Cranford voters approved a $75,031,992 construction proposal when they went to the polls Jan. 23, according to unofficial election results.
The New Jersey School Boards Association did not learn of any other districts with a construction question on the ballot.
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.
On its website, the district announced, “Unofficial results indicate that voters have approved the referendum for Cranford Public Schools. We appreciate the community’s support and are excited to begin these upgrades.”
A separate website highlighting the referendum noted, “The tally as of Tuesday night included 2,928 votes in favor and 2,138 opposed. The totals will be updated over the next few days as officials count mail-in ballots that were postmarked by the election date and verify provisional ballots. Updates will be posted on this website.”
The construction proposal is below.
Union County
Cranford: The board of education sought authorization to (a) to undertake the construction of an addition and various renovations, improvements and upgrades at Bloomingdale Avenue School, Brookside Place School, Hillside Avenue School and Walnut Avenue School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (b) to undertake various renovations, improvements and upgrades at Lincoln School, Livingston Avenue School, Orange Avenue School, and Cranford High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work; (c) to appropriate $75,031,992 for such improvements; and (d) to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $75,031,992.
The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the commissioner of education are $57,777,466 (consisting of $2,978,012 for Bloomingdale Avenue School, $3,021,132 for Brookside Place School, $10,487,528 for Hillside School, $2,717,860 for Walnut Avenue School, $3,875,898 for Lincoln School, $5,210,248 for Livingston Avenue School, $9,804,977 for Orange Avenue School and $19,681,811 for Cranford High School). The projects include $1,438,670 (consisting of $77,337 for Bloomingdale Avenue School, $1,331,333 for Brookside Place School, $0 for Hillside School, $30,000 for Walnut Avenue School, $0 for Lincoln School, $0 for Livingston Avenue School, $0 for Orange Avenue School and $0 for Cranford High 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: $75,031,992
State funding: $23,110,986.40