Some New Jersey voters to consider school improvements

Eight South Jersey school districts are among 21 statewide that are asking voters to approve building and capital improvement projects in referendums Tuesday, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Some districts are part of a continuing trend of security upgrades since the 2012 school shootings in Newtown, Conn. More than half of the 21, including Cinnaminson, Moorestown, Haddon Township, Glassboro, and West Deptford, are proposing enhanced security measures, according to the association.

Acknowledging voters' financial stresses, quite a few district officials have been urging residents to allow the schools to take advantage of available state funding and low interest rates and construction costs to do what in some cases is long-needed work.

"This is an opportunity that may never occur again," Cinnaminson Superintendent Salvatore Iluzzi said.

Cinnaminson has three proposals. The first is for $33,298,157, eligible for $11,797,300 in state aid for improvements and renovations to all four schools, including secure vestibules, new classrooms, roof replacement, heating and air-conditioning upgrades, and security and telecommunication upgrades at the high school, and fire alarm and sprinkler systems at some buildings. It would raise taxes $199.59 a year on a $231,795 home, the average assessment.

A second proposal, which requires approval of the first, is $6,750,125 for a new high school gymnasium. That would raise taxes $62.49 on the average home.

The third, which requires approval of the first two, is $750,000 to construct tennis courts at the high school. It would raise taxes $6.91.

Beverly's proposal is for $2,723,661, eligible for $1,691,925 in state aid, for boiler, heating and air-conditioning, and window replacement. It would raise taxes $99 a year on a home at the average assessment of $129,000.

Moorestown has two proposals. The first calls for renovation, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of existing building systems at six facilities, including new roofs, heating and air-conditioning systems, security enhancements, and technology upgrades. It authorizes borrowing $37,651,091 and is eligible for $13,784,436 in state aid. Due to retiring debt, the taxes on a home at the average assessment of $445,716 would decrease by $2.55.

Proposal Two, which requires passage of Proposal One, is for $5,236,913 for renovations to the athletic complex, including artificial turf, improvement to the high school theater, and paving at several schools. It would increase taxes on the average assessment by $39.63 a year.

Southampton's is for $7,535,000 for air-conditioning systems at three schools and an emergency generator. It is eligible for $3,014,000 in state funds. It would raise taxes $82.63 a year on the average assessment, $191,900.

Haddon Township's first proposal calls for $40,221,527 for roofing, heating and air-conditioning upgrades, safety and security enhancements, and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance. It would be eligible for $14,346,506 in state aid. It would raise taxes on the $223,000 average assessment by $264.03.

The second, which requires passage of the first, calls for $4,543,750 to do major upgrades to athletic facilities and disabilities act compliance. It would raise taxes $46.22 on the average assessment.

Delsea Regional's first proposal is for $20,781,875 to add six rooms to the middle school to reduce out-of-district placements, heating and air-conditioning upgrades at the high school and middle school, window and door replacement, and new lighting and floors. It would be eligible for $10,200,854 in state funds. Due to retiring debt, the owner of a Franklin Township home assessed at the average of $185,678 would pay $3.12 less a year, and on Elk Township's $201,201 average the tax would decrease by $3.13.

The second proposal, which requires the first to pass, is for $1.5 million for concessions and restrooms at the athletic field. That would raise taxes on the average by $11.79 in Franklin and $11.60 in Elk.

The third, which requires passing the first and second, is for $1.63 million for artificial turf improvements. That would raise taxes $12.78 in Franklin and $12.68 in Elk.

Glassboro is seeking approval of $26,900,450 for improvements to four schools, which include roof replacement and repair, education-related technology upgrades, secure-entry vestibules, and security cameras. It is eligible for $12,633,294 in state aid. The owner of a home assessed at the average of $187,567 would pay $162 more a year.

West Deptford's first proposal calls for $16,784,065 to improve five school buildings, including security upgrades and energy-efficient enhancements, and an early childhood addition to an elementary school. Those projects would be eligible for $5,157,375 in aid. Taxes on a home assessed at the average of $203,319 would rise $76.76 a year.

Proposal Two, which requires passage of the first, is $1.28 million for artificial turf fields at the high school. It would raise taxes $8.41 a year.