Check out the voter breakdown by municipality for the $7.3 million North Hunterdon-Voorhees School District.
CLINTON TWP. -- While voters rejected the $7.3 million North Hunterdon-Voorhees School District referendum Tuesday, the question could be asked again in 2017.
Board of Education member Francis Goger said the nine projects, from a new turf field at Voorhees High School to a new heating and air-conditioning system at North Hunterdon Regional High School, are still necessary and the district could still seek voter approval to spend the funds.
"Most of these projects sooner or later have to get done," Goger said. "At some point or another we have to address these aging facilities."
North Hunterdon-Voorhees School District 2015 Referendum Results according to the Hunterdon County Clerk Both schools have 50-year-old equipment and structures, and safety must be of the utmost concern, Goger said.
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District Communications Coordinator Maren Smagala previously said if the referendum failed the district could chose to spread the funding of the projects out across its annual operating budget, but Goger said that option is not likely for the 2016-17 budget.
"I don't think we can do any of these projects this year, that's why we wanted to get these done in a referendum, but we will have to take care of all capital projects through the annual budget if voters don't approve referendums," he said.
Capital projects the board is planning for in the budget include updating science classrooms and replacing the water supply system at Voorhees.
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"These projects are not the same priority as a leaking roof or failing boiler, which we've spent over $10 million on, but we can't allow the schools to be unsafe and there will be no choice now but to budget for those big ticket items," Goger said.
The board of education had stated that if the referendum passed, the district would sell 15-year school bonds and receive $1.7 million in annual Debt Service Aid from the state with the taxpayers contributing $487,934.
Now taxes will go down as the previous debt service is paid off.
"No debt in a high school district means taxpayers are paying every year, and in the long run it's costing them more," Goger said. "I think if people who think about the issues thoroughly and understand the economics of paying off for long use projects long term then it's possible to get a referendum passed."
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A referendum in 2004 was rejected by voters, while a referendum in 2000 was approved, Goger said, adding that more could have been done to educate the public ahead of this election.
"I feel bad for the parents who have been trying to get this turf in," Goger said.
He considers the project a priority for the district because the lack of space at Voorhees High School for games creates less than favorable playing conditions.
"We can go back and see if we can keep raising money from the local base. If they can't wait two years, donations and fundraising are still a possibility," he said.
A total of 3,362 (52 percent) voted down the referendum to 3,044 (47 percent) voting in favor of it.
In the sending municipalities for North Hunterdon High School, 1,975 (56 percent) voted down the referendum, while 1,464 (51 percent) voted yes in the Voorhees High School sending municipalities.
"The outcome of the referendum vote is disappointing," Smagala said Wednesday. "We sincerely thank all of the voters who supported the referendum and helped to increase support."
The administration and board will be reviewing the full list of capital projects yet to be completed to prioritize the list and review their options, she said.
Proposed projects at Voorhees High School
- $1.56 million for installation of new artificial turf field to replace existing grass field
- $818,706 for a Multi-Media Interactive Student Center in the existing library
- $650,100 for replacement of Visitor Bleachers
- $132,440 for an addition of ADA compliant ramp to Home Bleachers
Proposed projects at North Hunterdon High School
- $1.9 million for installation of new energy efficient HVAC unit for social studies and world language wings
- $975,150 for replacement of visitor/band and tennis court bleachers
- $813,355 for a Multi-Media Interactive Student Center in the existing library
- $460,344 for interior and exterior renovations of Athletic Field House
Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.