Voters to Decide School Construction Questions in Dec. 13 Special Election

Voters will head to the polls for a special election Dec. 13 to decide various school construction proposals.

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

Statewide bonding amount proposed: $313,746,647
State funding of proposed questions: $79,149,217

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.

School Construction Proposals

Atlantic County

Folsom Borough – The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations, and upgrades to the HVAC system, a partial roof replacement, acquisition and installation of automatic door locking systems, and the replacement of the telephone system at Folsom Elementary School, including all related work, fixtures, equipment and any site work; and (b) to appropriate $7,012,045, partially funded by the School and Small Business Ventilation and Energy Efficiency Verification and Repair Program in the amount of $2,567,880, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 – The Elementary and Secondary School Energy Relief Fund in the amount of $191,454, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – The Elementary and Secondary School Energy Relief Fund in the amount of $422,892, and to issue bonds to finance the balance in an amount not to exceed $3,892,819.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $7,012,045.  The state debt service aid percentage will equal 61.5986% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects financed with bonds.

Total bonding amount: $3,892,819
State funding: $2,397,922

Bergen County

Saddle Brook is asking voters to decide three bond proposal questions.

Bond Proposal Question No 1:  The board of education is asking voters for authorization to construct a new middle school addition to the Saddle Brook Middle/High School, including the acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades to Saddle Brook Middle/High School, including the acquisition and installation of an athletic turf field, lighting, fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Helen I. Smith Elementary School, Long Memorial Elementary School and Washington Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (d) to appropriate $48,890,600 for such improvements; and (e) to issue bonds not to exceed $48,890,600.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $6,025,578 (consisting of $3,056,328 for Saddle Brook Middle/High School, $582,750 for Helen I. Smith Elementary School, $111,000 for Long Memorial Elementary School, and $2,275,500 for Washington Elementary School).

Total bonding proposed: $48,890,600
State funding: $2,410,231

Bond Proposal Question No. 2 will only go into effect if the first proposal question is also approved by voters.

The board of education is asking voters for authorization to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Saddle Brook Middle/High School, Helen I. Smith Elementary School, Long Memorial Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School and Washington Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to appropriate $5,067,837 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,067,837.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $5,067,837 (consisting of $3,247,604 for Saddle Brook Middle/High School, $743,811 for Helen I. Smith Elementary School, $233,433 for Long Memorial Elementary School, $455,044 for Franklin Elementary School and $387,945 for Washington Elementary School).

Total bonding proposed: $5,067,837
State funding: $2,027,135

Bond Proposal Question No. 3 will only go into effect if the first two bond proposal questions are also approved by voters.

The board of education is asking for authorization to (a) acquire and install a second athletic turf field and lighting at Saddle Brook Middle/High School, including acquisition and installation of any fixtures, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Coolidge School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) to appropriate $4,700,850 for such improvements; and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,700,850.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $3,552,500 (consisting of $500,000 for Saddle Brook Middle/High School and $3,052,500 for Coolidge School).

Total bonding proposed: $4,700,850
State funding: $1,421,000

If voters approve all three bond proposal questions, the district would be authorized to spend a total of $58,659,287 and the total state funding would equal $5,858,366

Camden County

Berlin – The board of education is asking voters for authorization to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs and upgrades at Berlin Community School, including related work, fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and (b) to appropriate $19,699,285, and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $19,699,285.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $19,699,285.

Total bonding proposed: $19,699,285
State funding: $7,879,714

Monmouth County

Wall – The board of education is asking voters to approve two bond proposal questions.

Bond Proposal Question No. 1: The board is asking for authorization to (a) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Wall High School, Allenwood Elementary School, Central Elementary School, Wall Intermediate School, Old Mill Elementary School, Wall Primary School and West Belmar Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to appropriate $53,078,733 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $53,078,733.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $53,078,733 (consisting of $24,744,041 for Wall High School, $3,963,238 for Allenwood Elementary School, $4,913,486 for Central Elementary School, $12,647,754 for Wall Intermediate School, $4,019,052 for Old Mill Elementary School, $364,000 for Wall Primary School, and $2,427,162 for West Belmar Elementary School).

