FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional Board of Education Approves Scope of Work & Ballot Language for November 2022 Bond Referendum Vote
Annandale, NJ – In a unanimous vote at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 23, the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District (NHVRHSD) Board of Education approved the scope of work and ballot language for a bond referendum question to be included in the November 8, 2022 general and school election. If approved, the referendum will fund necessary facilities upgrades and renovations at North Hunterdon and Voorhees High Schools to maintain safe facilities and improve energy-efficiency.
The combined cost of the projects funded by the referendum is $6.5 million. If approved on November 8, NHVRHSD has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Education to receive up to 40 percent in state aid. The state aid, combined with existing funds the district already has in its annual budget, will result in no tax increase in any of the 12 communities served by the district as the bond can be paid off immediately with the existing funds and state aid.
According to Superintendent of Schools, Jeffrey Bender, an approved referendum will fund no-frills, basic repairs and upgrades to the district’s aging facilities with a focus on energy-efficiency and safety.
“Our high schools date back to the 1950s and 1970s so it is important that we continue to address our aging facilities and make the necessary upgrades just as a homeowner would,” said Bender. “With state aid still available for capital projects and the savings we have in our budget, we are able to move ahead with our continued focus on safety and upgrading to more energy-efficient systems.”
NHVRHSD Board of Education President Jessica Viotto echoed Bender’s focus on no-frills, necessary renovations and improvements. “The Board has continued to examine the status of our aging facilities and prioritize the areas that are most in need of renovations or upgrades,” said Viotto. “This referendum would continue the Board’s focus on energy efficiency and safety, while staying fiscally responsible to the community as the referendum will not raise taxes.”
If approved on November 8, 2022, the NHVRHSD bond referendum will fund:
Projects Focused on Energy Efficiency:
- North Hunterdon – HVAC Improvements – Upgrades to HVAC units servicing the 150s, 240s, 250s classroom wings and the “O” level classrooms. HVAC units are beyond their useful life expectancy and will be replaced with high efficiency equipment providing fresh air ventilation, improved air filtration, heating and cooling for classrooms.
- Voorhees – Ventilation Upgrades – Upgrades to ventilation units servicing kitchen, first floor locker rooms and rear gymnasium. Units will be replaced with high efficiency equipment providing fresh air ventilation and improved air filtration.
- Voorhees – Chiller Pipe Insulation – Replacement of inefficient pipe insulation on chiller and associated piping to increase the equipment’s efficiency.
Projects Focused on Safety:
- North Hunterdon – Stair Door Replacement – Replacement of interior stair doors with new fire rated and barrier-free compliant doors and hardware.
- North Hunterdon – Locker Room Renovation – Renovation of the boys’ locker room, PE teacher offices and coaches’ locker room by Gold Gym will include new plumbing fixtures, lockers, benches, flooring, and lighting, as well as HVAC upgrades. Upgrades will be ADA-compliant.
- Voorhees – Exterior Stair Replacements –
- Removal and replacement of the concrete and railroad tie steps along the wall of the pedestrian bridge. New concrete steps, handrails and additional retaining wall along steps will be installed.
- Removal and replacement of deteriorating wood retaining wall, wood staircase and railings at the soccer/lacrosse field (aka “The Pit”). New modular block retaining wall system with fencing, new stairs and handrails will be installed.
Total Projected Cost Not to Exceed = $6.5 million
All projects and costs have been reviewed and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Passage of this referendum will not raise taxes. Voter approval will allow the district to receive state aid covering up to 40% of the total project cost. In addition, the Board has existing funds in its budget to pay off the bond immediately after projects are completed, so there will be no increase to taxpayers.
For more information, please visit the district’s referendum website: https://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/referendum-2022/.
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