Voters to Determine Fate of Construction Projects in Special Election

Voters will head to the polls for a special election Jan. 25 to decide various school construction proposals.

There are 10 boards of education with construction questions on the ballot.

Statewide amount proposed: $394,989,530
State funding of proposed questions: $57,683,267

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.

School Construction Proposals

Bergen County

Franklin Lakes Borough:  The Franklin Lakes Borough Board of Education is seeking to undertake the following improvements (including related work and equipment): Franklin Avenue Middle School, High Mountain Road Elementary School and Woodside Avenue Elementary School — replacement of roofs, windows, unit ventilators and associated heating, ventilation and air conditioning  systems, roof-top HVAC units and boilers and associated systems (High Mountain Road Elementary School only); and Colonial Road Elementary School — replacement of roofs.

The commissioner of education has determined that the final eligible costs of the project are $20,916,025, which has been allocated as follows: Franklin Avenue M.S. project — $6,461,325; High Mountain Road E.S. project — $5,965,700; Woodside Avenue E.S. project — $5,733,000; and Colonial Road E.S. project — $2,756,000. The state, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-9, has approved debt service aid equal to 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs. The district may transfer a portion of the proposed local share cost of one project to another under circumstances permitted by statute.

Total amount proposed: $20,916,025
State funding: $8,366,410

Cresskill: The Cresskill Board of Education is seeking authorization to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs, and upgrades at Cresskill Middle/High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the state commissioner of education are $21,663,200. The project includes $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 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.

Total amount proposed: $21,663,200
State funding: $8,665,280

Burlington County

Westampton: Two proposals; Proposal 2 can only be approved if Proposal 1 is approved.

Proposal 1: The Westampton Board of Education is asking voters to authorize it to undertake a capital improvement program consisting of improvements to the HVAC and electrical systems at the Westampton Township Middle School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including construction of new classrooms, building interior and exterior renovations, plumbing and operating system upgrades and related site work; and improvements to the HVAC and electrical systems at the Holly Hills Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including construction of new classroom and library, building interior and exterior renovations, plumbing and operating system upgrades and related site work.  The board will expend an amount not to exceed $21,911,457, of which: (i) $15,597,591 represents eligible costs, as determined by the commissioner of education; and (ii) $800,000 represents Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds received by the district pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act, to pay for a portion of the HVAC improvements described above. It will issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $20,323,957, in which event the state will pay approximately 40% of the debt service (principal and interest) of the school bonds issued to finance the Proposal I final eligible costs; utilize $787,500 from the school district’s capital reserve account to fund a portion of the project costs; and transfer unexpended bond proceeds between said school facility projects. This school facilities project includes $4,726,366 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 amount proposed: $20,323,957
State funding: $8,129,583

Proposal 2:  If Proposal 1 is approved by the voters, the school district is also authorized to undertake a capital improvement program consisting of: renovations to the gymnasium at the Westampton Township Middle School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including interior renovations and related site work; and relocation of the existing playground at the Holly Hills Elementary School, together with the completion of various other improvements, including interior renovations and related site work. The board will expend an amount not to exceed $1,599,650, (all of which represent eligible costs, as determined by the commissioner of education); and issue bonds for the project in an amount not to exceed $1,599,650, in which event the state will pay approximately 40% of the debt service (principal and interest) of the school bonds issued to finance the second proposal’s final eligible costs; and (d) transfer unexpended bond proceeds between said school facility projects.

Total amount proposed: $1,599,650
State funding: $639,860

Camden County

Lindenwold: The Lindenwold Borough Board of Education is seeking authorization to construct a new early childhood center, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and to appropriate $45,721,115, partially funded by $12,474,115 available from the board’s capital reserve fund, grants and/or other funds, and to issue bonds to finance the balance in an amount not to exceed $33,247,000, thus using all of its previously available borrowing capacity and utilizing $13,571,066 of the $14,515,012 borrowing capacity of the Borough of Lindenwold. The board may further 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 state commissioner of education are $12,526,800. The state debt service aid percentage will equal 79.871% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects financed with bonds.

