By KAREN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer
HAZLET-Township residents on Dec. 13 passed the special referendum to improve the school buildings in Hazlet.
The results recorded with 1,139 yes and 360 to no in a referendum that will provide a $43.7 million bond that will be used for renovations to the eight public schools in Hazlet. This will come at no extra expense to the residents since there will be no tax increase for the homeowners to absorb.
Schools Superintendent Bernard Bragen was thrilled with the results.
”We are extremely grateful for the overwhelming support demonstrated by our school community in passing of our bond referendum. This will bring to fruition the hard work of the Board of Education in providing optimal learning environments for our students and enables the district to remain true to its mission of “Educating our students to achieve their maximum potential .”
He then added:
“We cannot thank our parents enough for their continued support of the Hazlet Township Public Schools.”
The improvements and renovations will include new heating systems and air conditioning for all of the classrooms in the district outside of Raritan High School, which had its systems replaced recently. The passing of this bond referendum will also fund the replacement of older roofs, interior security doors and classroom windows in some of the buildings, repair parking lots, renovate bathrooms, update lighting and ceilings in the classrooms, and make various needed safety improvements.
All local costs will come from the reallocation of capital project funds into debt service funds.
The Hazlet Township School District encompasses eight school buildings, serves approximately 3,000 students and employs over 425 teachers and staff.