[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6034690,"mediaKeyId","5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68","parentId",5121909,"title","Moorestown board authorizes submission of revised $112.5 million project applications to NJDOE; bus depot, turf fields highlighted","audioSeconds",1052,"startMs",834000,"endMs",1886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68&start=834&end=1886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68/thumbnail_834000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6034690/New-Jersey/Moorestown-board-authorizes-submission-of-revised-1125-million-project-applications-to-NJDOE-bus-depot-turf-fields-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034690-b84d53009e05d848f6585acf05011237/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969141&Signature=Vj8-oAaRZmQL2mWg-akYzTlb5m8TT1KGanyoD6pK5ig2opiHg6eMAKF3KIR2WbVH8vMfgpc6~VLEmawNlbEJXYk-bFToiFwnGh3XK1tbkG~fwFqMJk1YWhcN-yDSTfDVqhLWnWYzaS1mZ4ZHSKwoqTMwfbf8B7y-8S2s2djgfgjjv0iZkb0eYIUhOcpQzgR4sLFcPr1zOKf10-3ab3rW-MnzFWOEHsIbuIn~RoSsw7XIpBOV0SH8febr06Up~OxJcDHWTTdYN8LXMW5Cwodh~j~T~zl2kDmNGIhhHsnuiNFLmHYgKyc18yD-6s-s1XqAjEI-zy~dTYqYewif-YFqAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Moorestown Township Public School District, NJ","date","2025-03-19T14:02:08Z","article","The Moorestown Township Public School District board voted to authorize submission of revised project applications totaling about $112.5 million to the New Jersey Department of Education for review, Superintendent Dr. Courtney McNeely and district architect Steve Schreyer said at the board meeting.

The applications, if approved by the NJDOE and included in a fall bond referendum, would fund renovations and additions across the district, with estimated project costs of about $17 million for elementary projects, $50 million for William Allen Middle School and $44 million for Moorestown High School, Schreyer said. The package also includes site work at the high school: a relocated bus depot, new staff parking and multiple turf-field replacements.

Why it matters: Board members and the administration said the work would create classroom space for projected enrollment growth, replace aging HVAC and roofing components, and add safety and circulation improvements. The board voted to send the revised applications to the state but did not vote on referendum questions, tax impacts or final project phasing.

District presentation and scope
Steve Schreyer, principal architect for Freightech Vyse Hopkins Doothy, told the board the submission bundle includes rehabilitation projects for all buildings, upgraded districtwide HVAC controls, replacements of select HVAC units, roof and envelope repairs, public-address and clock/messaging system upgrades and selective fire alarm work. He said the middle school scope proposes a two-story, 24,500-square-foot classroom addition and an 11,000-square-foot gym addition to accommodate a planned shift of sixth grade into William Allen Middle School.

On the high school campus, Schreyer described site changes that would relocate the district bus depot onto what is currently Field 1 and replace other fields with turf. \"Field Number 1, which is adjacent to current bus depot at the high school, we're gonna be removing this field. This is going to be the location of the proposed bus depot,\" Schreyer said. He also described a proposed freestanding bus maintenance garage, new staff parking and a new entrance drive from Bridgeboro Road.

Flood hazard, wetlands and timeline questions
Board members and district staff noted the proposed bus-depot site sits near a waterway and will require a hydrology study and agency review. Schreyer and the district's engineering consultant said a preliminary review of flood-hazard maps did not show an established delineation but that a detailed hydrology and wetlands analysis will be required and that an agency process could be lengthy. \"There's gonna be a lot of survey, a hydrology study that will take place, and then we're gonna be, have to make an agency submission to the Department of Environmental Protection,\" Schreyer said. The team estimated roughly an 18-month timeline for the survey and related work before construction could proceed on the site-dependent elements.

Costs, state aid and next steps
Schreyer presented estimated project costs by building: about $17 million at elementary schools, $50 million at the middle school and about $44 million at the high school, for a proposed package totaling approximately $112.5 million. Dr. McNeely and other board members noted the district expects to seek some state aid and that final tax impacts will depend on NJDOE review and decisions about question structure on a ballot. \"The board is not voting on specific projects, and I wanted to make that very clear to you because this is not the formation of the questions or the tax impact,\" Dr. McNeely said.

The board passed a resolution to submit the revised project applications to the New Jersey Department of Education by roll call vote (see \"Votes at a glance\"). Schreyer said, if the board directs submission, the NJDOE review could take about 90 days and the district anticipates notification about potential state aid by June; the board would then determine referendum question structure and voter timing.

What the board approved and did not approve
The board approved sending the applications to the NJDOE for review. The board did not adopt referendum language, set tax rates or authorize construction spending at this meeting. District officials said phasing and project order will be driven by agency approvals, the hydrology/wetlands work and decisions about which projects to place on ballot questions.

