Cedar Grove to Hold Special Election on Bond Referendum

A special election will be held next month to decide on the Cedar Grove School District's $7.5 million bond referendum for improvements to the district's school buildings.

The election will be on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 2-9 p.m. at one of eight designated polling places. The board approved the special election at their meeting Tuesday.

The total cost of the improvements, which would encompass Cedar Grove High School, North and South End Elementary School, and the Leonard R. Parks School building, would not exceed $12,180,380, and would mean a school tax increase of $114 on a home assessed at the township's average of $485,000.

Officials noted within a few years that energy savings realized by the district as a result of the improvements would reduce the bump in the annual per-household school tax to roughly $85.

Among the proposed improvements  are a host of energy efficient and temperature control improvements, including replacing roofs, windows, doors, ceilings, light fixtures, as well as heating and cooling systems.

Board of Education President Frank Mandala said in an interview that the condition of the district's aging buildings could pose a safety hazard if the repairs are not made.

"There are safety issues right now that if we don't address, could become serious issues," he said.

"The roofs in some instances are more than 50 years old. Most of the buildings have original windows, some of which are permanently screwed shut to avoid mishaps."

Mandala said the district had struggled to save more money for the improvements over the last decade in light of state budget cuts, and a defeat in five of the district's last eight budget votes.

This summer, the district secured a state grant which would cover 40 percent of the project's total cost, or $4,597,995, reducing Cedar Grove's local share to $7,582,385. School officials said the large state grant at a time when Trenton is tightening its purse strings, coupled with low interest rates and construction costs, makes now the ideal time to make the proposed improvements.

The district was approved for the grant last fall, but decided against taking it due to the economic outlook at the time, Polles said. However, the district re-applied in January, and was approved in July.

"We feel confident that with all of this in our favor that this is the time to go for it," Mandala said.

Cedar Grove High School will receive the lion's share of the funds, a total of more than $8.3 million. Improvements to North End Elementary School will cost just shy of $1.4 million. At South End Elementary School, $1.7 million will be allocated. Improvements to the Leonard R. Parks School building on Pompton Avenue is not eligible for state funds.

K-12 Superintendent Dr. Gene Polles said in an interview that if the proposal wins voter approval, the project would be ready to commence in 6-8 months, pending submitting architectural designs, specifications, and going out for bids.

Polles said the goal is to complete the project around the school calendar to avoid disturbing classes, and that it should be done in 2-3 years.

The district has proposed issuing 20 year bonds at an interest rate of 3.5 percent, which will maximize the total interest paid, but give the district maximum time to repay the bonds. A total of $3.1 million in interest will be owed in the life of the bonds.

The district had the option of issuing 12- or 15-year bonds, which would have come with a lower interest rate but a higher annual school tax increase.

Mandala said the tax impact would not be felt by residents until 2-3 years after the project begins.

The special election on the budget referendum is scheduled from 2-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Registered voters can vote on the proposal at one of eight polling places:

Polling Place 1 (General Election District 1): United Presbyterian Church, 155 Commerce Road.

Polling Place 2 (District 2): North End Fire House, 170 E. Lindsley Road.

Polling Place 3 (District 3): Memorial Middle School, 500 Ridge Road.

Polling Place 4 (Districts 4 and 5): Cedar Grove High School, 90 Rugby Road.

Polling Place 5 (Districts 6 and 10): Leonard R. Parks School, 520 Pompton Ave.

Polling Place 6 (District 7): Ambulance and Rescue Squad, 651 Pompton Ave.

Polling Place 7 (District 8): North End School, 122 Stevens Ave.

Polling Place 8 (District 9): South End School, 116 Harper Terr.

The Board of Education is undertaking a media blitz to inform residents about the vote and the improvements. According to Polles' superintendent report, the board plans on reaching out to local media, parents, and township officials to get the word out.

These meetings include a special presentation to senior citizens at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17 at the Cedar Grove High School auditorium, a special Board of Education meeting on Jan. 4 for board members dedicated to the referendum, board President Frank Mandala will speak to North End and South End Elementary School parents on Jan. 8, an "open forum" hosted by board members at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the Cedar Grove High School cafeteria, and more.

When asked by Patch whether he thought voters would approve the referendum, Mandala said he feels "pretty confident."

"This referendum is to take care of the nuts and bolts of our school system. Not the bells and whistles," he said.

"It's not like we're going out there asking for a built-in pool or a new recreation center. These are safety issues that need to be addressed. They're not going to go away."