A $16.7 million bond referendum that proposed improvements to Keyport High School and Keyport Central School has been approved by voters.
The vote on the Nov. 6 referendum was 1,364 “yes” votes to 955 “no” votes, according to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office. The results are unofficial until they are certified by the county.
The Keyport Central School, which educates students in preschool through eighth grade, and Keyport High School, grades nine through 12, will see repairs and upgrades completed.
According to the school district’s website, the enhancements and repairs will create a safer environment for students.
Among the work proposed in the referendum were repairs to walls at Keyport Central School and Keyport High School to reduce future structural problems and limit the potential for water infiltration; replacement of classroom door hardware with intruder function locksets at both schools for additional security; replace concealed spline ceilings with suspended acoustical ceiling systems for a safer, more structurally sound ceiling system.
Also, replace window sills to allow for a safer environment; outdated vinyl asbestos tile has been identified and needs to be replaced to reduce the amount of hazardous material in the schools; replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at both schools to provide for a reliable energy efficient system; upgrades to a full hot water system to provide for increased reliability, better space temperature control and eliminate leaking.
Also, upgrades to replace the existing fire alarm system at both schools with a code compliant fire alarm voice evacuation system; upgrades to replace outdated electrical panels to bring the systems up to code; the installation of light-emitting diode lights in both schools.
The owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $255,351 is expected to pay $160 more annually in school taxes for 20 years with the passage of the referendum, according to district administrators.
The exact increase in school taxes a property owner will pay will depend on the assessed value of his home and/or property.
State aid is anticipated to cover 40 percent ($6.48 million) of the project’s eligible costs of $16.2 million, district administrators said.