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

Voters to Decide $145 million in School Construction Tuesday

TRENTON, September 24, 2010—Voters in five New Jersey school districts will act on $145.5 million in proposed school construction next Tuesday, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported today.

Of the total amount that is being requested, more than $33.6 million would qualify for state funds, either through one-time school-construction grants or annual “debt service aid” payments to school districts.

In addition, in the four municipalities comprising Pascack Valley Regional, voters will act on a proposal to change the apportionment of each municipality’s share of the district’s property tax levy. (The four municipalities in Pascack Valley Regional are Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale and Woodcliff Lake.) The question asks voters if they approve a change from a formula based on the equalized property value of each municipality to one based on the number of students that each community sends to the regional high school.

School boards may hold special elections on five specific dates a year. The next date on which a school board may schedule a bond referendum question is Dec. 14.

Details of Tuesday’s school construction proposals are below.

New Jersey School Construction Referendums
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010

STATEWIDE

Total amount requested – $145,518,214

Amount eligible for state reimbursement – $33,677,809  (may include up-front school-construction grants or annual payments of debt service aid)

BERGEN COUNTY

Fort Lee

Renovations to six schools (roofs, windows, classrooms, HVAC, athletic facilities, electrical), and the construction of a new school.

Total amount – $99,970,000

Amount eligible for state reimbursement – $18,853,881

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

East Greenwich Township

Addition and renovations to two schools, and to acquire land beside a school.

Total amount – $25,470,626

Amount eligible for state reimbursement – $7,018,913

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Tinton Falls

Renovations to three schools and administration building (access road, roof, HVAC, electrical work).

Total amount – $8,867,735

Amount eligible for state reimbursement – $4,098,800

MORRIS COUNTY

Netcong

Renovations to the elementary school, including roof, HVAC, fire doors, boiler, lights, locker rooms, and other interior upgrades.

Total amount – $3,544,002

Amount eligible for state reimbursement – $1,516,840

PASSAIC COUNTY

Hawthorne Borough

Renovations to five schools, including technology upgrades and athletic facilities

Total amount – $7,665,851

Amount eligible for state reimbursement – $2,189,375

The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of 588 local boards of education and includes 44 charter school associate members. NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.