$28.8M Bond Referendum In Lacey: What's On The Ballot

LACEY, NJ — The Lacey Township School District will be trying again to get funding through a nearly $29 million bond referendum on the ballot this Election Day.

A three-question referendum earlier this year failed; this time, they're only asking one question, hoping to borrow $28,873,500 for upgrades and replacements.

Breaking that down, this amounts to $14.1 million for Lacey Township High School, $3.8 million for Lacey Township Middle School, $2.1 million for Cedar Creek School, $2.1 million for Forked River School, $1.3 million for Lanoka Harbor School and $5.5 million for Mill Pond School.

That money is for roof replacements at all schools except Lanoka, and HVAC improvements.

The district has said repeatedly over the last several months that these are important projects that need to be completed whether the referendum passes or not. The difference is that without the referendum they cannot utilize state aid, increasing taxpayer cost. The district may also have to do patchwork repairs instead of all at once, which could also increase the cost.

School officials say that state aid will cover up to 40 percent of the cost, a total of about $11.5 million. Officials also said that due to timing, there will be no tax increase.

"The district has timed the referendum to take place when a drop in debt service occurs," officials said. "If approved by voters, the new investment will replace some, not all, of the previous district issued debt."

You can see a sample ballot here.