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CONTACT:        Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org)                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                        Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org)
                        (609) 278-5202

Voters Approve $11 Million in School Construction


TRENTON, April 19, 2006—Voters in six of nine school districts on Tuesday approved school-construction proposals totaling $11 million, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported today.

The nine bond referendums were among many decisions that voters made during the April 18 Annual School Election, the date that citizens also select school board members and vote on their school district’s annual operating budget.

Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act of 2000, districts would receive debt service aid, provided in installments over a period of years, to help them pay off the voter-approved bonds.  EFCFA authorizes cumulative debt service aid that would total at least 40% of state-determined eligible project costs.  However, the actual amount of debt service aid provided each year is subject to approval by the Legislature and Governor as part of the annual state budget.

For 2006-07, Governor Corzine has recommended sufficient funding to meet EFCFA authorized amounts.

A 2001 state law limits special school elections to five specific dates a year. The next date that a school board can put a bond referendum before voters is September 26.

New Jersey School Construction Referendum
Tuesday, April 18, 2006

STATEWIDE
Total amount approved: $11,088,321 ($25,310,541 proposed)

BERGEN COUNTY
Oakland Borough—Passed
Roof replacement at two schools, and renovate mechanical systems at a third school
Total amount requested - $2,733,135

Paramus—Passed
Roof replacement at three schools; boiler replacement at one school; and other renovations at two schools
Total amount requested - $2,000,000

Ridgefield—Passed
Roof replacement at four schools
Total amount requested - $3,240,298

BURLINGTON COUNTY
Shamong Township—Rejected
Upgrade security and fire alarm systems, and roof repairs
Total amount requested - $369,146

GLOUCESTR COUNTY
Elk Township—Passed
Roof replacement at Aura Elementary School
Total amount requested - $208,000

MONMOUTH COUNTY
Freehold Borough—Rejected (both questions)
Proposal #1
Additions of a multi-purpose room and three classrooms at the Freehold Learning Center; renovations to Park Avenue Elementary School
Total amount requested - $7,226,208

Proposal #2
Construction of an administration building
Total amount requested – $571,703

OCEAN COUNTY
Bayhead—Passed
Renovations and additions to the elementary school
Total amount requested – $2,222,222

Pinelands Regional—Rejected
Renovations to junior and high school; construct a new alternative school
Total amount requested - $6,055,172

UNION COUNTY
Clark Township—Passed
Roof replacement at elementary school
Total amount requested - $684,657

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The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of district boards of education, advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.

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