Voters pass referendum

Construction to begin this summer, school board officials say
By nicole c. vaccaro
Staff Writer

by a margin of 2-to-1

Construction to begin this summer, school board officials say
By nicole c. vaccaro
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — Residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Board of Education’s proposed $16,100,451 renovations to Churchill Junior High School in last week’s referendum vote.

In total, 14.45 percent (4,156) of the township’s 28,347 registered voters visited the polls, voting in favor of the referendum by a vote of 2,825 to 1,331, according to Community Relations Director Jennifer Forbes.

"We are really very proud that the community recognized the need for and supported this proposal," said Forbes.

"High enrollment and deteriorating facilities really make this project a necessity for the district," she added.

Forbes also believes that the state’s contribution of $10,733,633 may have played a role in the way the vote went.

"I think [voters] realized that we ran the risk of not getting the same [40 percent in] aid from the state if we did not vote in favor of this now," Forbes added.

School officials estimate the approved referendum will cost taxpayers $100.50 annually in additional taxes for a home assessed at $150,000.

"The promise from the state to fund 40 percent of the project greatly eases the burden for East Brunswick taxpayers," Superintendent Jamie Savedoff said in a recent statement.

Architect Jeff Venezia, New Brunswick, has begun drafting the official blueprints. Upon completion, the drawings will be sent to county and state officials for approval.

Once everything is squared away with the state, the business administrator will start the bond selling process.

"We plan to start construction on the central wing [connector core] this summer once school is out," said Forbes.

"This will continue throughout the school year, but only when students are not using the classrooms," Forbes explained.

The rest of the renovations, Forbes added, should be completed by September 2003, just in time for the students’ return to school.

At that point, the facility will feature a connector core with new gymnasium and cafetorium.

There will also be additions to the existing layouts that will include a band room, science classrooms and laboratories, and guidance and administrative offices.