Upper Freehold to send $19.57 million renovation plan to voters on Dec. 11.
By: Mark Moffa
UPPER FREEHOLD The school board last week unanimously approved a resolution formalizing its intent to ask voters Dec. 11 if they will support a $19.57 million school renovation and expansion project.
The resolution, passed at a meeting Oct. 17, states the board will receive $5.91 million in state aid for the plan, leaving about $13.65 million to be funded by the school district.
Property tax impact projections done by consultant Anthony Pannella Jr. of Woodbridge showed the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $210,000 would pay an extra $66 in taxes for fiscal year 2002-03. An increase of $53 would occur the next year, and another a jump of $123 would be realized in 2004-05.
For the owner of a house in Allentown assessed at the borough average of $150,000, a $55 tax increase could be expected in 2002-03. Another $55 jump would be seen the next year and a final increase of $136 would occur in 2004-05.
Overall, township taxes on an average house eventually would increase $242, while taxes on an average borough house would rise $246. No more increases would be seen after the 2004-05 fiscal year.
The tax estimates assumed the district would have to bond for $13.5 million.
Planned additions to the high school include a new entrance and lobby near a paved 300-space student parking lot. The lobby would lead into a new gymnasium, which would sit near the present gym.
The existing main entrance and office area would become classroom space and a new main entrance would be created with offices and new classrooms hiding much of the current exterior.
The seating in the auditorium would be replaced under the current plan, and the room would be air-conditioned. The library would be transformed into a media center. New practice fields and a new track are planned as well.
In addition, two classrooms and two resource rooms would be added to the annex building, which would become home to fifth- and sixth-grade students.
New roofs would be installed on the schools, too.
The school board will hold public information sessions at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at the high school auditorium and another session 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at the elementary/middle school auditorium.
The public is invited and parents can attend either session, Superintendent Robert Connelly said.
The resolution passed last week contained the question to be asked of voters Dec. 11.
In the proposal, the school district will ask voters to allow it to perform the renovations and expansion work, to spend no more than $19,569,000 (including the state grant), and to borrow no more $13,654,295 the amount which be passed on to residents though school taxes.

