Chatham Schools May Ask Voters To Fund Security Improvements

CHATHAM, NJ — The school district may be putting a second question on November’s election ballot to create six security vestibules, officials clarified at Monday's Board of Education meeting.

Bradley Smith, chair of the board's finance committee, has put forward a second question for the general public to vote on in the November elections due to the fact that Chatham will be unable to use the surplus COVID-19 funds in the budget for the upcoming year.

"There simply was not enough money left over for things such as facilities. That's why we are going to the voting public on that second question for the security vestibules, which we feel are very, very, very important at this time, for obvious reasons," Smith said.

The second question would ask for approval of $850,000 to upgrade the six school buildings in the district with security vestibules.

If this question is approved, the 1.23 percent budget increase for the first question will be permanent, with any additional funds raised going toward future capital improvement projects.

Some residents were concerned about the mention of a permanent tax increase and wondered why the project could not be presented as a referendum with a one-time tax increase.

The board discussed this issue further, stating that one of the main problems with instead using a referendum is that, if it were to fail, the board would not be able to then use money in the capital reserve fund to pay for the project.

"The security vestibules, in particular this year, we felt were of immediate importance and needed to be done," Smith said. Chatham Superintendent Michael LaSusa previously said that none of the schools in the district have two sets of mechanical doors that can be locked and unlocked electronically.

A benefit of the permanent tax increase is that all future funds generated by it will be able to be directed toward other district improvements, potentially reducing the need for a future referendum.

Board vice president Ann Ciccarelli stressed the importance of clear communication between the district and all residents as the election approaches in order to avoid any confusion about the tax increase.

"I have a feeling that there are going to be other people who are going to be questioning the same thing. I think we need to be very clear on how the second question is worded: that it's not just about the security vestibules; it's about the security vestibules now, but in the future, it may be about other projects. I think you're going to have a lot of people who are going to wonder," Ciccarelli said.

LaSusa reminded the public that no official decisions on the second question have been made and that more information will be released to the community as the November election approaches.