West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 1: high school and middle school improvements ($41.9 million)

Official plain English statement

At this election, the voters of the school district are being asked to consider Bond Proposal Questions No. 1 and No. 2. As set forth above, Bond Proposal Question No. 2 can only go into effect if Bond Proposal Question No. 1 is also approved by the voters at this election. If Bond Proposal Questions No. 1 and No. 2 are approved by the voters at this election, the Board of Education will be authorized to (a) undertake various improvements, renovations, and upgrades at West Essex High School, including but not limited to the construction of a two-story addition and a new security vestibule, renovations to the Media Center, partial window replacement, structural upgrades, various HVAC and mechanical upgrades, upgrades to the athletic field, upgrades to the existing football field bleachers and press box, and the replacement of select interior and exterior doors and door hardware, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment, and any site work; and (b) undertake various improvements, renovations, and upgrades at West Essex Middle School, including but not limited to a new security vestibule, the removal of an existing concrete trellis, various renovations to the cafeteria courtyard, the installation of a turf field, upgrades to the athletic field, athletic lighting upgrades, and drainage improvements, various renovations to the auditorium, various HVAC upgrades, and upgrades to the athletic field, and the replacement of select interior and exterior doors and door hardware, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment, and any site work. The total cost for the projects will be $49,419,634, and the Board of Education will be authorized to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $49,419,634. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $27,305,757 (consisting of $14,193,217 for West Essex High School and $13,112,540 for West Essex Middle School). The projects include $22,123,877 for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage is 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.