Total bonding proposed: $53,078,733
State funding: $21,231,493

Bond Proposal Question No. 2 – This proposal will only go into effect if voters approve the first bond proposal question.

The board is asking voters for authorization to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Wall High School, including athletic facilities improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, and various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Allenwood Elementary School, Wall Intermediate School, Old Mill Elementary School and West Belmar Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to appropriate $13,520,475 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $13,520,475.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $5,911,196 (consisting of $819,000 for Wall High School, $234,839 for Allenwood Elementary School, $1,560,000 for Wall Intermediate School, $1,041,857 for Old Mill Elementary School, and $2,255,500 for West Belmar Elementary School).

Total bonding proposed: $13,520,475
State funding: $2,364,478

If both bond proposal questions are approved, the board would be authorized to spend a total of $66,599,208 and total state funding would be $23,595,971.

Morris County

Dover – The board of education is seeking authorization to construct a new middle school on land owned by the board located on the Dover High School campus and to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades and to construct an addition to Dover High School, including the acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work and to (b) appropriate $69,263,500 and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $69,263,500, thus using all of its previously available borrowing capacity and exceeding its borrowing margin by $13,628,316.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $11,819,041 (consisting of $7,319,741 for the new middle school and $4,499,300 for Dover High School.) The state debt service aid percentage will equal 68.168% of the annual debt service with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.

Total bonding proposed: $69,263,500
State funding: $8,056,803

Hanover Park – The board of education is asking voters to authorize it to undertake rehabilitation, renovations, alterations and improvements at Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work and (b) to appropriate $44,349,835 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds in the principal amount of $44,349,835.

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $44,349,835 (with $28,071,975 allocated to Hanover Park High School and $16,277,860 allocated to Whippany Park High School).

Total bonding proposed: $44,349,835
State funding: $17,739,934

Passaic County

Little Falls – The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide for additions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Little Falls Township Elementary School/Middle School No. 1 and Little Falls Township Elementary School No. 2, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, site work and related costs and (b) to appropriate $31,274,316 for such purposes, including $502,074 ESSER and $1,209,017 PSE&G contributions, and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $29,563,225.

The final eligible costs of the project approved by the commissioner of education are $13,194,999 (with $9,953,501 allocated to Little Falls Township Elementary School/Middle School #1 and $3,241,498 allocated to Little Falls Township Elementary School #2).

Total bonding proposed: $29,563,225
State funding: $5,278,000

Somerset County

Watchung Borough – The borough is asking voters to approve two bond proposal questions.

Bond Proposal Question No. 1 – The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) upgrade the heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, to undertake various interior renovations, security upgrades, roof replacement and maintenance, replacement of exterior doors and electrical and plumbing upgrades, along with any related improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Bayberry Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) upgrade the heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, to undertake various interior renovations, security upgrades, roof replacement and maintenance, replacement of exterior doors and electrical and plumbing upgrades, along with related improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Valley View Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) to appropriate $12,807,985 for such improvements; and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,807,985.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $12,401,793 (consisting of $6,590,421 for Bayberry Elementary School and $5,811,372 for Valley View Middle School).

Total bonding proposed: $12,807,985
State funding: $4,960,717

Bond Proposal Question No. 2 – This bond proposal will only go into effect if voters approve the first bond proposal question.

The board of education is asking voters to authorize it to (a) to install air conditioning in the gym along with any related improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Bayberry Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment and any site work; (b) to install air conditioning in the gym, to create an outdoor learning commons, and to renovate the existing softball field for use as a multipurpose field, along with any related improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Valley View Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) to appropriate $2,926,503 for such improvements; and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,926,503.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $2,469,475 (consisting of $796,224 for Bayberry Elementary School and $1,673,251 for Valley View Middle School).

Total bonding proposed: $2,926,503
State funding: $987,790

If voters approve both bond proposal questions, the total bonding amount would be $15,734,488 and the state funding would be $5,948,507

Sussex County

Stanhope – The board of education is asking voters for authorization to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs and upgrades at Valley Road School, including related work, fixtures, furniture, equipment and site work and to appropriate $5,985,000 and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,985,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $5,985,000.

Total bonding proposed: $5,985,000
State funding: $2,394,000

Stay tuned to School Board Notes in future weeks for the election results.