$21 Million Bond Referendum Vote Thursday In Greater Egg Harbor

GALLOWAY, NJ — On Oct. 6, voters in the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District will decide on a $21 million bond referendum.

If the bond passes, nearly $8.9 million of state aid would go towards the $21 million in improvements, district officials said.

District officials said that the tax rate would not increase overall because old debt is being paid off.

"The bond proposal would provide funding for $21 million in improvements, spread across all three of our high schools, with no tax increase," GEHR Superintendent James Reina and Board President Carol Houck said in a letter to parents dated June 28. "Proposed projects include new turf fields designed for multiple boys and girls sports, track repairs, tennis court resurfacing, and improved auditorium lighting and sound."

"GEHR is paying off the costs of a previous referendum, when voters took on a tax increase to invest in the future. The district can continue the existing tax rate and begin another slate of improvements," the GEHR Bond Referendum website said. "That approach keeps the tax rate steady, much like a family might finish paying off one car and shift the payments toward replacing an older car. There would be no increase to the current rate for GEHR debt tax."

The average homeowner in the district would see an annual property tax increase of $14.68 in Egg Harbor City, $20.04 in Galloway Township, $19.01 in Hamilton Township and $22.57 in Mullica Township, district officials said.

Improvements would primarily be for Absegami and Oakcrest, the two older schools, though Cedar Creek would also receive some updating. These would include improvements to athletic fields, auditoriums, walkways and more. You can see all of the proposed projects through the GEHR Bond Referendum website.

These projects would not just improve the schools but would also benefit the community, who use athletic fields and other amenities, according to district officials.

Renovations could start in June 2023 if approved, with the bulk of the work completed in the summers to avoid school disruptions.

Project costs for all three high schools are estimated at $21,013,875. State aid would contribute $8,871,487, which amounts to 42 percent of the improvements planned for GEHR schools. The district will put $1.25 million from its Capital Reserves toward project costs, which leaves the local share at $10,892,388, and GEHR says it can pay back that amount within the existing tax rate for school debt.

Registered voters who are residents of Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township or Mullica Township will vote on Oct. 6 at their Atlantic County poll sites from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.