Five North Jersey school districts propose ballot questions for Dec. 12 special election
Five North Jersey school boards are seeking voter support and taxpayer funding for construction projects ahead of a Dec. 12 special election.
Three elections are set for Morris County, with the other two coming in Passaic and Bergen counties. Each is requesting permission to bond for multi-million construction projects that mainly seek to renovate existing and aging facilities.
In total, these five school districts are seeking more than $235 million, according to state records. Due to a commitment of at least 40% of eligible construction costs through debt service aid, the state could conceivably chip in some $60 million to offset district expenses for these proposed projects.
Residents who are registered to vote in participating towns can cast their ballots by mail or in person between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 12.
River Edge and Oradell
Voters in River Edge and Oradell will be asked to approve a bond measure for improvements at River Dell Regional Middle School and River Dell Regional High School. The proposal includes renovating classrooms, upgrading technology infrastructure and enhancing safety measures. Both schools are set to receive various mechanical and electrical service upgrades as well as gym floor replacements, asbestos tile removal and new graphics and branding in district facilities.
A new classroom suite and locker rooms are proposed at the high school, as is a renovated auditorium. Auditorium renovations including the creation of a balcony, art room overhauls and revisions to the STEM classrooms are among the proposals pending for the middle school.
Bond total: $18,691,750State offset: $7,476,700
Pompton Lakes
Pompton Lakes' Board of Education is pitching a series of safety and security-related renovations across several schools. Security vestibules are proposed for an additional layer of visitor screening, as are the installation of shatter-resistant film on first-floor windows and lightweight metal doors.
Other costs will fund a communications network that adds digital display boards in hallways and Board of Education offices, synchronized public address systems and classroom phones for teachers. A lighting detection system, new generators and camera systems and electrical service upgrades are also proposed.
Bond total: $5,713,890State offset: $2,285,556
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Madison
The Madison Borough Board of Education has presented three bond proposals to address needs across multiple schools. The second and third, however, are contingent on the first being approved.The first covers improvements, renovations and upgrades at Central Avenue Elementary School, Kings Road Elementary School, Torey J. Sabatini Elementary School, Madison Junior School, and Madison High School. Fire alarm replacements, accessibility improvements and various infrastructure upgrades are included.
Bond total: $49,419,482State offset: $18,310,945.60
The second bond proposal focuses on HVAC upgrades and generator installations across the five schools. Window replacements at the Central Avenue School are included.
Bond (2) total: $11,626,500State offset: $4,397,885.20
The third bond proposal adds exterior improvements, sidewalk replacements at Torey J. Sabatini Elementary School, playground upgrades and an addition at Central Avenue Elementary School. Exterior improvements, sidewalk repair, paving upgrades and athletic fields repairs and upgrades are also proposed for Madison Junior School.
Bond (3) total: $18,311,703State offset: $3,040,483.20
Mount Olive
The Mount Olive Township Board of Education is presenting two bond proposals. The first includes HVAC improvements, roof replacements, and the construction of additional facilities in the school district, namely Sandshore Elementary School, Tinc Road Elementary School and Mount Olive Middle School.
Bond total: $52,802,178State offset: $13,059,384
Proposal two is contingent on the approval of proposal one and involves an addition at Mount Olive High School and the construction of a transportation maintenance building and transportation office facility on the campus of Mount Olive Middle School.
Bond (2) total: $8,973,111State offset: $515,804.40
Montville
The Montville Board of Education is presenting two bond proposals, with the first calling for classroom additions at Cedar Hill Elementary School, Valley View Elementary School, Hilldale Elementary School, William Mason Elementary School and Woodmont Elementary School. Infrastructure upgrades and new parking across are included.
Bond total: $53,002,289State offset: $4,319,735.20
The second is dependent on the approval of the first and focuses on security vestibules at Montville High School, Valley View Elementary School, William Mason Elementary School and Woodmont Elementary School and HVAC system upgrades at Cedar Hill Elementary School, Hilldale Elementary School, Robert R. Lazar Middle School, William Mason Elementary School and Woodmont Elementary School.
Bond (2) total: $16,980,314State offset: $6,792,125.60
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Five North Jersey school districts hold Dec. 12 special elections
