$440 million in School Construction heads to the voters tomorrow

by: Jason Springer

Mon Sep 28, 2009 at 01:34:36 PM EDT

In the same way families across the nation are seeking to make their homes more energy efficient, school boards are proposing questions asking voters to approve energy-saving initiatives. Ten of the 25 bond referendums on Tuesday's ballot specifically cite new windows, doors, boilers or HVAC systems; another eight seek solar panels.

For example, the Pennsauken School District proposes to demolish a school built in 1925 and replace it with the district's first energy efficient "green" school. Ocean City School District's Web site says its project would include replacing a 40-year-old electrical HVAC system with a more efficient gas system that is expected to save over $1.5 million during its lifespan. Solar projects are proposed in school districts in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Monmouth, Salem and Union counties.

Of the total $440 million that is being requested, more than $157 million would qualify for state aid, either through one-time school-construction grants, annual "debt service aid" payments to school districts, or rebates through the state's Clean Energy program.

"This is the most school construction activity we've seen for one day since September 2005," said Mike Yaple, an association spokesman who has been tracking such referendums for a decade. "We're edging up toward almost half-a-billion dollars in school construction proposals. That's quite a bit."

New Jersey School Construction Referendums
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009

STATEWIDE
Total amount requested: $440,279,337
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $157,455,701 (may include up-front school-construction grants, annual payments of debt service aid, or Clean Energy rebates)

ATLANTIC COUNTY
Hamilton Township
Install solar panels at three schools; roof repairs at two schools
Total amount - $4,824,407
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $3,215,299

Northfield
Install solar panels at middle school
Total amount - $468,510
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $242,404

BERGEN COUNTY
Franklin Lakes
Renovations to three schools, including replacement of roofs, doors, bathrooms and boilers
Total amount - $1,327,900
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $531,160

Leonia
Renovations to three schools, including electrical systems, roofs, boilers, and solar panels
Total amount - $20,300,000
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $8,120,000

Park Ridge
Renovations to three schools, including roofs, windows, doors, boilers and solar panels
Total amount - $10,665,713
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $4,266,285

BURLINGTON COUNTY
Hainesport Township
Renovations to the Hainesport School, including roof, fire systems, HVAC, windows and doors, various interior upgrades, and removal of hazardous material
Total amount - $9,626,087
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $3,850,435

Shamong Township
Renovations to two schools, including solar panels
Total amount - $2,560,467
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $739,967

Mount Holly Township
Proposal 1: Renovations to three schools, including roofs, electrical, fire and HVAC systems.
Total amount - $24,068,893
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $14,394,200
Proposal 2: Renovations to security systems at three schools
Total amount - $1,839,229
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $1,096,497
Proposal 3: Renovations to three schools, including sidewalks, doors and windows
Total amount - $2,938,957
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $1,752,124
Proposal 4: Technology upgrades and removal of hazardous materials
Total amount - $5,182,827
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $3,089,856
All proposals are independent questions, not contingent upon passage of any other question.

Riverside Township
Proposal 1: Renovations to playground, parking and athletic facility
Total amount - $1,732,969
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $1,165,962

Proposal 2 (Contingent upon passage of Proposal 1): Renovations including installation of an athletic field
Total amount - $1,599,683

CAMDEN COUNTY
Pennsauken
Demolish an elementary school and construct a new school
Total amount - $34,665,986
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $2,438,457

Stratford
Addition and renovations to one school, renovations to another school
Total amount - $8,837,500
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $3,630,770

CAPE MAY COUNTY
Ocean City
Replace intermediate school roof and HVAC systems
Total amount - $8,522,140
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $3,408,856

CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Lawrence Township
Addition and renovations to Myron Powell Elementary School
Total amount - $6,549,146
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $4,032,360

GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Clayton
Addition and renovations to middle-high school, renovations to an elementary school
Total amount - $20,007,138
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $9,989,585

Pitman
Install solar panels and other energy related improvements
Total amount - $2,095,125
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $1,056,467

MIDDLESEX COUNTY
East Brunswick Township
Construct a new Memorial Elementary School
Total amount - $23,814,000
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $4,238,520

South Plainfield Township
Renovations at five schools, including roof, windows, boilers, HVAC projects
Total amount - $21,944,098
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $8,777,639

MONMOUTH COUNTY
Atlantic Highlands
Install solar panels at elementary school
Total amount - $490,000
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $196,000

Marlboro Township
Construct an addition to Defino Central Elementary School
Total amount - $2,522,062
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $480,480

OCEAN COUNTY
Brick Township
Proposal 1: Safety and security renovations to district schools
Total amount - $27,920,467
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $8,991,785

Proposal 2: Energy efficiency renovations to district schools
Total amount - $41,247,304
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $14,955,038

Proposal 3: Renovations to Primary Learning Center and enrichment center
Total amount - $12,767,119
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $2,245,828

Proposal 4: Renovations to high school
Total amount - $90,809,018
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $28,011,132
All proposals are independent questions, not contingent upon passage of any other question.

Manchester Township
Renovations to five schools and board offices
Total amount - $8,275,621
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $1,530,119

PASSAIC COUNTY
Woodland Park
Additions and/or renovations to three schools, including roofs, playgrounds, parking lots, roofs, HVAC and other interior upgrades
Total amount - $8,956,315
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $2,853,557

SALEM COUNTY
Pittsgrove Township
Renovations to two schools, including security systems, HVAC, windows, doors, other interior upgrades, and track resurfacing
Total amount - $3,996,413
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $2,301,625

UNION COUNTY
Rahway
Additions and renovations to six schools, including new auditoriums, offices and classrooms; upgrades to fire, security, water and electrical systems; and solar panels.
Total amount - $22,800,000
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $12,577,072

WARREN COUNTY
Washington Borough
Renovations to two schools, including new unit ventilators
Total amount - $6,924,243
Amount eligible for state reimbursement - $3,276,222