P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

Voters to Decide $151 Million in School Construction Tuesday

TRENTON, March 6, 2008 — Eight school districts will ask voters to approve more than $151.6 million in school construction on Tuesday, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported today.

At least three of the eight projects—Glen Rock in Bergen County, and Delsea Regional and Washington Township in Gloucester County—include solar energy panels as part of the upgrades that voters will consider. Solar has become an increasingly viable option for some school districts, with grants and other incentives available from state agencies.

Of the $151.6 million that is being requested on Tuesday, nearly $47.5 million would qualify for state aid. The state has been providing construction funding through annual “debt service aid” to school districts.

The next date on which a school board may schedule a bond referendum question is the Annual School Election on April 15, when voters also act on proposed school district operating budgets and elect board of education candidates. 

A list of Tuesday’s school construction proposals is below.

State total of proposed school construction: $151,681,147
Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service: $47,493,099

BERGEN COUNTY
Glen Rock
Additions and renovations to the middle/high school, and renovations to four elementary schools.
$45,343,355 – Total cost
$12,723,026 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

CAMDEN COUNTY
Oaklyn
Renovations to the Oaklyn Elementary School.
$5,951,301 – Total cost
$2,380,520 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Delsea Regional
Renovations to the middle and high schools, including roof and solar projects.
$6,467,760 – Total cost
$5,488,132 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

Deptford Township
Proposal 1: Additions and renovations to the high and middle school; renovate five other schools. $71,411,733 – Total cost $18,501,182 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

Proposal 2 (contingent upon the passage of Proposal 1): Install air conditioning in specialized instructional areas at seven schools.
$3,390,000 – Total cost
$1,356,000 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

Proposal 3 (contingent upon the passage of Proposal 1): Install an elevator in administration building, and install stadium lighting and technology upgrades to the high school.
$750,000 – Total cost
$90,000 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

Elk Township
Renovations to the Aura School.
$1,750,578 – Total cost
$863,728 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

Washington Township
Roof repairs and installation of solar panels at the high school.
$6,256,950 – Total cost
$3,247,357 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

HUNTERDON COUNTY
Readington Township
Various roof, paving and HVAC repairs.
$2,364,000 – Total cost
$983,424 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

OCEAN COUNTY
Little Egg Harbor Township
Addition and renovations to an elementary school, and renovations to the intermediate school.
$7,995,470 – Total cost
$1,859,730 – Amount eligible for state facilities grant or state debt service

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.