NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org)
(609) 278-5202
VOTERS APPROVE FIVE OF SEVEN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
TRENTON, January 25, 2006—Voters in five of seven school districts approved school construction proposals totaling $78 million on Tuesday, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported today.
More than $19 million of the proposed construction would be eligible for state funds, under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act of 2000. The EFCFA legislation appropriated $6 billion to fund all school construction costs in the special needs, or Abbott, districts; and another $2.6 billion for up-front grants to fund a minimum of 40 percent of eligible school construction in all other districts. While the grant funding has been fully allocated, the state’s 40-percent share of construction costs would need to be provided through annual debt service aid, which is authorized by the Legislature as part of the annual state budget.
In addition to the seven school-construction questions, Willingboro in Burlington County asked voters on Tuesday to approve borrowing $4.7 million to cover a budget deficit for the 2004-05 school year. That question was rejected.
State law limits school special elections to five specific dates a year. The next school election will be March 14.
New Jersey School Construction Referendum Results
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
STATEWIDE
Total amount approved: $78,453,413 ($194,474,174 proposed)
Amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid: $19,960,453 ($45,830,053 proposed)
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Hammonton—Approved
Construct an addition, replace the roof, and convert a wing of Hammonton Middle School into additional classrooms.
$2,614,252 – total
$1,149,158 – amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid
MERCER COUNTY
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional—Approved (both questions)
Proposal 1: Additions and renovations to five schools.
$25,195,000 – total
$6,909,093 – amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid
Proposal 2: (Contingent upon passage of Proposal 1): Reconstruct athletic fields at high schools with artificial turf
$2,307,420 – total
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Monroe Township—Approved
Construct a new elementary school
$26,800,000 – total
$4,591,730 – amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid
PASSAIC COUNTY
Clifton City—Rejected
Construct a new school
$48,994,129 – total
$8,172,736 – amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid
$3,300,000 – state school aid pursuant to Abbott border district legislation
Wanaque—Approved
Renovations at two elementary schools
$18,276,181 – total cost
$7,310,472 – amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid
SALEM COUNTY
Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional—Rejected
Construct a new high school; renovations and additions to the existing high school and an elementary school
$67,026,632 – total
$17,696,864 – amount eligible for state grant or debt service aid
SOMERSET COUNTY
Watchung Hills Regional—Approved
Funds to complete high-school renovations and additions that were approved by voters on January 28, 2003.
$3,260,560 – total ($260,560 transfer of funds from capital reserve; $3,000,000 new bond issue)
********
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.
### |
