Voters to Decide Proposed Questions in Special School Election

Voters will go to the polls on Dec. 9 to vote on school construction questions.

Statewide, the New Jersey School Boards Association learned of four (4) boards of education with construction questions on the ballot.

Statewide bonding amount proposed: $66,603,502
State funding amount: $20,185,203.80

Under the Educational Facilities and Construction and Financing Act of 2000, the state will fund at least 40% of eligible school construction costs through annual debt service aid.

Here are the proposed questions compiled from the offices of the county clerks as well as sample ballots posted on websites and published reports.

Bond Proposal Questions

Burlington County

Shamong

Proposal Question – The Board of Education of the Township of Shamong in the County of Burlington, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide for renovations, alterations and improvements at Indian Mills School and Indian Mills Memorial School, including acquisition and installation of equipment, fixtures and furnishings, site work and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $25,000,000 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $25,000,000.

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education are $25,000,000 (with $9,500,000 allocated to Indian Mills School and $15,500,000 allocated to Indian Mills Memorial School). The projects include $0 for elements that are not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g), and for facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education. The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service, based on the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.   

Bonding amount proposed:  $25,000,000
State funding: $10,000

Cape May County

Woodbine

Proposal Question  – The Board of Education of the Borough of Woodbine in the County of Cape May, New Jersey (The “Board” ) is authorized to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, and upgrades at Woodbine Elementary School, including acquisitions and installation of fixtures, furniture and equipment and any site work; (b) appropriate $4,150,000 for such improvements; and (c) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,150,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $4,150,000. The projects include $0 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities’ efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service percentage will equal 65.7222% of the annual debt service due on the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

Bonding amount proposed:  $4,150,000
State funding: $2,727,471.30

Cumberland County

Cumberland Regional

Proposal Question – The Board of Education of the Cumberland Regional High School District in the County of Cumberland, New Jersey (the “Board”) is authorized to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, and upgrades at Cumberland Regional High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, and equipment, and various site work; (b) appropriate $10,375,337, partially funded by $380,337 available from the Board’s capital reserve fund for such improvements; and (c) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,995,000.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $10,375,337. The projects include $0 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities’ efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g).  The State debt service aid percentage will equal 63.7711% of the annual debt service due on the final eligible costs of the projects.  The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

Bonding amount proposed:  $10,375,337
State funding: 6,616,466.50

Gloucester County

Mantua Township

Proposal Question – The Board of Education of the Township of Mantua in the County of Gloucester, New Jersey (the “Board”) is authorized to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, and upgrades at Centre City School and at J. Mason Tomlin School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment and any site work; (b) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, and upgrades, and to construct an addition at Sewell School, including acquisitions and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment, and any site work; (c) appropriate $39,110, 965 for such improvements; and (d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $39,110,965.

The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $27,078,165 (consisting of $7,616,811 for Centre City School, $13,531,762 for J. Mason Tomlin School and $5,929,592 for Sewell School). The projects include $2,711,566 (consisting of $0 for Centre City School, $0 for J. Mason Tomlin School and $2,711,566 for Sewell School) for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State of New Jersey (the “State”) support pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

Bonding amount proposed:  $27,078,165
State funding: $10,831,266