Of the $62 million in school construction projects that voters were asked to consider January 25, residents in five districts approved projects totaling $42 million, while voters in one community rejected the remaining proposals. About $17.3 million (41 percent) of the approved projects will be funded through state grants, debt service aid, or a combination of both. Here’s how voters voted, according to unofficial results from the school districts or county clerk offices:
Edgewater Park (Burlington County) – passed (262 yes votes; 205 no votes)
Proposed: improvements to three schools, including resurfacing playground, renovating HVAC system, installing security cameras, replacing interior doors and improving Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility
Total amount: $16,169,208
State funds: $8,037,447
Lower Township Elementary School District (Cape May County) – passed (1,283 yes votes; 641 no votes)
Proposed: various improvements to three schools
Total amount: $5,121,473
State funds: $2,048,589
Lower Cape May Regional School District (Cape May County) – passed (1,356 yes votes; 911 no votes)
Proposed: new roofs, enhanced security, electrical upgrade at the middle and high school, locker room renovations and a new high school field house
Total amount: $6,367,963
State funds: $1,422,185
Readington (Hunterdon County) – passed (599 yes votes; 150 no votes)
Proposed: parking lot, driveway and/or entrance improvements to three schools
Total: $1,780,000
State funds: $712,000
Westfield (Union County) – both proposals passed
Proposal 1: Renovations, alterations and improvements at 10 schools, plus Kehler Field House and the Westfield Board of Education offices.
Total: $8,600,000
State funds: $3,440,000
(Passed – 1,393 yes votes; 597 no votes)
Proposal 2: Renovations, alterations and improvements to the auditoriums at Edison Intermediate and Roosevelt Intermediate schools.
Total: $4,000,000
State funds: $1,600,000
(Passed – 1,557 yes votes; 843 no votes)
Manasquan (Monmouth County) – both proposals failed
Proposal 1: Renovations, alterations and improvements to two schools, including an addition at Manasquan High.
Total: $15,434,873
State funds: $5,128,148
(Failed – 833 yes votes; 932 no votes)
Proposal 2: Athletic facility renovations, alterations and improvements at Manasquan High.
Total: $4,560,875
(Failed – 703 yes votes; 1,052 no votes)
In addition to the districts with bond questions, residents in Lakewood in Ocean County resoundingly shot down a $6.2 million tax hike proposal to pay for school busing. Approximately 98.6 percent of voters voted no on that question.
Source: PoliticoPro