Learn About Upcoming Wall School Bond Vote At Friday Forum

WALL, NJ — Wall Township residents will decide two questions in a special vote Dec. 13, when they are asked to approve the sale of bonds to fund improvement projects for township schools.

One question proposes $53 million for widespread roof and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) repairs, electrical and mechanical system upgrades, and restroom modernizations. It also includes renovations to several instructional classrooms and the Wall High School auditorium.

The second proposes $13.5 million for more specifically located HVAC, electrical, and site upgrades; window replacements; art room renovations; and important upgrades to expand use of Wall High School’s athletic facilities, the district said in a news release.

Together they could bring $20 million of new state aid to Wall Township Public Schools, the district added, to offset the cost of the bonds.

“There are two drivers for the timing of these repairs,” Superintendent Tracy Handerhan said.

“The district has needs now, from inefficient boilers to roofs that are past the time frame that they were expected to last. Secondly, these proposals are timed with the pay-off of other debt from the 1998 referendum.”

She added that “additionally, state aid makes this a great financial opportunity for improvements that will directly benefit the students.”

Information session Dec. 9

District administrators and Board of Education members will continue to share information about the plans at an information session Friday, Dec. 9, when the district will present facts and figures at the Monmouth County Library Wall Branch, 2700 Allaire Road, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The district extends a special invitation to senior citizen members of the community, it said in the news release.

The district is finishing payments on the improvements that voters authorized in 1998, which added space at most of the schools and are still serving students today.

Renewing the current level of debt payments for 25 years would continue the cycle of repairing, replacing, and renovating that keeps Wall’s schools maintained and Wall’s tax rate steady, the district says.

The Board of Education packaged certain needs – the ones that are eligible for state aid – into a bond proposal to capture the state aid that only comes when voters approve this particular type of funding.

This state aid is valuable, covering about $20 million of the costs, but it only comes with a voter-approved bond referendum. Without it, 100 percent of the costs of these must-do items would come from the district’s regular budget, the district said.

Tax impact

The projected tax impact is calculated based on the older debt being paid off and the state aid
contributing to the future debt payments, the district says. It is calculated based on the mathematical average of all home assessments in Wall Township.

On a home assessed at the average ($483,357), voter approval of the first question would result in no increase to the current tax rate; payments would be made within the existing tax rate.

Voter approval of the second question would result in a tax increase of $5 a month, district officials say.

Special website

The district has established a website to inform voters: www.WallPublicSchools.org/VISION.

It includes a link that anyone can use to check the assessed value of their property and the mathematical formula necessary to calculate the specific tax impact for that property, the district says.

It also includes details of the proposed projects. And it includes the recording of a Virtual Forum held Dec. 1, attended by architects, financial advisers, school district staff members and Board of Education members.

Polling times

The website also includes poll locations and a link that registered voters can use to search for the
poll to which they are assigned.

Polls will be open on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Projects planned

This referendum is a community-wide, community-focused proposal that "balances necessary facility repairs/upgrades and instructional program needs with the financial impact on taxpayers," the district says.

"It also recognizes that school quality and community pride go hand in hand. The Board of Education has used numerous ways to inform the community and now encourages everyone to make their voices heard by voting," the district says.

A past presentation explained improvements to each school to be funded under the bonds:

Allenwood Elementary:

• replace roofing
• replace/improve HVAC systems
• modernize restrooms
• upgrade fire alarm
• improve ADA accessibility
• install LED parking lot lighting

Central Elementary:

• replace roofing
• replace/improve HVAC systems
• modernize restrooms
• upgrade fire alarm
• upgrade electrical system

West Belmar Elementary:

• replace roofing
• replace/improve HVAC systems
• modernize restrooms
• upgrade fire alarm
• upgrade electrical system
• upgrade mechanicals
• replace asphalt

Old Mill Elementary:

• replace roofing
• replace/improve HVAC systems
• modernize restrooms
• replace lower-level classroom HVAC

Primary School:

• modernize restrooms
• replace low-efficiency windows

Intermediate School:

• replace roofing
• replace/improve HVAC systems
• upgrade electrical system
• replace low-efficiency windows
• renovate classrooms
• renovate art room and technology labs
• renovate boys and girls locker rooms

High School:

• replace roofing
• replace/improve HVAC systems
• modernize restrooms
• upgrade electrical system
• renovate auditorium
• renovate graphics and design arts area
• renovate art room
• enhance athletic facilities

(Note: The Monmouth County Library provides meeting space as a community service. The library neither sponsors nor endorses this event, the speaker(s) or the organization.)