$14.7M Glen Rock School Bond Referendum Approved

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Voters approved a $14.7 million bond referendum question Tuesday night that will bring air conditioning to the elementary schools and renovate a sports field, auditorium, and two media centers.

The unofficial vote totals were:

Voting totals do not include absentee or provisional ballots cast.

The project has four components:

• Air conditioning upgrades for all four elementary schools and installing central air systems to bring cool air to every part of the schools. This will allow the schools to be used year round and would eliminate the need for each classroom to have its own air conditioner.
• The high school's media center would be redesigned and upgraded with a glass partition so two groups could use it simultaneously. It would turn into a state-of-the-art broadcasting studio and "makerspace classroom" with collaborative work space.
• The auditorium at Central Elementary School would be renovated with safety and accessibility improvements. It would free up space and create another venue for district events.
• The sports field at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School would be repaired.

Instruction is not expected to be disrupted while construction would occur. Officials said the majority of work would be done by the summer of 2020.

The project would cost $14.7 million, including $4.5 million in debt service aid from the state. The district will bond for the remaining $10.2 million.

The district will return any unused bond funds to taxpayers in the form of tax relief.

For more information about the bond referendum and the project, click here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com