POLL: Will You Attend a BOE Community Forum Meeting Prior to Voting on Jan. 24?

The Fort Lee Board of Education holds the second of three community forums Tuesday evening on its $30.2 million school bond referendum, the fate of which Fort Lee voters will determine in a special election on Jan. 24.

The community forum meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at the .

On Wednesday, the BOE will also lead another public walking tour of Fort Lee schools. The tour meets at 11 a.m. at the at 255 Whiteman St.

The series of community forums and walking tours is part of an effort on the part of school officials to convince undecided voters that the infrastructure repairs and upgrades and other improvements, including boiler, roof and window replacements and masonry repairs, the plan is designed to address are critically needed.

“The new referendum plan is a total cost of $30.2 million, but positives in this difficult economic climate are that construction costs and interest rates are at historic lows, and we have been offered a $9.7 million dollar grant from the State, which directly reduces taxpayer costs,” says a letter from the school board posted on the BOE’s special “Bond Referendum 2012” website.

The letter goes on to say that “the offer” of state grant funding is only good through February 2012, and that the money will be “permanently lost” if the referendum fails.

“A ‘yes’ vote will authorize the sale of approximately $20.4 million in bonds as the district's local share of the costs,” according to the school board. “A ‘no’ vote will ultimately result in a higher burden of costs for school improvements borne by the district, as there will be no state aid to offset costs, and projects may need to be completed as emergency repair projects at higher costs.”

Now we want to hear from you. Take our polls below, and elaborate in the comments if necessary.