TRENTON, March 16, 2023 — Voters headed to the polls for a special election March 14 to decide school construction proposals.
Statewide, the New Jersey School Boards Association learned of 11 boards of education with construction questions on the ballot.
Statewide bonding amount proposed: $520,622,427
Statewide bonding approved: $334,270,959
State funding of proposed questions: $129,649,871.90
State funding approved: $103,706,177.10
Please note that the above totals INCLUDE a bond proposal from the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, which asked voters to approve the issuance of $34,783,460 (see its second bond proposal), with $6,347,149.20 in state funding. The proposal will only go into effect if an additional spending proposal to provide for full-day kindergarten operating costs is approved at the November 2023 annual school election.
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 preliminary results as gathered from the offices of the county clerks and individual school districts. These results have not been certified.
Bergen County
Bogota Borough – The board of education is seeking authorization from voters to approve two bond proposals, both of which were approved.
In the first bond proposal question, the board is seeking authorization (a) to upgrade the electrical service and to undertake various improvements, alterations and renovations at E. Roy Bixby Elementary School and Lillian M. Steen Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to upgrade the electrical service and to undertake various improvements, alterations and renovations at Bogota Junior/ Senior High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) to undertake various improvements, alterations and renovations at Bogota Junior/Senior High School-Career Technical Building, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (d) to appropriate $12,720,621 for such improvements; and (e) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,720,621.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $12,245,621 (consisting of $3,519,237 for E. Roy Bixby Elementary School, $843,228 for Lillian M. Steen Elementary School, $3,806,031 for Bogota Junior/Senior High School, and $4,077,125 for Bogota Junior/Senior High School-Career Technical Building). The projects include $475,000 (consisting of $200,000 for E. Roy Bixby Elementary School, $25,000 for Lillian M. Steen Elementary School, $0 for Bogota Junior/Senior High School, and $250,000 for Bogota Junior/Senior High School-Career Technical Building) 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 41.3862% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.
Total bonding amount approved: $12,720,621
State funding: $5,067,997.20
Bond proposal question No. 2: This proposal, which was also approved by voters, will only go into effect if voters also approve bond proposal question No. 1.
The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations and renovations to the athletic facilities at Feigel Field in Bogota, including installation of new multipurpose fields, drainage improvements, relocation of the field house, storage building, and the grandstands, and the installation of new field lighting, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to appropriate $7,233,406 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,233,406.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $6,433,406. The projects include $800,000 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 41.3862% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.
Total bonding amount approved: $7,233,406
State funding: $2,662,542.27
Hillsdale Borough – REJECTED — The board of education is seeking authorization to undertake the following improvements (including related work) in the school district: demolition of the existing George G. White Middle School and the construction of a new middle school adjacent thereto, including site improvements and, if bond or note proceeds are available, the acquisition of new furniture, equipment and apparatus required for the new school (b) to expend funds not exceeding $82,724,265; and (c) to issue bonds or notes of the school district for the project in the principal amount not exceeding $82,724,265, thus using up $23,708,976.39 of the $66,709,635.25 borrowing margin previously available for other improvements.
The New Jersey Commissioner of Education has determined that the final eligible costs of the project are $13,565,898. The state, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-9, has approved debt service aid equal to 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs. The project includes $69,158,367 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner, or that are not otherwise eligible for state support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 7G-5 (g).
Total bonding amount proposed: $82,724,265
State funding: $5,426,359.20
Maywood Borough – APPROVED – The board of education is seeking authorization (a) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs and upgrades consisting of the acquisition and installation of a new fire alarm system, repairs to the roof, and HVAC upgrades, and to construct an addition at Memorial School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs and upgrades consisting of the acquisition and installation of a new fire alarm system, repairs to the roof, and HVAC upgrades, and renovations to the STEM lab at Maywood Avenue School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and (c) to appropriate $22,060,140, and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,060,140.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $18,239,502 (consisting of $9,186,282 for Memorial School and $9,053,220 for Maywood Avenue School). The project includes $209,924 for Memorial School and $0 for Maywood Avenue 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 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.
Total bonding amount approved: $22,060,140
State funding: $7,295,800.80
Saddle Brook Township – APPROVED — The board of education is seeking authorization (a) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Washington Elementary School, Helen I. Smith Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Long Memorial Elementary School and Coolidge School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Saddle Brook Middle/High School, including the acquisition and installation of an athletic turf field and lighting, fixtures, equipment and any site work; (c) to appropriate $14,441,787 for such improvements; and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $14,441,787.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $12,432,337 (consisting of $2,663,445 for Washington Elementary School, $799,311 for Helen I. Smith Elementary School, $455,044 for Franklin Elementary School, $344,433 for Long Memorial Elementary School, $5,117,604 for Saddle Brook Middle/High School and $3,052,500 for Coolidge School). The projects include $2,009,450 (consisting of $0 for Washington Elementary School, $0 for Helen I. Smith Elementary School, $0 for Franklin Elementary School, $0 for Long Memorial Elementary School, $2,009,450 for Saddle Brook Middle/High School, and $0 for Coolidge 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 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.
