FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org )

Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org )

(609) 278-5202

TRENTON, December 11, 2002--Voters in 15 school districts authorized $193 million in construction spending yesterday, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported today. Statewide, construction referenda took place in 24 school districts, where voters acted on more than $495 million in proposed spending.

“Voters continue to approve a majority of school construction proposals,” said Edwina M. Lee, NJSBA’s executive director. “However, the 63-percent voter approval rate on Tuesday is lower than the approval rates for school referenda held earlier this year, which had reached as high as 85%.

“The drop-off in voter approval may be due to several factors-including the increased property tax rates in many communities that are necessary to maintain school basic operations in the face of flat state aid to education,” she continued. “Apparently, voters in some school districts did not feel comfortable authorizing additional local expenditures, even though special state funds are available to offset a significant portion of the construction costs.”

Construction plans approved on Tuesday will be financed by state and local sources as follows:

NJSBA research indicates that one-quarter to one-third of school construction referenda represent school districts’ second, third, fourth or even fifth attempts at obtaining voter approval.

“After a bond issue defeat, school boards typically review their facility needs, evaluate the failed proposal in light of community concerns and goals and return to the voters, often with a modified plan,” said Lee.

This year, voters have approved $1.339 billion in school construction-the highest amount since NJSBA began tracking school bond election results in 1997. In 2001, they authorized $970.1 million in construction projects; in 2000, $1.04 billion; in 1999, $779.8 million; in 1998, $487.2 million; and in 1997, $473.9 million.

The Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, signed into law in July 2000, provides $8.6 billion in state money for school construction. It funds at least 40% of state-determined “eligible costs” for local district projects. Until the enactment of the facilities bill, 240 of the state’s 589 operating school districts received no state aid for construction, and another 108 districts received 25% or less in state aid.

Estell Manor - APPROVED

Renovations/additions to elementary school

$2,710,000 - total

$1,091,929 - state grant

$1,118,071 - locally financed bonds

$500,000 - transfer from capital reserve account

Elmwood Park - REJECTED (all questions)

Proposal 1: Renovations/additions to High/Middle School

$27,661,719 - total

$8,460,554 - state grant

$19,201,165 - locally financed bonds

Proposal 2: Renovations/additions to three elementary schools

$20,764,080 - total

$5,660,733 - state grant

$15,103,347 - locally financed bonds

Proposal 2a: (contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 2) New stage, expanded multi-purpose room and gym facilities at two elementary schools

$3,977,386 - total

$126,101 - state grant

$3,851,285 - locally financed bonds

Fair Lawn - REJECTED

Additions/renovations to high school and two elementary schools. Renovations at two middle schools and four elementary schools

$37,876,080 - total

$11,073,850 - state grant

$26,802,230 - locally financed bonds

Pascack Valley Regional - REJECTED (both questions)

Proposal 1: Renovations/additions to two high schools

$57,768,886 - total

$13,772,623 - state grant

$43,996,263 - locally financed bonds

Proposal 2: (contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 1) Technology upgrades, classrooms, music rooms, HVAC and other renovations/rehabilitation to two high schools.

$9,919,152 - total

$2,948,207 - state grant

$6,970,945 - locally financed bonds

Ridgewood - APPROVED

Additions/renovations to four elementary schools

$6,161,666 - total

$1,480,252 - state grant

$4,681,414 - locally financed bonds

Burlington Township - APPROVED

Land acquisition for future school construction

$1,500,000 - total

0 - state grant

$1,500,000 - locally financed bonds

Lumberton Township - APPROVED

Capital reserve transfer to complete project previously approved in September 2001 for new elementary school and additions and renovations to another elementary school and middle school.

$441,348.06 - total

0 - state grant

0 - locally financed bonds

$441,348.06 - transfer from capital reserve accounts

Shamong Township - APPROVED

Additions to two elementary schools

$8,191,181.05 - total

$2,693,177 - state grant

$5,498,004.05 - locally financed bonds

Southampton Township - REJECTED (both questions)

Proposal 1: Renovations to three elementary schools.

$8,675,661 - total

$3,370,617 - state grant

$5,305,044 - locally financed bonds

Proposal 2: (contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 1) Installation of air conditioning in three elementary schools

$1,566,151 - total

0 - state grant

$1,566,151 - locally financed bonds

Nutley - REJECTED (both questions)

Proposal 1: Additions/renovations to middle school, high school and five elementary schools

$27,686,447 - total

$8,722,924 - state grant

$18,963,523 - locally financed bonds

Proposal 2: (contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 1) Library, gym, cafeteria, art & music rooms at five elementary schools. Security system at high school and middle school.

$18,613,393 - total

$5,700,631 - state grant

$12,912,762 - locally financed bonds

Harrison Township - APPROVED

Renovations to elementary school/addition to elementary school

$5,478,514 - total

$2,621,247 - state grant

$2,857,267 - locally financed bonds

Delaware Valley Regional - REJECTED

Renovations/additions to high school

$9,809,342 - total

$3,089,693 - state grant

$6,719,649 - locally financed bonds

Lawrence Township - APPROVED

Alterations/additions to high school and two elementary schools/Renovations to middle school, intermediate school and two elementary schools

$37,230,194 - total

$9,665,954 - state grant

$27,564,240 - locally financed bonds

Atlantic Highlands - REJECTED

Additions/renovations to elementary school

$6,292,000 - total

$2,083,130 - state grant

$4,208,870 - locally financed bonds

Rumson - APPROVED

Alternations/additions to elementary school and middle school

$8,686,000 - total

$2,403,415 - state grant

$6,282,585 - locally financed bonds

East Hanover - APPROVED

Additions and renovations to two elementary schools/renovations to middle school

$13,587,955 - total

$4,748,042 - state grant

$8,839,913 - locally financed bonds

Morris Plains - APPROVED

Expansion/renovation at elementary school

$11,755,372 - total

$4,222,188 - state grant

$7,533,184 - locally financed bonds

Riverdale - APPROVED

Addition/renovation at elementary school

$5,552,000 - total

$1,863,568 - state grant

$3,688,432 - locally financed bonds

Manchester Township - APPROVED

Additions and renovations to elementary and middle school; addition to high school; and refund of $879,000 textbook lease purchase agreement.

$29,957,648 - total

$11,983,059 - state grant

$17,974,589 - locally financed bonds

Point Pleasant Borough - APPROVED

Additions and renovations to the high school and the middle school.

$14,761,988 - total

$4,308,366 - state grant

$10,453,622 - locally financed bonds

Toms River Regional - APPROVED

Construction of a new middle/intermediate school; an addition and renovations to Intermediate West School; renovations to North Dover Elementary School.

$39,786,977 - total

$12,542,488 - state grant

$27,244,489 - locally financed bonds

Somerset Hills Regional - REJECTED

Construction of a new primary school, including land acquisition; renovations to the existing elementary school; additions and renovations to high school.

$66,902,352 - total

$12,152,650 - state grant

$54,484,435 - locally financed bonds

$265,267 - transfer of unspent funds from a 1998 bond

Hopatcong - REJECTED

Addition and renovations to the high school for a classroom wing, an expanded cafeteria and other renovations/renovations to elementary school.

$4,951,324 - total

$1,708,087 - state grant

$3,243,237 - locally financed bonds

Stanhope - APPROVED

Expansion and renovations to one elementary school/renovations to second elementary school

$7,263,671 - total

$2,494,538 - state grant

$4,769,133 - locally financed bonds