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OUR SCHOOLS
Three-minute read
Asbury Park Press
WEST LONG BRANCH -- The district is asking voters to decide in a referendum whether to borrow $51 million for upgrades and additions to Shore Regional High School next month.
But as the district pursues the funding, there remains the question of whether Sea Bright will stay in the district or join the newly formed Henry Hudson Regional School District with Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. If it does depart, that will likely impact the debt payments on the money the district is looking to borrow.
The three boroughs began exploring regionalization with a feasibility study in 2020 that showed cost savings for all three municipalities if they formed the regional district. A lengthy legal battle ensued between Oceanport, Shore Regional and Sea Bright, which ended last fall when an appeals court upheld a ruling that Sea Bright could withdraw from Oceanport and Shore Regional.
Whether it will is still up in the air. As of now, Sea Bright is in for the remainder of 2025. In order to leave, Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly said voters in Sea Bright, Atlantic Highlands and Highlands would have to hold a referendum vote.
"It is a possibility that may happen down the road. There are a lot of wheels in motion," said Kelly.
As far as the referendum goes, the district, which serves high school students from West Long Branch, Oceanport, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright, is looking for approval to borrow $51 million for several projects at the high school, parts of which date to the late 1950s. The district said $14 million will come from state aid, leaving local taxpayers to pick up the remaining $37 million.
Under the current funding formula, the referendum would cost the average taxpayer in Monmouth Beach an extra $312 a year; Oceanport $264; Sea Bright $408; and West Long Branch $348, to be paid back over 20 years.
The Asbury Park Press reached out to Shore Regional's superintendent and business administrator for a number on what it would cost taxpayers if Sea Bright left, but did not get an answer back.
Shore Regional is hosting a Referendum Information Forum at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at Shore Regional just off Route 36 in West Long Branch, where the public is encouraged to attend and ask questions. More information can be found at shoreregional.org/vote. The vote is March 11.
The money would be used to replace the high school's auditorium stage, gym floor and bleachers, and resurface the track and tennis courts. It would add a music/choir room, auxiliary gym, new multisport turf field and a new transportation office next to the turf field with a concession stand and restrooms. It will pay for upgrades to the Science and STEM labs, cafeteria and media center.
The funds would cover updating the building envelope, replacing selected HVAC units, replacement of the plumbing system, electrical panel and transformer and LED lighting upgrades.
Lastly, the district is looking to bring the school's safety and security features up to date. That work entails locker room alterations that are key to supervision and comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act standards and restroom renovations to comply with current ADA standards.
It includes moving the nurse’s office to the front of the building for easier exit and entering. A security vestibule to provide more secure entrances and renovations to the main office and a Board of Education office addition are also included.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; [email protected].