Tuesday’s snowstorm affected school bond referendum voting in three New Jersey districts. However, voters who braved the storm in two South Jersey districts had the opportunity to cast ballots on construction proposals.
The Paulsboro Board of Education, in Gloucester County, and Sterling Regional High School district, in Camden County, went forward with voting. Paulsboro voters passed the district’s $8.1 million proposal, in two questions, while citizens in the Sterling district rejected $10.4 million in school improvements.
Voting was postponed in the Demarest and Saddle River districts in Bergen County, and Middlesex County’s South River district. The new referendum date for the three districts will be February 10.
In the five districts that were originally scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, there had been $36.5 million in school construction proposed, including school additions, roof replacements, security enhancements and athletic facility improvements. Most of the projects, if approved, would qualify to receive state funding to cover part of the cost, through grants or debt service aid or both.
Following is a summary of the five school construction proposals:
BERGEN COUNTY
DEMAREST: Postponed (Update: Referendum was rejected in a vote on Feb.10)
Expansion of Luther Lee Emerson School and Demarest Middle School, and renovation of County Road School.
Total amount: $9,649,732
State funds: $454,388
SADDLE RIVER: Postponed (Update: Referendum was approved in a vote on Feb.10)
Replacement and upgrade of HVAC system at Wandell Elementary School.
Total amount: $3,097,091
State funds: $1,238,836
CAMDEN COUNTY
STERLING REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT: Rejected
Improvements to Sterling High School, including roof replacement, HVAC replacement, new security doors, improvements to athletic and performing arts facilities.
Total amount: $10,423,215
State funds: $4,578,678
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
PAULSBORO: Both Questions Approved
Proposal 1: Various improvements to high school and elementary school.
Total amount: $7,000,198
State funds: $4,991,470
Proposal 2: Improvements to high school track and tennis courts, and elementary school baseball field and basketball court. Eligible for approval only if Proposal 1 passes.
Total amount: $1,123,750
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
SOUTH RIVER: Postponed (Update: Referendum was approved in a vote on Feb.10)
Various school improvements, including roof replacements and security upgrades.
Total: $5,222,111
State funds: $2,768,983