Provenance
\"topicintro\": excerpt from superintendent opening describing submission and scope (transcript block at 834.605: \"...we brought our architect from Fray Tech, Vyse, Hopkins, and Doothy to present the projects that we're proposing in the referendum. As you know, we're pushing for a fall vote now...\").

\"topfinish\": excerpt from architect summary and timeline (transcript block at 1848.8999: \"...we would have everything ready to go, this week. It's gonna be about a 90 day review period...that puts us in the June when we anticipate a notification from the Department of Education to hear about potential state aid...\").

Ending
The district said it will hold further public information sessions and post presentations and videos on the district referendum page (mtps.com → referendum) as the NJDOE review proceeds. If the NJDOE returns the applications with eligible state aid, the board will determine final ballot questions and timing for a public vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Moorestown BOE Meeting 3/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Moorestown Township Public School District board voted to authorize submission of revised project applications totaling about $112.5 million to the New Jersey Department of Education for review, Superintendent Dr. Courtney McNeely and district architect Steve Schreyer said at the meeting.","taxTitle","Moorestown Township Public School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",53770,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6034681,"Students, parents and community press board to add Lunar New Year to school calendar; board members say committee process will be prioritized next year",5800,3069000,8869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68&start=3069&end=8869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68/thumbnail_3069000.jpg","/articles/6034681/New-Jersey/Students-parents-and-community-press-board-to-add-Lunar-New-Year-to-school-calendar-board-members-say-committee-process-will-be-prioritized-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034681-147fcca51dfc8225262bc1322df61b30/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969141&Signature=CSB8Eng51lEw1htS2XJQyeo4OD5rUyYSZWEvXsdlXfSMuNma4hvd7FzT8l4raJS~1uf-NTUGzbyBnvoYDQvVlTwtpumLLriSN61MTJmMDpDvWmDjNFBIKljUatwHhNmeXjvu4ncEaxXQSoDVH2MRxO-ZzTt3CTN7dFqQuZJK-jqbk1BI7-HfxUSPBqVvN8d0WK2mcmuH~x7dBPt60nVhkPhqS2jwPM3dfsdayoUV5LozDk~yAIXwz-H5qURmZE1uFVFBTYnJj~Ku-09L4ruShPjAdYxKT6z4phXRJ0cgcGmo9--jdufrCs33jeQ0wei-bgvbsKyeSnWc58AhCNsWJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students, parents, teachers and community members urged the Moorestown Township Public School District board to recognize Lunar New Year as an observed school holiday, saying the omission marginalizes Asian families and forces students to choose between school obligations and family observance.

The public-comments period featured multiple student speakers, parents and local organizers who said the district already recognizes other religious and cultural observances and should extend the same accommodation to Lunar New Year. Student speakers described family traditions and the difficulty of missing school for important religious and cultural observances. One student, Tyler Lehi, said: \"I want my friends to appreciate and respect my culture, my holiday, and my traditions, just like Diwali, Eid, and Jewish holidays are recognized.\" Community speaker Sydney Jo said, \"We are not asking for special treatment. We are only asking for fair treatment.\"

Process, committee and board response
Board members and administration representatives explained the calendar is produced by a standing calendar committee composed of district and building representatives, and some board members said the calendar work is complex and involves many constraints. In response to the public comments the board and administration acknowledged concerns and several board members pledged to prioritize consideration of Lunar New Year in the next calendar cycle. One board member told the audience the matter \"should be a priority for next year\" if it cannot be resolved for the coming school year.

What the board did and did not do
No formal calendar change was made at the meeting. Members of the public asked the board to revisit the 2025–26 calendar; board members repeated that the calendar committee process exists and said they would give the request priority for the next calendar cycle and provide public updates. The administration posted a district referendum page and other materials online; the board said it will post updates to the calendar process and consider community input.

Community reaction and next steps
Speakers included parents, current students and alumni; community-led events and cultural programming in town and school extracurricular clubs were cited in public comment as evidence of community capacity and interest. Several speakers presented comparative data showing other high‑rated districts in New Jersey have recognized Lunar New Year on their calendars. Multiple board and community members said they would continue to engage through the calendar committee and public sessions.

Provenance
\"topicintro\": first public-comment invitation for agenda items (transcript block at 3069.0518: \"We are now to our first public comment section... relate to items on the agenda...\")

\"topfinish\": board closing remarks and commitment to consider the request in future calendar cycles (transcript block at 8847.359: \"...I hear you. I understand... I am sure that your comments will be considered every year that the calendar is developed.\")