Total bonding amount approved: $14,441,787
State funding: $4,972,934.80
Middlesex County
Monroe Township – REJECTED — The board of education is seeking authorization to undertake as capital projects for lawful school purposes the following: (a) the construction of an addition to the Monroe Township Middle School and the partial renovation with alterations of the existing Monroe Township Middle School; (b) the construction of additions to the Monroe Township High School and the partial renovation with alterations of the existing Monroe Township High School; (c) the construction of an addition to the Applegarth Elementary School and the renovation of the existing Applegarth Elementary with alterations; and (d) at all schools mentioned above, any necessary infrastructure, improvements, upgrades, appurtenances, equipment, furniture and site improvements.
The board would be authorized to spend no more than $103,627,203, which shall be funded with bonds of the school district in the principal amount not exceeding $103,627,203. The state’s debt service aid percentage would equal up to 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the purposes financed with the bonds. The final eligible costs of said purposes as approved by the commissioner of education are $51,293,339. The Applegarth Elementary School project includes $3,932,500 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the commissioner of education. The Monroe Township Middle School and the Monroe Township High School projects include $0 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards development by the commissioner of education.
Total bonding amount proposed: $103,627,203
State funding: $20,517,335.60
Woodbridge Township – APPROVED — The board of education is seeking authorization to renovate and to construct an addition to the existing Avenel Street Elementary School #4&5 on Avenel Street in lieu of constructing and equipping a new Avenel Elementary School on Rahway Avenue, as previously approved by the voters at the March 10, 2020, referendum. The proposal question authorizes the board to use the bond proceeds originally issued to construct the new Avenel Elementary School to renovate and to construct an addition to the existing Avenel Street Elementary School #4&5. The proposal question does not authorize any additional debt. Therefore, no new tax dollars will be raised to pay for the project.
Specifically, the board is seeking authorization to (a) undertake various improvements, upgrades and renovations, and to construct an addition at Avenel Street Elementary School #4&5, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; and (b) to pay for the projects by changing the use of the $32,348,471 of bond proceeds originally approved by the voters at the March 10, 2020, referendum that were originally intended to be used to construct and to equip a new Avenel Elementary School at 1177 Rahway Ave., and to now use all of those proceeds for the project described in (a) herein. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $9,363,272. 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 would equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the project.
Total bonding amount approved: $32,348,471
State funding: $3,745,308.80
Morris County
Morris Plains Borough – APPROVED — The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) construct an addition at Mountain Way School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work (b) to undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs and upgrades to the restroom facilities at Morris Plains Borough School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures and equipment and (c) to appropriate $9,498,051, and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,498,051.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $2,295,426 (consisting of $37,761 for Mountain Way School and $2,257,665 for Morris Plains Borough School). The project includes $958,100 (consisting of $958,100 for Mountain Way School and $0 for Morris Plains Borough 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 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.
Total bonding amount approved: $9,498,051
State funding: $918,170.40
Riverdale Borough – APPROVED – The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs and upgrades and to construct additions at Riverdale Public School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment, field upgrades and any site work and (b) to appropriate $18,921,796, and to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,921,796.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $12,095,137. The project includes $1,862,267 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.
Total bonding amount approved: $18,921,796
State funding: $4,838,054.80
Washington Township – APPROVED — The board of education is seeking authorization to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School, Flocktown Elementary School, Old Farmers Road Elementary School, Walter J. Kossman Elementary School and Long Valley Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to appropriate $28,809,494 for such improvements; and (c) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,809,494. 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 final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $28,704,817 (consisting of $3,306,220 for Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School, $4,806,860 for Flocktown Elementary School, $2,361,813 for Old Farmers Road Elementary School, $6,749,800 for Walter J. Kossman Elementary School, and $11,480,124 for Long Valley Middle School). The projects include $104,677 (consisting of $94,090 for Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School, $0 for Flocktown Elementary School, $10,587 for Old Farmers Road Elementary School, $0 for Walter J. Kossman Elementary School and $0 for Long Valley Middle 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 support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A-7G-5(g).
Total bonding amount approved: $28,809,494
State funding: $11,481,926.80
Somerset County
The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District’s board of education was seeking authorization from voters to approve two bond proposals. Both were approved.
In the first bond proposal, the board is seeking authorization to (a) to provide for School Capital Infrastructure renovations, alterations, additions and improvements at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, including the Basilone Memorial Field Complex, Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Eisenhower Intermediate School, Hillside Intermediate School, Adamsville Primary School, Bradley Gardens Primary School, Crim Primary School, Hamilton Primary School, John F. Kennedy Primary School, Milltown Primary School, Van Holten Primary School, the Transportation Complex and the Wade Administration Building, including acquisition and installation of equipment and furnishings, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $120,580,869 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $120,580,869.
