Results of today’s special school elections

In today’s special school elections, voters in fourteen municipalities approved school improvement bond referendums while rejecting them in six towns – and two municipalities voted down proposals to spend more than their 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.

In Bloomingdale, voters approved a plan to spend $22.6 million – $576,000 of it from the state – on school improvements, 737-430.

The Caldwell–West Caldwell school district won voter approval for a $22.9 million school improvement project that’s eligible for $9.15 million in state dollars, 2,411-886, but rejected spending an extra $13.4 million for the construction of the Colonel John M. McHugh Athletic Center at James Caldwell High School that the state would not fund (Yes: 1,193; No: 2,104).

Voters in Flemington and Raritan rejected a proposal for the regional K-8 school district to 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 (Yes: 2,183; No: 2,745).

In Freehold Township, voters appear to have narrowly approved a $135.5 million school improvements and construction project that qualifies for $53.3 million in funding from the state, 1,394-1,300.

Voters in Independence and Liberty appear to have narrowly approved a proposal from the Great Meadows Regional School District to spend $8 million on school alterations, 286-349; the state will pick up $3.2 million of those costs.

A proposed $94.9 million school construction and renovation project in Lawrence that qualifies for $13.8 million in state funding passed, 2,641-1,790.

Three bond proposal questions on the ballot in Lacey were rejected: a plan to spend $30 million for roof and HVAC repairs that is eligible for $12 million from the state (Yes: 2,640; No: 2,876); a $38 million HVAC upgrade project that will get $15.2 million from the state (Yes: 2,002; No: 3,472); and a $24.5 million; and a $25.5 million school improvement proposal that qualifies for $8.6 million in state funding (Yes: 1,609; No: 3,873).

By a large margin, Manville voters approved spending $7.7 million on school upgrade projects that will receive $4.5 million from the state, 403-160.

Voters in Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, and West Long Branch overwhelmingly rejected a plan to allow the Shore Regional High School District to spend $51.1 million on school improvement projects that will receive $16.6 million from the state, with 2,116 voters (81%) voting no and 493 voting yes.

North Brunswick voters approved a referendum to spend $52.5 million for school improvements — $21 million will come from the state – 1,837-557; voters also approved a $11.3 million initiative that will receive $4.5 million in state aid, 1,828-562.

Two bond proposal questions on the ballot in Somerville passed: a $23.2 million improvements initiative that will get the state to kick in $8.4 million (Yes: 1,058; No: 338); and a $20.8 million plan to build a new gymnasium at Somerville High School project is eligible for $199,000 from the state, 788-601.

The South Amoy Board of Education’s bid for voter approval for a $35.7 million school improvement project that qualifies for $10.65 million in state assistance was unsuccessful: No: 829; Yes: 365.

In Southampton, voters approved spending $14.1 million on school construction projects that will receive $3.55 million in state funding, 837-772.

An $8.5 million school upgrade project in Warren Township that will get $3.4 million in state funding passed 822-424.

West Deptford voters approved an $89.9 million capital improvement bond referendum which will receive $28 million in state funds, 1,655-1,125.

There are two bond proposals in Willingboro passed: a $49.7 million school improvement plan that will be eligible for $24.7 million from the state was approved, 1,572-748; and a second public question to spend $49.7 million to build a new indoor athletics facility without eligibility for state aid, was approved, 1,325-1,054.

Today was New Jersey’s seventh Election Day of 2025, following 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.