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Already exceeding state capacity guidelines by 149 elementary students − and anticipating a dramatic enrollment surge − the Montville Board of Education will put a $70 million school renovation plan to a public vote on Dec. 12.
Should the referendum pass in full, property owners can expect to pay an extra $410 a year on their annual tax bill over the next 25 years, based on an average home price of $535,000.
Space is just one concern the district is trying to address. In addition to proposing the construction of 23 new classrooms, more funds would go to "stepped-up security" of two-stage entrances at five school buildings that do not have them now. The district also hopes to replace the original HVAC systems in some buildings with modern and more efficient heating and cooling equipment.
“Given these needs, the board determined that a bond referendum is the best tool for our district at this time,” Board of Education President David Modrak stated. “A referendum puts the decision in the hands of voters to decide the future of our schools.”
Development leads to enrollment surge
The district expects to serve an estimated 3,439 students in the upcoming school year in the high school, a middle school and five elementary schools. Not counting the referendum, the district is proposing a $92.1 million budget for the 2023-24 school year, an increase of $105,000 over the last year.
With new housing projects already in development adding nearly 1,000 units in Montvale, the district anticipates an increase of 410 elementary students by the 2027-28 school year.
"We have taken every step possible to maximize space," Superintendent Thomas Gorman wrote in a statement on Thursday following the board's unanimous referendum resolution vote on Aug. 22. “We are relying on these short-term methods with the recognition that the schools will continue needing space in the long term to support our educational services and programs.”
Voters will consider two questions
The referendum will be split into two questions for voters to decide. The first, focused on classroom construction, would cost $53 million. The second, focused on security and infrastructure, would cost nearly $17 million.
According to the terms of the resolution, Question 1 must pass for Question 2 to be approved. If voters reject Question 1 but approve Question 2, neither would pass.
Question 1: The board is proposing the construction of 23 new classrooms; the division of 14 classrooms into 28 rooms that are right-sized for small group instruction; and the addition of multi-purpose rooms at Hilldale, William Mason and Woodmont elementary schools.
"Other elementary schools in the district have these now, and they ease scheduling challenges in those busy buildings," Gorman explained in his statement. "Together, these proposed additions would meet MTPS needs that are driven by current enrollment, evolutions in the ways instructional space is used and projections for future enrollment.
Question 1 costs are estimated at $53,002,289. The board plans to contribute $6,575,000 from its capital reserve funds. State aid is committed for $3,671,775 toward these project costs. For a home with the average assessment in Montville Township, these improvements would increase taxes by $326 annually.
Question 2: This question proposes a total of $16,980,314 for infrastructure projects, mostly covering security and HVAC improvements. The state has committed $5,773,307 toward these projects. These improvements would cost the average property owner about $84 annually.
The district used regular operating funds this summer to create two-stage vestibule entrances at Cedar Hill Elementary School and Robert R. Lazar Middle School. These funds would add two-stage vestibules that would "continue the district’s efforts to keep schools secure," the referendum proposal reads.
School officials promised to explore additional security measures in February after a 19-year-old man entered Montville High School without permission and triggered a shelter-in-place order.
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Why go to a referendum?
Gorman's statement explained the referendum process, in which a school district seeks permission to borrow money through the sale of bonds. Property taxes are used to “buy back,” or pay for this method of borrowing as payments are spread out similar to the way a consumer uses a home improvement loan.
The upfront funding would let the district manage large-scale improvements that would be difficult to cover through the regular operating budget, he wrote.
“In addition, a referendum is a strategic way to fund projects because it’s the only route to a dedicated source of state aid," Gorman wrote. “Taxpayers across New Jersey contribute to this state aid, but it is only awarded to school districts where voters approved bond sales. A voter-approved bond referendum could bring some of that money back to Montville Township.”
What's next?
“After months of exploration, this spring we began sharing information about our district’s needs and the potential for a bond referendum,” Gorman stated. “With the board’s official action to move forward, we will accelerate our outreach with speaking engagements, a public presentation from the district’s architect, and a webinar-styled forum with Q&A. We are committed to offering multiple learning opportunities for the community now through December 12.”
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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