Voters approve all special school referendums

Five municipalities approved school improvement public questions in today’s special school elections.

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 Pitman, a ballot question on a $14.22 million school improvement project that would qualify for nearly $5.7 million in state funds, passed 895-428 (68%-32%).

A second public question includes $7 million in additional improvements, with $2.8 million funded by the state, passed 878-442 (67%-33%).

Voters in Princeton approved three bond proposals: the first for $37.9 million for alterations, renovations, and improvements to two schools with $8.8 million in state aid passed 2,075-1,3217 (61%-39%);  the second for $38.3 million with $5 million in state funding passed 1,973-1,410 (58%-42%); and a third for $12.9 million with $1 million in assistance from the state, 1,89-1,410 (56%-44%).

Two school improvement bond referendums in Mendham Borough passed: one for almost $10 million that would receive nearly $4 million in state funding, 701-203 (78%-22%); and another for $9.3 million that is not eligible for state funds, 601-300 (67%-33%).  The contest had a 20% turnout.

In Scotch Plains and Fanwood, voters passed a $44.8 million bond referendum that qualifies for $11.4 million in state funds, 3,090-2,402 (56%-44%), and a second public question that would spend another $1.1 million to increase the operating budget at one school, 2,968-2,526 (54%-46%).  Turnout was about 20%.

Vote tallies are unofficial and do not include late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots.

In the first month of 2025, New Jersey has already had five elections: special conventions to fill a State Senate seat in the 35th and for State Assembly seats in the 6th, 7th, and 35th districts, and today’s special school election.