BY Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
The first things that school officials want the public to know about Tuesday’s $2 million bond-approval referendum are that:
A. The middle school parking really needs the $1.2 million in redesign, repairs and repaving, and
B. The high school artificial turf football field is ending the life of its safe life.
The next thing the school wants the public to know is a ‘yes’ vote won’t increase future tax bills on local property owners.
And that’s pretty much the third, fourth and fifth points, too.
The Board of Education says the two projects must get done, but characterize the bond-approval request as a way to get 40 percent of the cost paid by state debt service aid and lessen the burden on local property owners.
But the school can only qualify for aid to reduce debts by actually borrowing money first. So it is asking voters for approval to take out a short-term note for just enough time — something like a year — until Trenton writes the check it has told the local school district it would.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are fewer polling sites than a primary or general election, so voters should check their sample ballot for the correct site, or call the Township Clerk at 908-369-4313 or school board at 908-431-6600.
The total estimated project cost of $2,034,509 is eligible to receive about 40 percent ($813,804) of the total project costs in debt service aid from the state.
The balance of the money ($1,220,705) will come from a reserve account the school board has accumulated in anticipation of these projects.
Superintendent Jorden Schiff has said that it’s likely that bids for both of the projects will come in less than the estimates on the ballot. The board has said estimated costs are $1.426 million for the parking lot redesign and repair, and $608,000 for the field.
Dr. Schiff has been talking to community, school and sports group about the referendum. He’s been emphasizing that the artificial turf field is nearing the end of its useful life and must be replaced to protect kids on school and community sports teams. He’s also noting that the field is used by a variety of community groups, as well as for physical education classes, marching band competitions and numerous other things.
The turf field project includes the removal and replacement of the artificial turf. No work would be done on the running track.
The parking lot project will include the demolition of the pavement and utilities for the construction of a new drainage system to move potentially damaging water off the pavement, traffic flow improvements and repaving of the surface of the lot. These improvements to the parking lot will allow middle school pick-up and drop-off to occur in front of the building rather than at the neighboring Triangle Elementary School.
State law requires a school board to request permission from the voters via referendum to incur debt to be eligible to receive the debt service aid. This debt will be a one-year note taking advantage of prevailing low interest rates. Without approval, the district cannot receive state funding.
Dr. Schiff likened the state aid at the last school board as “similar to a 40-percent off coupon.”
In any event — even if the referendum fails — the turf field refurbishing will be accomplished this summer in order for the field to be used in the fall, said Dr. Schiff. The work on the ragged parking lot at the middle school would also be done this summer, if the referendum passes.
Details and referendum information is available on the district website at www.htps.us/referendum2016.
