It’s Election Day in 13 New Jersey school districts

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to consider projects worth $180 million. Nearly half the costs could be picked up by the state government.

New schools are not on the ballots. But security upgrades are a major focus of the school construction projects.

About half of the districts want to add new doors, entries or other security features.

Districts also are asking for renovations and replacements of roofs and heating and cooling systems.

The special elections will take place in Absecon and Greater Egg Harbor Regional in Atlantic County; Wallington in Bergen County; Mount Holly in Burlington County; Ocean City in Cape May County; Verona in Essex County; Glassboro in Gloucester County; the Clinton-Glen Gardner School District in Hunterdon County; Middletown Township in Monmouth County; Long Hill Township in Morris County; Bloomingdale in Passaic County; Mountainside in Union County; and Mansfield in Warren County. In most of the projects, state debt service aid or grant funds would be available to help cover a portion of the costs

The second Tuesday in March is one of five dates during the year at which a school district can present construction bond issues to voters.

New Jersey School Construction Referenda

(via The New Jersey School Boards Association) 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

ATLANTIC COUNTYAbsecon – Various improvements to H. Ashton Marsh and Emma C. Attales Schools; plus necessary furniture and equipment, and site work.Total project cost: $5,210,497Amount eligible for state funding: $2,084,198

Greater Egg Harbor Regional—Renovations to three high schools, plus acquisition of necessary furniture and equipment, and site work.Total project cost: $36,998,000Amount eligible for state funding: $17,305,111

BERGEN COUNTYWallington – Interior door replacement, for school safety upgrade, at two schools; plus masonry replacement, partial roof replacement, interior painting.Total project cost: $2,617,959Amount eligible for state funding: $1,473,838

BURLINGTON COUNTYMount Holly – Installation of security doors, partial roof replacement, HVAC replacement and fire system replacement, and other improvements at three schools; plus acquisition of furniture, fixtures and equipment as may be necessary or related.Total project cost: $20,479,526Total eligible for state funding: $12,540,209.

CAPE MAY COUNTYOcean City – Improvements and renovations to Ocean City Primary School, including acquisition of equipment and site work. Of the total project cost, $1,101,497 would come from school district capital reserves.Total project cost: $5,998,198Total eligible for state funding: $2,497,422

ESSEX COUNTYVerona – Security, technology, fire alarm and other upgrades at six schools; plus various gym bleacher upgrades, façade upgrades; and necessary equipment and site work.Total project cost: $16,641,855Total eligible for state funding: $5,199,644

GLOUCESTER COUNTYGlassboro – Upgrade security, mechanical, electrical and other systems at five schools, plus music room renovation and conversion of space into a performing arts theater at Glassboro High School. Also, various classroom technology improvements, roof repairs, playground restoration, and acquisition of necessary furniture, fixtures and equipment.Total project cost: $26,900,450Amount eligible for state funding: $12,633,294

HUNTERDON COUNTYClinton-Glen Gardner School District – Roof, HVAC and fire alarm system replacement.Total project cost: $2,104,250Total eligible for state funding: $841,700

MONMOUTH COUNTYMiddletown – Upgrade geothermal systems at the high schools and middle schools, and replace roofs at high schools, middle schools and ten elementary schools.Total project cost: $32,299,832Amount eligible for state funding: $12,919,933

MORRIS COUNTYLong Hill Township – HVAC upgrades at three schools, plus partial roof replacement at Millington Elementary School. Part of project financed with $500,000 of district capital reserves.Total project cost: $3,274,530Amount eligible for state funding: $1,309,812

PASSAIC COUNTYBloomingdale – Various improvements and renovations to Martha Day Elementary and Walter Bergen Middle schools.Total project cost: $1,341,950Amount eligible for state funding: $536,780

UNION COUNTYMountainside – Educational and physical plant renovations at Deerfield and Beechwood schools, including security and technology improvements. Work to include new secure entry vestibules; improvements of plumbing, electrical, lighting, heating, IT/AV systems; Deerfield School media center and locker room facilities renovations.Total project cost: $19,484,628Amount eligible for state funding: $7,793,851

WARREN COUNTYMansfield – HVAC, boiler, lighting, roof, fire alarm, kitchen and other upgrades; plus front entrance security improvements and construction of a new maintenance/storage building.Total project cost: $6,685,350Amount eligible for state funding: $2,941,554