Voters Approve New $26M West Morris Regional Bond Proposal

MENDHAM-CHESTER, NJ — Voters approved a new, $26 million bond proposal Tuesday night that will fund building improvements at the West Morris Regional High School District.

Residents of Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and Washington Township headed to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of the proposal, which will replace a more expensive bond measure passed in 2004 which taxpayers are almost finished paying off.

Unofficial results from the Morris County Clerk's Office show that 2,303 people voted "yes" and 1,225 people voted "no" on the measure.

According to district officials, funding will allow both schools to receive significant similar upgrades, including air conditioning in all classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen upgrades, and roof and parking lot repairs.

The $26 million plan also includes updates to both schools' technology labs and the field house shower and storage facilities. The West Morris Mendham culinary arts room would be refurbished to improve student learning and meet student interest, and the public address system would be upgraded to match West Morris Central's.

The entire cost of the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state providing $7,983,309 to lower local school debt taxes.

Click here to read a more detailed breakdown of the referendum.