$9.5M Referendum Outlines Improvements For Morris Plains Schools

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ — The Morris Plains School District is planning a bond referendum to fund necessary renovation projects and an expansion plan for Mountain Way School, according to Superintendent of Schools Mark Maire.

Members of the public will be able to vote on the bond referendum in March, and officials estimate that the total cost will be roughly $9.5 million.

Prior to the pandemic, the Morris Plains School District was one of four in the state to be awarded the Silver Distinction, which recognizes the district as a leader in instructional practices and technological innovation.

To that end, the district has prioritized investments in safety, security and technological advancements, such as:

• entrances at both schools were modified to create a safer security entrance with a holding area to effectively manage visitors entering the buildings.
• Both schools will have state-of-the-art video surveillance cameras installed, as well as 24-hour police access.
• upgraded firewall, switches and servers.

"Now that we have achieved these critical milestones, we are looking forward to addressing the needs of the learning environment at Mountain Way School and facility upgrades at Borough School," Maire said. "Specifically, updating our long-range facility plan to include renovated student and staff bathrooms in Borough School and an expansion project at Mountain Way School."

The Mountain Way expansion project will include the following components:

• creating five new classrooms that will be flexible to accommodate seven new instructional spaces including a sensory room.
• revitalizing six existing learning spaces.
• adding two single occupancy accessible bathrooms.
• including a new outdoor classroom and a new outdoor playground with rubber flooring, as well as a turfed play area around the new play equipment.

The Borough School renovation project will renovate all staff and student restrooms, making the school more accessible and modern, the board said.

"These necessary projects are unattainable through our operating budget and would be a great long-term investment for our property values and attracting the best teachers and families to Morris Plains... These funds are issued via a loan and will result in a minimal impact to taxpayers," Maire said.

The average homeowner with a $440,000 home will pay $63 per year, officials said. The loan term is 20 years, and the state's debt service aid is estimated to be 8.22 percent of the total referendum cost.

Public forum sessions have been scheduled in the Mountain Way Library to learn more about the upcoming referendum vote:

• Feb. 1, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 1, 7 p.m.
• Mar. 4, 10 a.m.

The referendum vote is scheduled for Mar. 14, 2023.