$92M Bond Referendum For Lacey Schools In Store: What's On The Ballot

LACEY, NJ — Residents of Lacey Township will head to the polls on March 11, 2025 to vote in a special election that will determine whether or not the school district can get state aid to fund a variety of facility improvements and projects.

There are three questions on the bond referendum, with the projects totaling $92 million. Question one needs to be approved for questions two and three to go into effect.

Question One

This question asks to appropriate $29,958,000 for roofing replacements at every school in the district and HVAC upgrades at the middle and high schools. This includes the removal of aging solar panels and installation of stronger insulation. HVAC upgrades include installation of new rooftop units.

There would be no school tax increase. This is because the district is timing the election to coincide with them paying off existing debt.

If approved, the state would pay 40 percent of this cost, according to the resolution allowing the vote approved by the Board of Education. That resolution, which can be read here, also shows how the questions will appear on the ballot.

Question Two

This question focuses on HVAC upgrades districtwide. It asks to appropriate $37,975,480 and would install HVAC systems across the schools, some of which currently have no air conditioning.

State aid will also cover 40 percent of this cost. It would have a tax increase. For the average Lacey homeowner with a house assessed at $287,011, it would cost an extra $12 a month, school officials previously said.

Question Three

This question seeks a variety of upgrades across the district, along with the installation of a new synthetic turf field at the high school. It asks to appropriate $24,544,500.

The other upgrades in this question include paving at various schools and bathroom upgrades.

The state will cover 40 percent of this. It would have a tax increase. The average homeowner will pay an extra $8 a month.

Why A Bond Referendum?

The district says a referendum is needed to get the funding for these projects immediately. Also, by putting it in a referendum, the district is able to utilize state funding that would otherwise be unavailable.

You can learn about the referendum here.