Ending
The board made no immediate calendar change. Administrators said they will continue to communicate through the calendar committee, post updates and consider Lunar New Year for future calendars; community members said they will continue to press the district for action.","Dozens of students, parents, teachers and community members urged the Moorestown board to add Lunar New Year to the district calendar. Speakers described personal and cultural harms from exclusion; board members defended the calendar committee process and several said the issue would be a priority for the next calendar cycle.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6034685,"Board approves 2025–26 budget introduction; 2% levy increase plus health-care adjustment estimated to add about $86 per average home",2237,3618000,5855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68&start=3618&end=5855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121909-d5f294e62fad941e276cd388fdb64e68/thumbnail_3618000.jpg","/articles/6034685/New-Jersey/Board-approves-202526-budget-introduction-2-levy-increase-plus-health-care-adjustment-estimated-to-add-about-86-per-average-home","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034685-e42c1d6c0bffe5d689c0501e0941cc75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969142&Signature=PKDVyRNvUvxqfCWBjqNPVC8lHvtfbPC~X-yYQOpIS2aogbUA9YZpe2kiFp8zeIBKmJ8w4PW9Sxu7bFCzQ1zXymCyBgx29IZN84D6-AShFz4PdUR0hPjkVjKA4LM9Eecc54iiVN-KTiyDOhAhbYCYYMXRJCw8kUb1X1V2RF~pVERKNpPSoXMpfJhRDIm9NAC4YIGjWMg9AJTeW1aF60c8D9EePJWm~VI4FNTVqtLG21r~kMTySDL~5shaOES8hQK6wlG33dSm3zQOj6kqZ-y7Twr-E1P-9kBom7HA0HZvatxemUgcCUJFfG6CcPTX-EmhHLoRxy8DvlAsVSgbnUTJhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moorestown Township Public School District board approved introduction and submission of the 2025–26 budget to the county for review by roll call vote, District Business Administrator James Heizer said.

The proposed budget uses a 2% allowable tax-levy increase plus a health-care adjustment, the administration said. The district presented revenue and appropriation highlights during the meeting and said the average assessed homeowner (the administration used an example home valued at $461,000) would see an estimated $86 annual increase tied to the budget. The board approved moving the budget forward for county review and scheduled a public hearing and adoption vote on April 29, the presentation said.

Why it matters: Administrators said the budget preserves programs while responding to sizable cost drivers—most notably health-care premiums and insurance—without making deep service cuts. The budget will determine staffing, curriculum purchases and maintenance projects for the coming year.

Key figures and drivers
Business Administrator James Heizer said the district is budgeting a health-benefits increase of about $2.2 million (roughly 13.4 percent) and a smaller 6 percent rise in other insurance lines. State aid increased by roughly $375,000 compared with the current year, but the administration said Moorestown remains below a full formula funding level. Heizer said the district budgeted roughly $1.5 million for Extraordinary Aid reimbursements (a state reimbursement program for unusually high special-education costs) based on a conservative 75 percent reimbursement assumption.

On the revenue side, the budget uses available reserves in several funds, including a planned withdrawal from the district's School Health Insurance Fund dividend balance and from the Joint Insurance Fund dividend balance to smooth one-time costs. The administration said it will continue to monitor energy and electric supply costs after a regional pricing update that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and PJM released; the district budgeted an electricity increase of about $110,000 based on recent bid guidance.

Programs, staffing and capital
Superintendent Dr. Courtney McNeely and directors outlined curriculum and staffing priorities included in the budget: a K–5 math adoption and curriculum writing, targeted professional development, two added positions (a K–3 technology teacher in each K–3 building and a high-school nurse with district-wide coverage), and continued investment in 1:1 student devices and aging-technology replacements. Operational capital elements in the plan include continued work on the Baker Elementary HVAC project (with partial state ROD grant funding) and targeted chiller repairs at the high school.

Vote and next steps
The board approved introduction and submission of the 2025–26 budget by roll call (see \"Votes at a glance\"). The administration will submit the budget to the county for review and hold a public hearing and adoption vote on April 29. The board and administration said they will continue to report to the public about budget changes and funding assumptions as state numbers and insurance markets evolve.

Provenance
\"topicintro\": excerpt from budget presentation start (transcript block at 3618.1748: \"And, James, I think you're gonna give us the budget, budget presentation now...\")

\"topfinish\": excerpt from roll call approving budget (transcript block at 5829.02: \"Can I get a motion to approve items 1 and 2 in section d 1 of our agenda, which includes approval of the budget... Roll call... Miss Arquera Burns? ... Yes. ... Mister Villanueva? Yes.\")

Ending
The board's approval sends the proposed spending plan to the county for the statutorily required review; the district reiterated that final tax impacts will depend on state aid receipts, reserves used and final decisions at adoption.","The Moorestown Township Public School District board approved introduction and submission of the 2025–26 budget, authorizing a tax levy increase that includes a 2% cap raise plus an adjustment tied to health-care costs. Officials detailed staffing changes, program priorities and major cost pressures including a 13.4% rise in health benefits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Moorestown board authorizes submission of revised $112.5 million project applications to NJDOE; bus depot, turf fields highlighted

Students, parents and community press board to add Lunar New Year to school calendar; board members say committee process will be prioritized next year

Board approves 2025–26 budget introduction; 2% levy increase plus health-care adjustment estimated to add about $86 per average home