The total project costs for the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state contributing $7,983,309, district officials said.Vianella Burns, Patch StaffMENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — Next month, residents will be asked to vote on one question on the ballot, looking to spend a total of an additional $26 million to fund critical improvements and updates around the West Morris Regional High School District.The vote, whic...
The total project costs for the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state contributing $7,983,309, district officials said.
Vianella Burns, Patch Staff
MENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — Next month, residents will be asked to vote on one question on the ballot, looking to spend a total of an additional $26 million to fund critical improvements and updates around the West Morris Regional High School District.
The vote, which was approved by the Board of Education in December, is scheduled for March 12.
According to district officials, if voters approve the referendum, both schools would receive significant similar upgrades, including air conditioning in all classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen upgrades, and roof and parking lot repairs
"West Morris Central and West Morris Mendham are sources of community pride for the towns that send to the district. Taking care of the infrastructure at both schools is a top priority for the Board of Education and the communities it serves," the district said.
The $26 million plan also includes updates to both schools' technology labs and the field house shower and storage facilities. The West Morris Mendham culinary arts room would be refurbished to improve student learning and meet student interest, and the public address system would be upgraded to match West Morris Central's.
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According to district officials, West Morris Regional is in the unique position of presenting voters with a plan that would decrease school debt taxes by about 35 percent.
Because the district is nearing the end of its debt payments from the last referendum, which was passed in 2004, if the current referendum is approved, taxpayers will pay less than they did before.
As a result, taxpayers would receive an average 35 percent reduction in the school debt part of their property tax bills.
The entire cost of the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state providing $7,983,309 to lower local school debt taxes. The state tax dollars, which residents of Morris County have already paid to the state, will only be given to the West Morris Regional High School District if voters approve the referendum.
Here is the tax breakdown for Mendham and Chester:
Community: | Average Assessed Value | Annual Cost Replacement Debt | Cost Savings Per Year |
Chester Borough | $520,000 | $66 | -$35 |
Chester Township | $660,000 | $123 | -$64 |
Mendham Borough | $695,000 | $121 | -$63 |
Mendham Township | $940,000 | $126 | -$66 |
At West Morris Mendham, the projects include:
Due to funding limits, neither the school's halls nor field houses will be air-conditioned, nor will West Morris Central's auxiliary gym. The district stated that they will utilize separate funds to add air conditioning to the field buildings in the future.
If voters pass the referendum, the district will be able to proceed with the next round of selling bonds and seeking competitive construction bids, which could begin as early as summer 2024 for certain projects.
Work would be scheduled in coordination with the district to keep the level of disruption to a minimum.
The projects are expected to be completed over three to four years.
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