Manalapan-Englishtown School District Proposing Bond Referendum

MANALAPAN, NJ — The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District's Board of Education is proposing a $115.4 million bond referendum to improve school safety and security, accessibility and cost efficiency that will appear on the November ballot.

With voter approval, officials said this referendum would unlock $36.7 million in state aid.

“Completing projects with the help of state aid allows the district to move away from a repair-as-we-go approach and return to a more sustainable, proactive strategy,” district officials said.

According to the district, the bond referendum will allow building upgrades to be completed while spreading the costs over time and unlocking state aid toward project costs.

The bonds would generate upfront funds to address needs quicker than relying on the district's annual operating budget, according to officials, and would do so without relying solely on the local tax base.

If approved by voters in November, this referendum would fund large-scale projects and critical improvements for schools across the district.

Here’s what you need to know about the projects being proposed:

Safety and Security

• Enhance safety by replacing outdated fire alarms and outdated public address systems that are difficult to find replacement parts for and expensive to repair
• Replace interior doors to increase security

Accessibility

• Increase Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) restroom accessibility for students, staff and community members in every building except the ELC, which is already updated
• Refresh parking lot paving and replace sidewalks with accessibility upgrades to improve access and safety for all students, staff and community members

Cost Efficiency

• Upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve air quality, reduce the risk for unexpected repairs and enhance energy efficiency
• Install emergency generators to keep schools running when there’s a power outage
• Upgrade electrical equipment to support 21st-century infrastructure and improve energy efficiency
• Replace aging windows and roofing, which would resolve leaks and boost energy efficiency
• Build an addition at MEMS for administrative offices to replace the Main Street building, where extensive repair needs make that option more costly

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to correct the total referendum amount proposed by Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Schools. Patch regrets the error.

For more information, you can visit the referendum website.