Bill Would Move Stalled Monmouth Regional Bond Proposal Forward

The New Jersey Senate passed a bill passed yesterday that would allow Monmouth Regional High School's recently-approved bond proposal to move forward.

"The school board did not properly provide the statutorily required notice of 60 days to the county clerk, a recent change from last year’s school election changes, to get this successful (bond proposal) on the ballot in the first place," a release from state Sen. Jennifer Beck said.

"The oversight opened up the school district to potential legal challenges of the successful bond proposal,” Beck said. “Today’s bill will validate the bond authorization that was approved by the voters. The bonds will fund some essential projects including renovations to science classrooms and the girls’ locker room as well as the removal of asbestos.”

The bond proposal was approved 5,584 to 4,336 last November and has a total cost of $6.1 million. It includes asbestos removal, a renovation to the girls' locker room and science classrooms and the construction of a storage room near the girls' locker room.

A second bond proposal was voted down 4,745 to 5,113. The $4.3 million project included the paving of school parking lots, the construction of an auxiliary gymnasium, the renovation of the school's electric panels and a new PA system.

Monmouth Regional is located in Tinton Falls and educates students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury Township and children from Naval Weapons Stations Earle.

The bill that would allow the first bond proposal to move forward must now pass through the state committee and assembly before it reaches the governor's desk.

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagande sponsored the Assembly version, A3651.