NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org)
(609) 278-5202
Voters in Four Districts Approve $88 Million in School Construction
TRENTON, September 26, 2007 - Voters on Tuesday approved four of the school construction proposals on the ballot in nine districts, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported today.
So far in 2007, voters have approved 23 of 35 school-construction proposals for a total of $195.7 million. School boards can schedule bond referendums on five specific dates a year; the remaining date for school-construction ballot questions this year is Dec. 11.
Of the amount approved on Tuesday, more than $54 million would qualify for state aid.
The Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act of 2000 committed the state to fund a minimum of 40 percent of state-determined eligible costs of school construction projects. Most of the funds for the up-front cash grants available through the Facilities Act have been expended. Therefore, the state has been meeting its 40-percent obligation through annual payments of debt service aid to school districts. Debt service aid is funded through the annual state budget.
A list of Tuesday's school construction results is below.
Statewide total of approved school construction spending: $88,686,499 ($145,365,574 proposed)
Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service: $54,102,187.
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Greater Egg Harbor Regional - Passed
Acquire land and construct a new high school.
$81,710,636 – Total cost
$53,001,187 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service
$1,300,000 – Community development grant
BERGEN COUNTY
Dumont - Passed
Improvements to athletic fields at three schools.
$3,355,863 – Total cost
$693,000 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Rancocas Valley Regional - Rejected
Renovations to high school classrooms and offices, athletic facilities and bleachers, parking lots and sidewalks.
$6,829,372 – Total cost
$2,540,086 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Alexandria Township - Passed
Install a boiler heating system at the elementary school.
$770,000 – Total cost
308,000 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
Milford - Rejected (both proposals)
Proposal 1: Renovations to the elementary school roof and the electric, lighting, and safety systems.
$800,000 – Total cost
$320,000 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
Proposal 2 (Contingent on approval of Proposal 1):
Renovations to elementary school lighting and lavatories.
$590,000 – Total cost
$236,000 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
MORRIS COUNTY
Butler - Rejected
Improvements to high school athletic facilities.
$3,372,600 – Total cost
$618,693 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
PASSAIC COUNTY
Ringwood - Rejected
Construction of new classroom wings and renovations to two schools; and renovations to a third school. $28,835,703 – Total cost
$8,042,862 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
WARREN COUNTY
Mansfield Township - Passed
Refinance the outstanding balance of a 1995 lease-purchase, at a cost of $2,600,000 (not included in the total tally of statewide school construction); and replace windows in the elementary school, at a cost of $250,000 (which is included in the tally of statewide school construction).
$2,850,000 – Total cost
$100,000 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
North Warren Regional - Rejected (both proposals)
Proposal 1: Expand and renovate the middle/high school with additional classrooms, and additions or renovations to technology/science labs, gym and locker rooms.
$15,515,000 – Total cost
$3,273,665 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
Proposal 2 (contingent upon approval of Proposal 1): Expand middle/high school with a new weight room, art and music rooms, and other facilities upgrades.
$3,336,400 – Total cost
$523,148 – Amount eligible for state grant or state debt service
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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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