,865,065.60.

Warren County

Greenwich Township: The board of education asked voters to approve three bond proposals. All three were rejected.

Bond Proposal 1 – REJECTED — The board sought authorization to a) undertake the replacement of the HVAC system controller and water heater at Greenwich Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment and any site work; b) undertake the replacement of various unit ventilators and a geothermal pump, the replacement of various HVAC units throughout the school, the replacement of various interior and exterior doors, and the replacement of the roof for Stewartsville Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; c) appropriate $6,044,000 for such improvements; and d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,044,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $6,044,000 (consisting of $161,000 for Greenwich Elementary School and $5,883,000 for Stewartsville Middle School). The projects include $0 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $6,044,000.
State funding: $2,417,600.

Bond Proposal 2 – REJECTED – This bond proposal would have only gone into effect if Bond Proposal Question No. 1 was approved by the voters. Therefore, if Bond Proposal Question No. 2 had been approved, these projects and the associated costs would have been in addition to the projects and costs described in Bond Proposal Question No. 1.

The board sought authorization to a) undertake various additional improvements, renovations and upgrades at Greenwich Elementary School, including but not limited to the replacement of the roof, the replacement various flooring and walls of various classrooms and facilities, the replacement of the generator, the replacement of various interior and exterior doors throughout the school, repaving, and the installation of a new public address system, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; b) undertake various additional improvements, renovations and upgrades at Stewartsville Middle School including but not limited to the installation of a security vestibule and security film at the main entrance, the replacement of corridor ceilings, the replacement of an exterior ramp and steps, the installation of a new public address system, and the landscaping of school grounds, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) appropriate $3,182,000 for such improvements; and (d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,182,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $3,182,000 (consisting of $2,617,000 for Greenwich Elementary School and $565,000 for Stewartsville Middle School) The projects included $0 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $3,182,000.
State funding: $1,272,800.

Bond Proposal 3 – REJECTED – This bond proposal would have only gone into effect if Bond Proposal Question No. 1 and Bond Proposal Question No. 2 had been approved by the voters. Therefore, if Bond Proposal Question No. 3 had been approved, these projects and the associated costs would have been in addition to the projects and costs described in Bond Proposal Question No. 1 and Bond Proposal Question No. 2.

The board of education sought authorization to a) undertake various additional improvements, renovations and upgrades at Greenwich Elementary School, including but not limited to upgrades to technology systems and classrooms, and the repaving of various school parking lots, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) undertake various additional improvements, renovations and upgrades at Stewartsville Middle School including but not limited to upgrades to technology systems and classrooms, the repaving of various school parking lots, and the renovation of toilet rooms, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) appropriate $1,431,000 for such improvements; and (d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,431,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education were $1,134,376 (consisting of $403,333 for Greenwich Elementary School and $731,043 for Stewartsville Middle School). The projects included $296,624 (consisting of $146,667 for Greenwich Elementary School and $149,957 for Stewartsville Middle School) 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  40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $1,431,000.
State funding: $453,750.40.