Millburn Voters Pass Referendum For $20.5M In School Improvements

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn residents voted three-to-one on Tuesday to approve a $20.5 million bond to make capital improvements in all schools in the district. The special referendum drew 2,138 voters in the town of 20,000.

The final vote, according to the Essex County Clerk's Office, was 1,670 for the plan (78.11 percent) and 468 against (21.89 percent).

The referendum was for the district's Capital and Maintenance Plan to improve its facilities while maintaining a flat debt schedule —by issuing new bonds as existing debt expires—according to a letter issued in December by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Burton.

On Friday, Burton sent out a message to the school community saying, "Thank you for your votes in favor of the C&MP Referendum. This overwhelming support of funding for our facilities demonstrates your understanding of the need to maintain our facilities is as important as our emphasis on academic excellence and student success. Next steps are already underway. Business Administrator, Cheryl Schneider, is working with our Bond Counsel to finalize a date in February/March for the sale of bonds. The architects will review and refine plans to begin putting out bids in order for projects to start as soon as the school year ends."

The improvements will include security vestibules and safety upgrades at all schools, a cafeteria addition at the Middle School, and other items. Find out more details on the district's C&MP site here.