On Tuesday, Sept. 28, voters in four school districts will act on spending proposals totaling nearly $96,620,339.
The Wenonah Board of Education in Gloucester County will be asking voters to approve renovations, alterations and improvements at Wenonah Elementary-Middle School; Mine Hill’s Board of Education in Morris County will be asking voters to approve various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Canfield School; Wallkill Valley Regional High School District in Sussex County is asking voters to undertake improvements to the Wallkill Valley High School; and Rahway School District in Union County is requesting voters to approve three bond proposals for school capital projects.
Sept. 28 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% of eligible school construction costs through annual debt service aid. Proposed construction projects in all four school districts are at least partially eligible for state funds.
Here are the statewide figures gathered by the New Jersey School Boards Association from the respective offices of the county clerks:
Statewide amount proposed: $96,620,339
State funding proposed: $41,228,690
A synopsis of the proposed spending plans follows:
Wenonah (Gloucester County) This plan includes renovations, alterations and improvements at Wenonah Elementary-Middle School, as well as the acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment, site work and related costs.
Total amount: $2,996,964
State funds: $1,198,786
Mine Hill (Morris County) The spending proposal addresses various improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades at Canfield School, including acquisition and instillation of fixtures, furniture, equipment and any site work.
Total amount: $4,958,240
State funds: $1,840,668
Wallkill Valley Regional (Sussex County) The plan includes auditorium renovations; HVAC, shop room and fire alarm upgrades; locker replacements and site improvements including at the football field and the tennis courts.
Total amount: $5,300,000
State funds: $1,797,694
Rahway (Union County)
Proposal 1: Critical capital improvements to the building interior and envelope and building system upgrades, safety and security, involving alterations, renovations and improvements, new construction and roofing at Franklin Elementary School, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, the 7th and 8th Grade Academy and Rahway High School, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work.
Total amount: $38,714,049
State funds: $16,738,135
Proposal 2: (Contingent upon approval of Proposal 1): Additional capital improvements related to interior building reconfiguration impacting gym, art and educational space and playground, parking, driveway and bus drop off improvements at Franklin Elementary School, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, the 7th and 8th Grade Academy and Rahway High School, including renovations, alterations, improvements, fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work.
Total amount: $39,407,833
State funds: $17,038,095
Proposal 3 (Contingent upon approval of Proposal 1): Mechanical improvements at Franklin Elementary School, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, Madison Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School consisting of renovations, alterations, improvements, fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work.
Total amount $6,049,019
State funds: $2,615,312