news release
FROM the New Jersey School Boards Assn., P.O. Box 909, Trenton, NJ 08690
Telephone: (609) 278-5202 Fax: (609) 695-0413 Web site: www.njsba.org/PI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org)
(609) 278-5202
· $296.7 Million—over 90% of proposed spending—authorized
· State grants to fund one-quarter of approved projects
TRENTON, January 29, 2003—In spite of continuing concern over the economy, voters approved school construction proposals in 14 of the 16 districts that held elections yesterday, the New Jersey School Boards Association reports.
The approved construction plans total $296.7 million—more than 90% of the spending proposed. The state will fund approximately one-quarter of that total with grants made available through the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act of 2000.
Construction plans approved yesterday will be funded as follows:
Total project costs—$296,721,020.64 ($329,145,701.64 – proposed)
State grants—$73,056,620 ($82,052,692 – proposed)
Locally financed bonds—$223,664,400.64 ($247,093,009.64 – proposed)
The 2000 educational facilities act has been instrumental in increasing the rate of voter approval of construction proposals, according to NJSBA. By providing direct grants, the facilities act enables school districts to reduce the size of locally financed bonds—and lessen the amount of property taxes—needed to support construction projects.
Prior to enactment of the facilities act, voters approved little more than half of the construction plans put before them. Since the act went into effect, they have approved two-thirds to 90% of proposed construction spending.
State law permits school boards to hold bond elections on five specific dates. In addition to January 28, bond referenda can take place on the following days in 2003: March 11, April 15 (also the annual school board member and budget election); September 30; and December 9.
JANUARY 28, 2003
Number of Proposals Approved: 14 out of 16
Amount of Approved Construction: $296,721,020.64 ($329,145,701.64 – proposed)
Locally Financed Bonds: $223,664,400.64
$24,151,400 – total
$6,526,751 – state grant
$17,624,649 – locally financed bonds
Addition/renovation at Eleanor Van Gelder School
$7,949,500 – total
$2,122,395 – state grant
$5,827,105 – locally financed bonds
Renovation, rehabilitation, conversion of existing spaces to new uses at Ann Blanche Smith and Meadowbrook Elementary Schools and George G. White Middle School
$8,977,000 – total
$2,422,360 – state grant
$6,554,640 – locally financed bonds
Proposal 1: Additions to Pearson School and Walnut Street School
$7,798,281 – total
$2,469,321 – state grant
$5,328,960 – locally financed bonds
Proposal 2: (Contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 1) Installation of air conditioning in existing portions of Pearson School
$475,000 – total
0 – state grant
$475,000 – locally financed bonds
Woodlynne - PASSED
Acquisition and improvement of property for a playground
$119,500 – total
$104, 117 – state grant
$15,383 – locally financed bonds
West Orange - PASSED
Acquisition of land and construction of new middle school and construction of additions/renovations of existing elementary schools
$49,597,551.64 – total
$10,900,803 – state grant
$ 38,696,748.64 – locally financed bonds
Construction of alternations/renovations at Daniel Webster #2, Theodore Roosevelt #5 Elementary Schools and Weehawken High School
$9,471,513 – total
$3,613,312 – state grant
$5,858,201 – locally financed bonds
Highlands Borough - PASSED
Reconstruction of roof and renovation of restroom facilities and other improvements at Highlands Elementary School
$238,745 – total
$95,498 – state grant
$143,247 – locally financed bonds
Mendham Township - PASSED
Construction of additions, alterations and renovations at elementary and middle schools
$16,503,989 – total
$5,230,920 – state grant
$11,273,069 – locally financed bonds
Stafford Township - PASSED
Acquisition and construction of Early Childhood Learning Center and renovation/alterations at existing schools
$19,601,046 – total
$4,376,121 – state grant
$15,224,925 – locally financed bonds
Wayne Township - PASSED
Construction of new middle school, additions/renovations at two high schools and two existing middle schools.
$59,970,769 – total
$14,087,208 – state grant
$45,883,561 – locally financed bonds
Renovations at elementary, middle and high schools; construction of a transportation garage.
$6,173,688 – total
$1,710,062 – state grant
$4,463,626 – locally financed bonds
Green Brook – PASSED (both questions)
Proposal 1: Alter scope of previously approved expansion/renovation project at IEF Elementary School and construction of multi-purpose room and four new classrooms at the Middle School.
$19,341,133 – total
$3,933,499 – state grant
$15,407,634 – locally financed bonds
Proposal 2: (Contingent upon voter approval of Proposal 1) Construction of new gymnasium at IEF Elementary School and conversion of old gym into cafeteria.
$1,458,547 - total
$126,208 – state grant
$1,332,339 – locally financed bonds
Additions and renovations at high school
$41,899,151 – total
$9,472,675 – state grant
$32,426,476 – locally financed bonds
Springfield - PASSED
Additions/renovations at Edward V. Walton, Thelma L. Sanmeier and James Caldwell Elementary Schools and Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School; renovations at Jonathan Dayton High School
$18,918,888 – total
$3,918,980 – state grant
$14,999,908 – locally financed bonds
Additions/renovations at high school, Kawameeh Middle School, field house and administration building
$36,500,000 – total
$10,942,462 - state grant
$25,557,538 – locally financed bonds
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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of more than 600 local boards of education. Established more than 85 years ago, NJSBA represents the education and related health and safety interests of New Jersey's 1.2 million public school students and advocates the positions of the state's local school districts. The Association also provides inservice training and technical assistance to the state's 4,800 local board of education members. School board members, who serve without compensation, are the largest group of elected and appointed public officials in the state.