District-by-District Results: $300.2 Million, of $386 Proposed School Construction, Approved
This article was originally published in School Board Notes on September 30, 2014.
School construction projects were approved by voters in 17 of 21 school districts that held special elections Tuesday night, although in several districts that put forth multi-part proposals, not all questions were approved. Here are the district-by-district results of voting, in the September 30 special elections.
Summary of Proposals
STATEWIDE
Total amount approved – $300,264,408
Total amount proposed – $386,206,410
Total state funds for approved projects – $108,844,741
Total amount proposed, eligible for state reimbursement – $140,716,372 (State reimbursement may include up-front school construction grants, or payments of annual debt service aid.)
ATLANTIC COUNTY
NORTHFIELD – APPROVED
Security and safety upgrades, HVAC upgrades, roof replacement at Community School.
Total amount: $7,380,085
State funds: $3,005,483
BERGEN COUNTY
MIDLAND PARK – APPROVED
Improvements to High School and Highland Avenue/Godwin Elementary School, including window – replacement, HVAC upgrades, electrical work, security upgrades, ADA compliance, plumbing work.
Total amount: $11,509,807
State funds: $2,859,807
Allocation from capital reserve: $150,000
RIDGEFIELD – APPROVED
Security improvement, window replacements, other upgrades at three schools.
Total amount: $3,012,564
State funds: $1,205,026
WOOD-RIDGE – APPROVED
HVAC replacements, renovation of science labs, new exterior doors, access controls and other improvements.
Total amount: $13,819,913
State funds: $5,527,965
Anticipated revenue from sale of building: $1,500,000
BURLINGTON COUNTY
BEVERLY – APPROVED
Boiler, HVAC, and window replacement.
Total amount: $2,723,661
State funds: $1,691,925
CINNAMINSON
Proposal 1 – APPROVED Improvements and renovations to four schools, including secure vestibules at the elementary, intermediate and middle schools, new classrooms, roof replacement, HVAC upgrades and security/telecommunications upgrades at the high school, and fire alarms and sprinkler systems at several of the buildings.
Amount of Proposal 1: $33,298,157
State funds: $11,797,300
Proposal 2 – APPROVED (contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 1) – New high school gymnasium.
Amount of Proposal 2: $6,750,125
Not eligible for state funding
Proposal 3 – REJECTED(contingent upon voter approval of Proposals 1 and 2) – Construction of tennis courts at high school.
Amount of proposal 3: $750,000
Not eligible for state funding
MOORESTOWN
Proposal 1 – APPROVED Renovation, repair, retro-fitting, replacement and rehabilitation of existing building systems or site improvements at six facilities, including new roofs, HVAC systems, security enhancements and curriculum-related technology upgrades.
Amount of Proposal 1: $37,651,091
State funds: $13,784,436
Proposal 2 – APPROVED (contingent upon approval of Proposal 1) Renovations to athletic complex including installation of artificial turf, improvements to the high school theater, and paving at several schools.
Amount of Proposal 2: $5,236,913
Not eligible for state funding
SOUTHAMPTON – APPROVED
Air conditioning systems at three schools, emergency generator.
Total amount: $7,535,000
State funds: $3,014,000
CAMDEN COUNTY
HADDON TOWNSHIP
Proposal 1 – APPROVED Roofing, HVAC upgrades, safety and security enhancements, ADA compliance at high school, and four elementary schools.
Amount of Proposal 1: $40,221,527
State funds: $14,346,506
Proposal 2 – REJECTED (contingent upon approval of Proposal 1) – Major upgrades to athletic facilities, including new turf, dugouts, fencing and lighting, as well bleacher repairs and ADA compliance.
Amount of Proposal 2: $4,543,750
Not eligible for state funding
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
DELSEA REGIONAL
Proposal 1 – APPROVED A six-classroom addition to middle school “Save” program to reduce out-of-district placement, HVAC upgrades at high school and middle school, window and door replacements, new lighting and flooring.
