22 N.J. towns vote today in special school elections

It’s Election Day in New Jersey, again.  Voters in 22 municipalities will go to the polls today for special school elections that will accept or reject school construction projects totaling almost $231.3 million, and in some cases, to increase their budgets beyond the 2% cap.

The Educational Facilities and Construction and Financing Act of 2000 permits local school boards to get at least 40% of some school construction costs paid for by the state through annual debt service if voters approve the measure in a referendum.  New Jersey holds special school board elections in January, March, September, and December.

New Jersey has already had six elections this year: special conventions to fill a State Senate seat in the 35th, State Assembly seats in the 6th, 7th, and 35th districts, and Burlington County Commissioner; five municipalities held special school elections in January.

In Bloomingdale, voters will decide if they want to spend $22.6 million – $576,000 of it from the state – on school improvements.

The Caldwell–West Caldwell school district is proposing a $22.9 million school improvement project that’s eligible for $9.15 million in state dollars; if that passes, the local Board of Education wants an extra $13.4 million for the construction of the Colonel John M. McHugh Athletic Center at James Caldwell High School.  The state won’t fund any of that.

Voters in Flemington and Raritan must decide if the regional K-8 school district can raise and spend $2.4 million to retain about 30 teachers, staff, and security officers and avoid the elimination of some junior varsity and co-curricular sports.

In Freehold Township, voters are being asked to approve a $135.5 million school improvements and construction project that qualifies for $53.3 million in funding from the state.

Voters in Independence and Liberty will vote on a proposal from the Great Meadows Regional School District to spend $8 million on school alterations; the state would pick up $3.2 million of those costs.

A proposed $94.9 million school construction and renovation project in Lawrence qualifies for $13.8 million in state funding.

There are three bond proposal questions on the ballot in Lacey: $30 million for roof and HVAC repairs that is eligible for $12 million from the state; a $38 million HVAC upgrade project that would get $15.2 million from the state; and a $24.5 million; and a $25.5 million school improvement proposal that qualifies for $8.6 million in state funding.  The second proposal can only pass if voters approve the first, and the third is only eligible for voter approval if the first two pass.

Manville voters will decide if they want to spend $7.7 million on school upgrade projects that would receive $4.5 million from the state.

Voters in Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, and West Long Branch will decide if the Shore Regional High School District may spend $51.1 million on school improvement projects that would receive $16.6 million from the state.

North Brunswick voters seek $52.5 million for school improvements; $21 million would come from the state.  If that passes, voters can also approve a $11.3 million initiative that could receive $4.5 million in state aid.

There are two bond proposal questions on the ballot in Somerville:  a $23.2 million improvements initiative that would get the state to kick in $8.4 million – and, if that passes, a $20.8 million plan to build a new gymnasium at Somerville High School; that project is eligible for $199,000 from the state.

The South Amoy Board of Education wants voter approval for a $35.7 million school improvement project that qualifies for $10.65 million in state assistance.

In Southampton, voters will decide if they want to spend $14.1 million on school construction projects that would receive $3.55 million in state funding.

An $8.5 million school upgrade project in Warren Township would get $3.4 million in state funding if voters pass it.

West Deptford voters must approve an $89.9 million capital improvement bond referendum to receive $28 million in state funds.

There are two bond proposals on the ballot today in Willingboro: the first is a $49.7 million school improvement plan that would be eligible for $24.7 million from the state; the second – which can only be passed if the first measure is approved – would spend $49.7 million to build a new indoor athletics facility; that project is not eligible for state aid.