North Jersey voters will take to the polls in a few school districts on Sept. 17 to consider multi-million dollar school facilities projects.
In Bergen County, Hillsdale and Tenafly will hold special elections and in Morris County, Randolph voters will also head to the polls, which will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hillsdale
Two questions will be asked on Sept. 17 on plans to upgrade facilities at George G. White Middle School. A proposed plan with an estimated cost of $62.4 million includes renovations, a temporary modular campus and a six-classroom addition.
The plan is $20.3 million less than a proposal advanced last year and it is eligible for $18 million in state aid compared to $5.4 million in 2023. This plan would resolve long-standing challenges at the middle school, meet student needs for decades and allow for potential enrollment increases.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KDrJt_0vMhVKia00](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=1KDrJt_0vMhVKia00)
Board members split needs into two questions on the same ballot to separate the need for renovation of the existing, old school and the need to add more instructional space:
QUESTION 1 proposes full renovation of the existing structure of George G. White Middle School, including rebuilding the cafetorium/multipurpose room and adding two classrooms. The question includes funding for the costs of modular, prefabricated classrooms for use during construction.
QUESTION 2 proposes the construction of a new, two-story wing with six classrooms, including some sized for the group interaction and instructional materials commonly used in STEM and/or Robotics lessons. That would add about 30,000 square feet and connect the main school building and the gymnasium.
Question 1 must pass for Question 2 to pass. If voters reject Question 1 but approve Question 2, neither proposal would pass.
The average tax impact for question one to modernize the middle school will be $58 per month or $696 per year.
The average tax impact for question two to expand the school will be $11.75 per month or $141 per year.
If both questions pass, the estimated tax impact will be about $70 per month or $840 per year for the average assessed home.
Additional information and recordings of video presentations can be found on hillsdaleschools.com.
Tenafly
The district is looking to conduct massive improvements to every school facility — including the district offices and the athletic complex — that will cost about $76 million.
After $16.5 million in state aid, the remaining local tax share would be $59.5 millionor $881 per year for a home assessed at Tenafly's average.
This funding would help Tenafly Public Schools address important capital concerns. It is a financial strategy to maintain high-quality programs and the community’s investment in its schools and leverage state funding.
An in person presentation and tour at TMS Auditorium will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Project overviews and renderings can be found on www.tenaflyschools.org/vote
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Randolph
Randolph's proposed referendum will include enhancements to all six district schools with $41.4 million worth of renovations. The proposals include a full roof replacements at Shongum Elementary and Ironia Elementary schools, art room renovations at all six school buildings, music room renovations at Randolph Middle School, HVAC/UV replacements, districtwide restroom renovations and security upgrades in every school.
If the referendum passes, the average homeowner will see an increase of $112 per year on taxes.
Additional information and an overview of the proposed projects can be found on rtnj.org .
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: These North Jersey school districts are holding elections on Sept. 17: What to know
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