School District Improvements Greenlit As East Brunswick Adopts Bond Ordinance

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Council on Thursday adopted a bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements to the local school district.

The total sum is $11,515,789, with the council authorizing $10,940,000 in bonds and notes. An aggregate sum of $575,789 will be paid as down payments.

The funds will go towards roof replacement, field turf replacement, PA systems, security and safety improvements, parking expansion and related site work, paving, milling, drainage, and various other health and/or safety improvements.

It will also include the acquisition of five passenger school buses, and camera system upgrades, scoreboard replacement and furnishing.

Councilman James Wendell expressed support for the bond despite concerns over the current turmoil within the Board of Education and the resignations of its members and superintendent.

Wendell questioned the urgency of the repairs and some capital expenditures, like a new scoreboard, but acknowledged the necessity of bonding at a lower interest rate for the benefit of taxpayers.

He said he supported a shared services agreement for bussing but suggested separating the bond ordinance from the bussing ordinance in future decisions.

During the roll call vote, Councilwoman Dana Winston abstained, with the remaining members supporting the ordinance.

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