NJ Agrees To Pay A Third Of Montclair’s Huge School Upgrade Project

MONTCLAIR, NJ — State officials have agreed to pony up nearly a third of the total cost if a massive series of proposed upgrades comes to fruition in the Montclair Public School District, administrators say.

The Montclair Public School District is launching a $188 million bond referendum as part of the general election in November to pay for “critical health and safety facility needs” across the township, including ventilation, a problem that was put in the spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic, administrators announced earlier this year.

If the referendum passes in November, the upgrades would take place over several years, concluding in December 2028.

See a cost breakdown from the board here. See a list of what is planned for each school here. Montclair administrators have also released a list of frequently asked questions and their answers, which can be seen on the district website.

The upgrades would be paid for with a series of three bonds, taken out over the next five years. Based on preliminary estimates, the average annual tax impact over the 24-year course of repayments is expected to be $732, beginning with an expected $323 average impact in 2023, district officials said. But some money from the state is expected to help soften the blow for local taxpayers, administrators added.

On Thursday, Superintendent Jonathan Ponds announced that Montclair will receive a total of nearly $58 million from New Jersey to support the project – if voters approve it this fall.

According to Ponds, the district will be eligible to receive annual debt service aid payments based on costs in the proposal deemed eligible by the New Jersey Department of Education for state reimbursement — about $172 million — and the state’s statutory formula for providing debt service aid. The district accordingly expects to receive 31 percent of the annual debt service due each year from the state, with the district providing the balance.

The Montclair Board of Education unanimously approved the plan on Tuesday evening, ensuring that the bond referendum will appear on local voters’ ballots on Nov. 8.

“It’s really an historic occasion,” Ponds said.

“Families have always come to Montclair for its schools,” the superintendent added. “By creating educational spaces that are safe, healthy, and welcoming, these infrastructure upgrades and educational enhancements will make them glad they’re here.”

Montclair Town Councilman Peter Yacobellis, who has advocated for more school spending in the past, also supported the bond referendum and the news that the state is willing to pay for a big chunk of it.

“The confirmation that the state of New Jersey will cover $58 million towards the cost of overhauling our school district facilities is a big deal,” Yacobellis said.

“Montclair is at an inflection point,” he continued. “After decades of under investment in our schools, it is now our responsibility to course-correct. My partner and I don't have any children and likely never will. But we care about the quality of education for all Montclair kids, and we know that the fate of this town and selfishly, the value of our home, are intrinsically linked to the quality of Montclair schools.”

“It is time to upgrade these buildings and give Montclair kids modern, safe, and healthy learning environments,” the councilman said.

• See related article: $188M Montclair School Bond Proposal On Track For November Election

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