Amount of Proposal 1: $20,781,875
State funds: $10,200,854
Proposal 2 – REJECTED (contingent upon approval of Proposal 1) – Concession and restrooms building at athletic field.
Amount of Proposal 2: $1,500,000
Not eligible for state funding
Proposal 3 – REJECTED (contingent upon approval of Proposals 2 and 3) – Artificial turf field improvements.
Amount of Proposal 3: $1,625,000
Not eligible for state funding
GLASSBORO – REJECTED
Improvements to four schools including roof replacement and repair, technology upgrades for the educational program, secure-entry vestibules, and security cameras.
Total amount: $26,900,450
State funds: $12,633,294
WEST DEPTFORD
Proposal 1 – APPROVED Improvements to five schools, including security upgrades, energy-efficient enhancements; construction of an early childhood education addition at an elementary school.
Amount of Proposal 1: $16,784,065
State funds: $5,157,375
Proposal 2 – REJECTED (contingent upon approval of Proposal 1) – Artificial turf fields at high school.
Amount of Proposal 2: $1,275,000
Not eligible for state funding
HUNTERDON COUNTY
FRENCHTOWN – APPROVED
Various improvements to elementary school, including boiler conversion and HVAC upgrades, roof and window replacements and bathroom renovations.
Total amount: $2,255,000
State funds: $902,000
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
SOUTH RIVER – REJECTED
High school classroom/computer lab addition, Pre-K classroom addition, and various improvements such as security upgrades, technological infrastructure enhancements.
Total amount: $10,116,900
State funds: $4,832,700
MONMOUTH COUNTY
FREEHOLD BOROUGH – REJECTED
Improvements, renovations and additions to accommodate enrollment growth at Park Avenue Elementary/Middle School and Freehold Learning Center including new classrooms, gymnasium, girls’ locker room, library and cafeteria.
Total amount: $32,902,400
State funds: $12,502,912
OCEAN COUNTY
BAY HEAD – APPROVED
New classrooms, new gym/multi-purpose room built above floodplain level, safety upgrades and various other improvements.
Total amount: $4,291,310
State funds: $761,307
Donation from Bay Head School Foundation: $470,430
Insurance recovery funds: $247,930
Allocation from capital reserve: $272,950
LAKEWOOD – APPROVED
HVAC upgrades, roof replacements, various improvements to district schools; also, refinancing of outstanding lease-purchase obligation.
Total amount: $34,471,401 ($29.5 million for construction project; $5.2 to refinance lease-purchase)
State funds: $11,748,560
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP – APPROVED
Improvements at five schools, including new roofing, construction of secure vestibules/entryways, security cameras, HVAC upgrades.
Total amount: $15,480,257
State funds: $6,192,103
SOMERSET COUNTY
BOUND BROOK
Proposal 1 – APPROVED Purchase and renovation of two former parochial schools for use as public schools and various improvements and upgrades at all district schools.
Amount of Proposal 1: $27,140,573
State funds: $16,650,094
Proposal 2 – REJECTED (contingent upon approval of Proposal 1) – Construction of a community fitness center.
Amount of Proposal 2: $3,070,050
State funds: $1,120,805
SUSSEX COUNTY
MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP – REJECTED
Addition to the elementary school to accommodate 7th and 8th grade students, who currently attend school in Port Jervis, New York under a “sending-receiving” arrangement.
.
Total amount: $3,258,452
State funds: $781,920
WARREN COUNTY
PHILLIPSBURG – APPROVED
Conversion of a former high school to a middle school; conversion of an elementary school to an administration building, construction of a field house and athletic fields. Project will involve two school closings.
Total amount: $9,921,084
The conversion of the high school was potentially eligible for full state funding. However, the school board indicated that it considered the lack of current state funding, the uncertainty over future funding and the need to proceed with the projects. As a result, it is seeking to undertake the projects without state financial support.