Voters in five of seven New Jersey school districts who went to the polls yesterday to act on $140.5 million in school construction proposals approved at least a portion of the projects, including a new $28.1 million school in Edison that will replace an elementary school which was destroyed by fire last year. But in one district, Wayne, where a $4.8 million security enhancement project was narrowly defeated, officials say they are awaiting results of provisional ballots to be counted on Friday, to determine if those ballots will result in approval.  In unofficial results, Wayne’s proposal was defeated by a vote of 924 to 905. In Greater Egg Harbor Regional, however, where one of three ballot questions was closely approved, officials Wednesday morning were cautiously optimistic that final tallies of absentee ballots will uphold the victory at the polls. That measure passed 2,674 votes to 2,554, a 120-vote margin. Only Northern Valley Regional voters defeated a construction proposal outright. The construction proposals around the state included classroom and lab renovations; enhancements to security, HVAC, lighting systems and technology infrastructure; roof replacements; and athletic field improvements. Special elections took place in seven counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, Middlesex, Monmouth and Passaic. In Edison, the proposal to replace James Monroe Elementary School came almost exactly one year after the school was destroyed by fire, in March 2014. Funding for the project will include $9.4 million in insurance proceeds and $3.87 million in state funding. Most of the other approved construction projects will also receive some state funding, either through grants, debt service aid, or both. The second Tuesday in March is one of five dates on which a school board may propose a bond issue or special question to voters. The next date available for special elections would be in September, although districts that hold school board elections in April may also hold bond referendums then. Following is a summary of the school construction proposals on the ballot March 10:

STATEWIDE

Total amount proposed – $140,532,779 Total amount approved – $86,874,907 Total amount eligible for state reimbursement – $48,374,277 (State reimbursement may include up-front construction grants, or payments of annual debt service aid.) Total amount eligible for state reimbursement, approved – $32,161,817

ATLANTIC COUNTY

GREATER EGG HARBOR REGIONAL

Three-part proposal to upgrade three high schools totals $52.1 million, with $19.4 million available in state funds if approved. Proposal 1 must be approved for either of the other two proposals to pass.

Proposal 1: APPROVED – Upgrading heating, air conditioning, lighting, technology infrastructure at Absegami, Cedar Creek and Oakcrest high schools.

Total amount: $20,300,590

State funds: $11,060,878

Proposal 2: DEFEATED – Academic program area improvements and additional renovations, includes new library at Oakcrest and new band room addition at Absegami.

Total amount: $26,038,555

State funds: $8,089,986

Proposal 3: DEFEATED – Athletic improvements, including artificial turf fields at all three schools.

Total amount: $5,818,800

State funds: $229,166

BERGEN COUNTY

NORTHERN VALLEY REGIONAL – DEFEATED 

Renovations, upgrades of Demarest and Old Tappan high schools, including new STEM and physics labs, athletic enhancements and upgraded security systems. Also, construction of a new building to house special education programs for 18-20 year-old students.

Total amount: $13,173,147

State funds: $4,699,849

BURLINGTON COUNTY

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP – APPROVED

Two-part proposal, totals $6.3 million, with $2.2 million in state funds if approved. Proposal 1 must be approved for Proposal 2 to pass.

Proposal 1: Infrastructure and site improvements to Springfield Township Elementary School.

Total amount: $5,799,531

State funds: $2,072,312

Proposal 2: Installation of air conditioning at Springfield Township Elementary School.

Total amount: $565,750

State funds: $188,800

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

GLASSBORO

Three-part proposal for various improvements and upgrades to all schools, totals $26.9 million, with $12.6 million available in state funds if approved. Proposal 1 must be approved for either of the other two proposals to pass.

Proposal 1: APPROVED – Various improvements to plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems; roof replacements; renovations; security upgrades at five schools, plus administration building.

Total amount: $13,882,000

State funds: $6,602,700

Proposal 2: APPROVED – Replacement of air conditioning units, lighting upgrades, other improvements at five schools, plus administration building. Eligible for approval only if Proposal 1 passes.

Total amount: $9,765,000

State funds: $4,760,437

Proposal 3: DEFEATED – Glassboro High School music room, orchestra room renovation; renovation of basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields and track; Intermediate School fitness track; and other improvements. Eligible for approval only if Proposal 1 passes.

Total: $3,253,450

State funds: $1,270,156

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

EDISON – APPROVED

Construction of new elementary school to replace James Monroe Elementary School, which was destroyed by fire in March 2014. Total project cost includes $9,493,934 from insurance proceeds, so the district will issue bonds in the amount of $18,633,862. The district is also eligible for state funds to cover debt service.

Total: $28,127,796

Insurance proceeds: $9,493,934

State funds: $3,876,730

MONMOUTH COUNTY

WEST LONG BRANCH – APPROVED

Renovations and upgrades of two schools, including replacement of HVAC; electrical and lighting upgrades; science lab renovations at Frank Antonides School; and other improvements.

Total: $8,999,990

State funds: $3,599,960

PASSAIC COUNTY

WAYNE – DEFEATED, AWAITING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

Security enhancements at 13 schools, including door replacement, clock and intercom replacements, various other security and safety upgrades and improvement.

Total: $4,808,259

State funds: $1,923,303