On Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 voters in nine school districts will act on 15 school construction projects totaling more than $464.1 million. Cherry Hill in Camden County is making the largest request, a three-part, $210.8 million proposal for purposes such as upgrading security, building new multi-purpose rooms, and improving science labs, with the proposed construction benefitting nearly every school in the district.
North Bergen in Hudson County is making the second-largest request with a $65 million proposal to improve its high school facilities.
No new buildings are proposed. Some districts are seeking upgrades in security, and many are proposing roof repairs or new heating and cooling systems.
Dec. 11 is one of five dates during the year when school boards may ask voters to approve school construction proposals. Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, the state will fund at least 40 percent of eligible school construction costs through annual debt service aid. Construction projects in eight districts are eligible for state funds.
Here are the statewide figures gathered by the New Jersey School Boards Association from the offices of the county clerks for the upcoming election:
Statewide amount proposed – $464,106,692
State funding proposed– $160,328,190
(State reimbursement through annual debt service aid equaling at least 40 percent of eligible costs)
A synopsis of proposed construction projects follows:
Ramsey (Bergen County)
Renovation, upgrade and expansion of Ramsey High School facilities; security upgrades for Eric S. Smith Middle School, Dater, Hubbard, and Tisdale elementary schools. Construction of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms at Hubbard and Tisdale only if funds are made available for personnel and supplies.
Total amount: $42,915,930
State funds: $10,435,158
Maple Shade (Burlington County)
Proposal 1: Renovations and security upgrades for the Yocum Elementary School; construction of a single story, nine-classroom addition with security upgrades at the Wilkins Elementary School; security upgrades and improvements at the Steinhauer Elementary School; construction of a new auxiliary gym addition and renovations at Maple Shade High School.
Total amount: $43,037,999
State funds: $15,125,790
Proposal 2 (Contingent upon approval of Proposal 1): HVAC replacement and other upgrades at the Yocum, Wilkins, and Steinhauer elementary schools; other renovations, including installation of security vestibule at the main entrance and construction of new transportation office at the school district central offices.
Total amount: $6,742,813
State funds: $2,415,799
Cherry Hill (Camden County)
Proposal 1: A district-wide upgrade, renovation and expansion of schools including security upgrades and improvements; roof replacement and HVAC improvements and the addition of security vestibule entrances to Harte, Kingston, and Stockton elementary schools, and the Carusi and Rosa middle schools.
Total amount: $49,734,143
State funds: $18,757,043
Proposal 2 (Contingent upon approval of Proposal 1): A district-wide upgrade, renovation and expansion of schools including ceiling and lighting replacement, electrical upgrades, HVAC upgrades; conversion of cafeteria to music rooms and construction of a new cafetorium at Rosa Middle School. School-wide renovation and upgrades at Carusi Middle School including conversion of an all-purpose room to a cafeteria, and construction of new multi-purpose rooms at Barton, Kingston, Knight, Mann and Sharp elementary schools.
Total amount: 113,402,251
State funds: $40,155,155
Proposal 3 (Contingent upon approval of Proposals 1 and 2): District-wide upgrades, including renovated science labs and gymnasium at Carusi Middle School; renovated locker rooms at Carusi and Beck middle schools, and High School East and High School West. Auditorium upgrades at High School East, renovated science labs at High School West, athletic facilities improvements at High School East and High School West.
Total amount: $47,636,213
State funds: $17,233,635
North Bergen (Hudson County)
Purchase of land at Tonnelle Avenue and 85th Street, and additions, renovations and alterations to North Bergen’s East and West high school facilities. The district will use $4,958,000 from capital reserve to help fund the project and issue bonds for $60 million to finance the rest.
Total amount: $64,958,000
State funds: $25,482,501
Capital reserve: $4,958,000
Princeton (Mercer County)
An addition and renovations at Community Park Elementary School and improvements at Johnson Park, Littlebrook, and Riverside elementary schools, with additional improvements at the middle school and high school.
Total amount: $26,928,351
State funds: $8,671,364
Manalapan/Englishtown (Monmouth County)
Proposal 1: Additions and renovations at Lafayette Mills School, including acquisition and installation of furnishings, fixtures and site work.
Total amount $3,540,000
State funds: $36,000
Proposal 2: Renovations and improvements at the Clark Mills School, Dawes Early Learning Center, Lafayette Mills School and the Milford Brook, Pine Brook and Taylor Mills schools.
Total amount: $14,688,000
State funds: $5,875,200
Proposal 3: Renovations and improvements, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the Clark Mills and Lafayette Mills schools; the Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School and the Milford Brook, Pine Brook and Taylor Mills schools.
Total amount: $16,371,000
State funds: $6,548,400
Red Bank Regional High School (Monmouth County)
Proposal 1: Renovations, alterations and improvements at Red Bank Regional High School.
Total cost: $19,932,200
State funds: $5,153,800
Proposal 2 (Contingent upon approval of Proposal 1): Installation of artificial turf, restrooms and a concession stand at Red Bank Regional High School.
Total cost: $2,286,000
State funds: $624,000
Plumsted (Ocean County)
Renovations, alterations, and improvements at New Egypt’s high school, middle school, primary school and Woehr Elementary School.
Total cost: $9,535,862
State funds: $3,814,345
Lakeland Regional High School (Passaic County)
Installation of a synthetic turf football field and track resurfacing, with upgrade of athletic support facilities and fencing improvements.
Total cost: $2,397,930
State funds: $0.