Total amount proposed: $33,247,000
State funding: $10,005,280

Cape May County

Lower Cape May Regional: The board of education is asking voters to allow it to raise funds through the sale of $13,900,000 bond in bonds to finance repairs and improvements at its middle and high school. At the Richard M. Teitelman Middle School, funds would be used to replace the roof; HVAC construction, including replaced roof-top units in the kitchen, media center, science and office areas and new rooftop units in the gym; replacement of split system unit ventilators in classrooms, and new exhaust fans; and electrical construction for infrastructure and electrical feeders and panels.

At Lower Cape May Regional High School, the district would use the funds for HVAC construction, including replaced rooftop units in the cafeteria, art room, wood shops, health, culinary and offices area and new rooftop units in the gym; replacement of split system unit ventilators in classrooms, and new exhaust fans; and electrical construction for infrastructure, feeders and panels.

The final approved eligible costs for the projects are $13,900,000.

Total amount proposed: $13,900,000
State funding: $5,560,000

Hudson County

Hoboken: The Hoboken Board of Education is seeking authorization to construct a new Hoboken High School at the John F. Kennedy Stadium site, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and to appropriate $241,050,000, and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $241,050,000. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey commissioner of education are $0. The project includes $241,050,000 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 will equal 0% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects financed with bonds.

Total amount proposed: $241,050,000
State funding: $0

Hunterdon County

Clinton-Glen Gardner: The Clinton-Glen Gardner School District is seeking authorization to acquire and to install a new playground, including all related work, upgrades, and renovations making the playground ADA accessible at Clinton Public School, including acquisition and installation of equipment and any site work; and (b) to appropriate $985,000 and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $985,000.

The final approved eligible costs for the project are $914,643. The project includes $70,357 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the project.

Total amount proposed: $985,000
State funding: $365,857

Mercer County

Princeton: The Princeton Board of Education is seeking authorization to provide for rehabilitation, renovations, alterations and improvements at Princeton High School, Princeton Middle School, Riverside Elementary School, Littlebrook Elementary School, Johnson Park Elementary School and Community Park Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures and equipment, site work and related costs; to appropriate $17,451,501 for such purposes and to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount $17,451,501.

The final eligible costs of the project approved by the commissioner of education are $17,451,501 (with $6,485,842 allocated to Princeton High School, $3,109,375 allocated to Princeton Middle School, $794,676 allocated to Riverside Elementary School, $2,716,780 allocated to Littlebrook Elementary School, $2,664,012 allocated to Johnson Park Elementary School and $1,680,816 allocated to Community Park Elementary 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 project. The board of education is authorized to transfer funds among the purposes approved at this special election.

Total amount proposed: $17,451,501
State funding: $6,980,600

Morris County

Mendham Township: The Mendham Township Board of Education is seeking authorization to provide for renovations, alterations and improvements at Mendham Township Elementary School and Mendham Township Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, site work and related costs; to appropriate $19,903,197 for such purposes and to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $19,903,197.

The final approved eligible costs are $18,475,992 (with $8,272,041 allocated to Mendham Township Elementary School and $10,203,951 allocated to Mendham Township Middle School). The proposed improvements include $257,400 allocated to Mendham Township Elementary School and $257,400 allocated to Mendham Township Middle School or 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. The board of education is authorized to transfer funds among the purposes approved at this special election.

Total amount proposed: $19,903,197
State funding: $7,390,397

Somerset County

Manville: The Manville Borough Board of Education is seeking to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs, and upgrades at Weston Elementary School, Alexander Batcho Intermediate School and Manville High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and (b) to appropriate $3,950,000, and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,950,000.

The final approved eligible costs for the projects are $3,950,000 (consisting of $3,750,000 for Weston Elementary School, $75,000 for Alexander Batcho Intermediate School and $125,000 Manville High School). The state debt service aid percentage will equal 54.6628% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects financed with bonds.

Total amount proposed: $3,950,000
State funding: $1,580,000

Stay tuned to School Board Notes, which will report the results of the special election questions in subsequent issues.