Results Are In: Wayne Votes Against School Safety and Security Project

The results are in.

Wayne residents have voted against the referendum for safety and security projects for Wayne Township Public Schools that would have allowed bonds to be sold to finance safety and security improvements in Wayne’s school facilities that were identified in a recent facility assessment.

The official vote was tallied at 911 “yes” votes and 933 “no” votes - only an additional 14 votes from last week’s unofficial 905 “yes” votes and 924 “no” votes, according to the Passaic County website.

The referendum would have ensured the installment of security vestibules, exterior and interior doors, public access/intercom systems, upgrades to fire alarm systems, panic alarm systems, upgrades to motion sensors, access controls and closed circuit television systems if voted in favor.

The referendum came as a result of a May 2013 safety and security assessment of all Wayne schools and facilities that recommended the following improvements be made:

• Replace breakable glass in doors with impact resistant laminated glass
• Install door contacts alerting staff to entry by an intruder or an unauthorized student egress
• Enhance building access control technology for front office staff, as well as after care staff, to ensure visitors can be properly vetted
• Ensure all classroom and assembly area doors are maintained in a locked position during the course of the school day
• Improve internal communications through enhancement and repair of public address systems and increase cell phone coverage to ensure emergency notifications reach all students and staff

According to the Wayne School District, the total cost of the improvements would have been $4,808,259 - 40 percent of which would have been paid by debt service from the State of New Jersey and 60 percent would have been paid by the community. The “cost to [an] average home assessed at $228,200 would be $10.80 for the 2015-16 school year or $ .90 per month.”