Very Big Woodbridge Public Vote Tuesday On School Construction

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — This Tuesday, March 14 there will be a very important public vote in Woodbridge: Do Woodbridge residents approve the school district making "significant" renovations to Avenel Elementary School?

This is why Woodbridge elementary and middle schools have a half day Tuesday. Vote from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. where you normally vote.

You will be asked a simple "yes" or "no" question on whether or not you approve the Woodbridge school district making renovations to Avenel Elementary.

The Woodbridge school district has never said yet exactly how much this project will cost. NJ101.5.com just reported that the the renovations will cost $32 million.

But, Woodbridge school superintendent Joe Massimino and Mayor John McCormac previously said multiple times no additional money will be requested from taxpayers.

The money has already been secured in an $87.7 million bond the district got in 2020.

Construction had already started on a brand-new Avenel Elementary and the district budgeted $35 million to build the new school. But Massimino made this major announcement in September that it would not be moving forward after the cost of a new school skyrocketed by more than $15 million, thanks to inflation.

"I, along with the rest of the Board, would never feel comfortable with asking the public to finance another $15 million," Massimino said in September.

So now, the existing funds that would have been used to build a new school 4/5 will instead pay for the renovations.

Mayor McCormac said he supports making the renovations and even sent out a flyer to all Woodbridge homes in the beginning of March urging residents to vote "yes" on Tuesday.

Sneak Peek At Woodbridge Mayor's Mailer Urging 'Yes' Vote On March 14 (March 1)

Woodbridge Residents Will Vote March 14 On School 4 And 5 Renovations (Feb. 22)

Due To Inflation Costs, Woodbridge Not Building New Avenel Elementary (Sept. 2022)