School districts all over New Jersey voted on bond referenda on Tuesday, March 8.
School districts all over the state held special school elections Tuesday evening to vote on millions of dollars in educational funding. Projects ranged from artificial turf fields to multi-story additions and facility upgrades. Below are the results, organized by county.
Note: This list will be updated as results are returned.
Voters in Middle Township were asked to decide on $21.3 million in new classrooms, a new gymnasium and a new health office, as well as a new transportation building and structural repairs throughout the district. A second question, with a total cost of $3.3 million, would pay for athletic and recreational upgrades, including new grass fields, concessions, storage and restrooms, along with parking upgrades.
By 9:35 p.m., just 117 votes had been cast. Question 1 passed with 78 assenting votes to 38 dissenting, while Question 2 passed by a vote of 72 to 43.
Voters in the Haddonfield public school district were presented with a $33.7 million bond. The funding, spread out over two questions, included one $30.2 million proposal for security and HVAC upgrades, along with widespread structural work in the district. A second $3.6 million question sought to add air conditioning to portions of academic buildings.
Voters served by the Deptford Township, Monroe Township and Kingsway Regional school districts voted on a total of $125 million in bond referenda. The Kingsway district sought $12 million, Monroe Township voted on $15 million and Deptford, with far and away the largest bond, sought $97 million.
The Matawan-Aberdeen school district had two proposals. One reserved $13.4 million for various improvements and the replacing of HVAC systems at the Cambridge Park Elementary School, the Cliffwood Avenue Elementary School, the Matawan Regional High School, the Lloyd Road Elementary School, the Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School, the Ravine Drive Elementary School and the Strathmore Elementary School.
The second bond proposal, which would only go into effect if the first proposal is approved, would authorize an additional $6.4 million in HVAC improvements at the aforementioned schools.
Residents served by the Eagleswood school district were asked to decide on two proposals: one for $2,815,510 for site improvements and renovations, and a second proposal of $1,577,000 for a building addition. The second proposal was contingent upon voters approving the first.
The Island Heights school district voted on $2,992,252 in various improvements and renovations to Island Heights Elementary School.
Both the Island Heights and Eagleswood proposals passed.
Somerset County referenda included an $18.5 million spending plan in Montgomery Township, a $2 million referendum in Hillsborough Township and a $941,000 referendum for the Watchung Hills Regional High School district.
The Lopatcong Township school district asked voters to decide on $600,000 in funding to retain eight teaching positions and programs, maintain class size and add to its fund balance next year.