In special school referendums, 7 projects pass, 4 fail

Voters in seventeen New Jersey municipalities went to the polls on Tuesday to vote in thirteen special school referendums to authorize capital projects.

Under the Educational Facilities and Construction and Financing Act, the state will pick up at least 40% of eligible constructions costs if local voters approve the measure in a public referendum.

Three school districts soundly rejected bond referendums after an unusually high voter turnout in a March special school election.

In Wayne, a plan to spend $45.9 million on school renovations and improvements was defeated, 3,018-5,076 (37%-63%)  turnout was 19%.

The Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional High School District shot down a $29.5 million plan to to add a major addition to the local high school in a vote of 570-1,216 (32%-68%).  Because the first ballot question was not approved, two others proposing  an additional $19.8 million in spending could not move forward.  Turnout was nearly 17%.

Nearly 20% of voters in Greenwich (Warren County) turned out to reject a $6 million bond proposal by a vote of 332-565 (37%-63%). 

Voters in Haddon Township supported a $30.6 million bond issue by a nearly 2-1 margin: 1,751-936 (65%-35%) after 21% of voters turned out to vote. 

In Robbinsville, voters approved an increase in their tax levy to take the local school budget $2.75 million over their cap by a vote of 1,549-1,364 (53%-47%). 

Fairview passed a $25 million bond referendum, 351-127 (73%-27%), with turnout at 8%.

A $38 million school construction project in Little Ferry won voter approval by a 56%-44% margin, 431-240.  Turnout was 12%.

In Palmyra, a proposal to spend $18 million to renovate and upgrade two local schools was approved, 655-400 (62%-38%) in a special school election attracting a 13% turnout.

Voters in Roseland supported a $12.5 million bond issue by a 3-1 margin, 73%-27%, 615-230.  A total of 14% of local voters showed at the polls,

A referendum to spend $15 million on school improvements in Boonton Township failed by a vote of 404-521 (78%-22%). 

West Morris Regional High School District voters, which includes the Chesters, the Mendhams, and Washington Township, passed a $26 million bond issue by a 2-1 margin, 1,523-775 (66%-34%).