$20M Vote For 'Critical Upgrades' Mendham Schools: Superintendent

MENDHAM, NJ — Replacements of rooftops, paving projects, updates to building entrances and accessibility improvements, are among plans if a $19,903,197 school bond referendum passes in Mendham Township.

Mendham Township voters can head to the polls on Jan. 25 for the special election for a bond proposal question that, according to Mendham Township School District Superintendent Dr. Sal Constantino, is expected to fund “critical upgrades” to the district’s schools.

Looking to vote by mail? Applications need to be received to the Morris County Clerk’s Office by Jan. 18, with the application here.

RELATED: $20M Mendham School Referendum: Where To Vote And More

In the full Bond Proposal Question, found on this website, it states that of the $19,903,197, there is:

• $18,475,992 for the final eligible costs approved by the state's Commissioner of Education.
• $10,203,951 of that full amount is expected to be earmarked for Mendham Township Middle School.
• $8,272,041 of that full amount is planned to go to Mendham Township Elementary School.
• $257,000 of that full amount will go to each of the schools “for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for state support.”

Following a virtual question and answer event on Wednesday night, as well as an in-person informational events on Jan. 6, the district posted this video on Thursday of Constantino recapping some of the upgrades planned:

According to a website about the project:

• Mendham Township School District qualifies for 37 percent state funding for its planned projects, with the state funding up to 40 percent of eligible costs if a voter-approved referendum goes through.
• The district’s projects planned will maximize the state funding eligibility and reportedly reduce tax impact by $7.4 million.
• Those funds will be borrowed “through the sale of bonds” to fund renovations of both facilities and their grounds.
• Bond funding permits improvements to be made and then the costs, like a home equity loan, paid back over time.

See more information here about the bond proposal question and processes for in-person voting and vote-by-mail.

For full information about the bond referendum, visit: https://sites.google.com/mendhamtwp.org/mendham-twp-school-district/voter-info.

Have more questions? Email: referendum@mendhamtwp.org.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.