Community Forum On Washington Township Schools Referendum To Be Held

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The third community forum regarding the Washington Township School District’s Referendum 2023 will be held for all residents of Long Valley on Wednesday, March 1.

The school district established community forums to ensure that residents are fully informed about the projects associated with this referendum and have ample opportunity to share questions and feedback.

This informative session will be staged at Old Farmer's Road School, located at 51 Old Farmers Road, Long Valley, starting at 7 p.m.

The Washington Township School District is requesting funding for several district-wide renovation projects, which include infrastructure improvements, classroom renovation projects, and instructional additions, via a referendum vote that will be held on Tuesday, March 14.

"It has been the goal of the district through the past few years to address maintenance and technology needs as funds allow, so we are continually improving our facilities and technology," the district said in a statement. "However, there is a growing need across all the schools for significant capital improvements to address the overall safety and climate in our schools and enhance educational spaces to support greater integration of STEM learning opportunities across our curricula."

The referendum, which totals approximately $28 million, was first approved with a resolution at the board meeting on Dec. 13 and later approved by the state this year.

The state of New Jersey has approved funding for 40 percent of the $28.8 million referendum's total cost. If the referendum fails, the schools will not receive the $11 million in state aid.

School district officials have stated that whether or not the referendum passes, the items on the project list will eventually need to be addressed.

As part of its long-range facility planning, the district began the process by conducting a comprehensive facility assessment of all district buildings. The identified projects were then ranked as part of a cost-benefit analysis to determine which projects should be considered further.

The projects that resulted were submitted to the State Department of Education for approval and funding.

The chosen projects and final plan represent a comprehensive solution to the district's aging buildings and educational enhancements. If the referendum passes, the projects will be completed over two to three summers beginning in 2023.

The specific projects included in the referendum are as follows:

• Long Valley Middle School
  • Installation of a generator
  • HVAC upgrades inclusive of air conditioning & asbestos abatement of floor tile
  • Court renovations
  • Renovation of unused space for STEM program & PAC upgrades
  • Electrical upgrades
  • renovated public address system
  • New paving/sidewalks
  • Renovations to the Culinary Arts Room
• Flocktown-Kossmann Elementary School
  • Installation of air conditioning in Flocktown
  • HVAC upgrades include air conditioning in Kossmann
  • New boiler in Kossmann
  • New windows in Kossmann
  • Enhanced storage for classrooms in both buildings
  • Renovation of media center for the STEM program in both buildings
  • Electrical upgrades in both buildings
  • Roof replacement in both buildings
  • New paving/sidewalks
• Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School
  • Renovation of Media Center for STEM program
  • New paving/drainage enhancements
  • Rebuilt front pillars & steel painting
  • Outdoor upgrades
• Old Farmer's Road Elementary School
  • ADA access for the playground
  • New paving/sidewalks
  • Enhanced storage for classrooms
  • Renovation of media center for STEM program

In terms of the public impact of the referendum vote, the district anticipates little impact on taxpayers. The existing debt service from the 2003 referendum will be paid off in July 2023, and since the district has no other long-term debt; the new debt will replace the old debt.

It is anticipated that no additional taxes will be required to cover the local share of the debt service.