The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $108,277,866 (with $22,357,216 allocated to Bridgewater-Raritan High School, $21,877,362 allocated to Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, $10,315,660 allocated to Eisenhower Intermediate School, $14,245,554 allocated to Hillside Intermediate School, $4,844,164 allocated to Adamsville Primary School, $6,977,717 allocated to Bradley Gardens Primary School, $7,119,269 allocated to Crim Primary School, $6,390,275 allocated to Hamilton Primary School, $6,275,409 allocated to John F. Kennedy Primary School, $1,331,886 allocated to Milltown Primary School and $6,543,354 allocated to Van Holten Primary School). The proposed improvements include $2,688,711 allocated to Bridgewater-Raritan High School, $283,937 allocated to Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, $489,711 allocated to Eisenhower Intermediate School, $450,000 allocated to Hillside Intermediate School, $125,586.46 allocated to Adamsville Primary School, $545,345.66 allocated to Bradley Gardens Primary School, $81,452.64 allocated to Crim Primary School, $57,500 allocated to Hamilton Primary School, $206,580 allocated to John F. Kennedy Primary School, $147,700 allocated to Milltown Primary School, $184,555 allocated to Van Holten Primary School, $348,510 allocated to the Transportation Complex and $2,060,081 allocated to the Wade Administration Building for 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.
Total bonding amount approved: $120,580,869
State funding: $43,311,146.40
Bond proposal question No. 2: This bond proposal only goes into effect if both bond proposal No. 1 and this bond proposal No. 2 are approved by the voters at this election and an additional spending proposal to provide for full-day kindergarten operating costs is approved at the November 2023 annual school election.
In this second proposal, also approved by voters, the board of education is seeking authorization to (a) provide for facilities needed for a full-day kindergarten program and a middle school grade realignment, including renovations, alterations, additions and improvements at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Adamsville Primary School, Bradley Gardens Primary School, Crim Primary School, Hamilton Primary School, John F. Kennedy Primary School, Milltown Primary School and Van Holten Primary School, including acquisition and installation of equipment and furnishings, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $34,783,460 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $34,783,460.
The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $15,867,873 (with $9,903,144 allocated to Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, $990,678 allocated to Adamsville Primary School, $845,573 allocated to Bradley Gardens Primary School, $1,080,953 allocated to Crim Primary School, $1,008,365 allocated to Hamilton Primary School, $727,895 allocated to John F. Kennedy Primary School, $532,600 allocated to Milltown Primary School and $778,665 allocated to Van Holten Primary School). The proposed improvements include $1,133,000 allocated to Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, $72,000 allocated to Adamsville Primary School, $74,700 allocated to Bradley Gardens Primary School, $90,000 allocated to Crim Primary School, $72,000 allocated to Hamilton Primary School, $114,000 allocated to John F. Kennedy Primary School, $115,678 allocated to Milltown Primary School and $54,000 allocated to Van Holten Primary School for 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 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects.
Total bonding amount approved: $34,783,460
State funding: $6,347,149.20
Union County
Springfield Township — The board of education is seeking authorization from voters to approve two bond proposals, both of which were approved.
The first question seeks authorization to (a) undertake various improvements, alterations and renovations consisting of security upgrades, replacement of exterior doors and hardware, installation of new building management systems, HVAC upgrades, electrical upgrades and any necessary related remediation at Jonathan Dayton High School, Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center and James Caldwell Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment and any site work; (b) to renovate the student toilet rooms at Jonathan Dayton High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment and any site work; (c) to renovate the toilet rooms, and to repair and to renovate the music classroom at Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (d) to undertake various drainage and storm water improvements at Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center, including any site work; (e) to undertake plumbing improvements and renovate the toilet rooms and various classrooms at James Caldwell Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (f) to appropriate $18,878,356 for such improvements; and (g) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,878,356.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $18,708,756 (consisting of $7,202,494 for Jonathan Dayton High School, $5,770,974 for Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, $1,490,507 for Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, $1,978,231 for Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center and $2,266,550 for James Caldwell Elementary School). The projects include $169,600 (consisting of $36,000 for Jonathan Dayton High School, $38,500 for Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, $9,000 for Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, $13,500 for Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center and $72,600 for James Caldwell Elementary 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 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.
Total bonding amount approved: $18,878,356
State funding: $7,483,502.40
Bond proposal question No. 2: This proposal only goes into effect if bond proposal question No. 1 is also approved by the voters.
The board of education is seeking authorization (a) to install air-conditioning and to undertake any necessary related remediation and upgrades at Jonathan Dayton High School, Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center and James Caldwell Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various additional HVAC upgrades and renovate the gymnasiums at Jonathan Dayton High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment, and any site work; (c) to undertake various additional HVAC upgrades and to renovate the gymnasiums and the conference room at Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (d) to undertake various additional HVAC upgrades at Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, including acquisition and installation of equipment and any site work; (e) to appropriate $13,994,508 for such improvements; and (f) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $13,994,508.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $13,954,108 (consisting of $4,492,082 for Jonathan Dayton High School, $3,326,176 for Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, $2,646,100 for Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, $1,395,900 for Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center, and $2,093,850 for James Caldwell Elementary School). The projects include $40,400 (consisting of $30,000 for Jonathan Dayton High School, $10,400 for Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School, $0 for Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, $0 for Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center, and $0 for James Caldwell Elementary 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 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.
Total bonding amount approved: $13,994,508
State funding: $5,581,643.20