Somerville voters asked to approve $44 million school bond for labs, auditorium, turf field and new gym

Somerville Public School District officials on a virtual forum urged residents to consider two linked ballot questions that would fund repairs and additions across the district, including renovated high-school science labs and auditorium, security and accessibility improvements at the middle school and Vanderveer, a multisport synthetic turf field and a new 24,000-square-foot gym at the high school.

The district says Question 1 covers projects at every school, with about $23.2 million in proposed work and state aid estimated in the forum; Question 2 would add a new gym at the high school for about $20.8 million. "A net tax decrease if question 1 passes of $12 per month," Business Administrator Brian Boyce told attendees when describing the district27s tax-impact calculations for an average assessed home.

The referendum matters locally because the district must pass a public bond vote to receive state debt-service aid from the New Jersey Department of Education; presenters said that aid is only available if voters approve the borrowing. Board of Education President Bill Kimmick said the board used a demographer27s five-year enrollment study and sought projects meant to benefit every school in Somerville.

Officials described the key projects in Question 1 as: renovation of five high-school science labs (and their prep rooms), a full auditorium upgrade at the high school (new seating, finishes, theatrical lighting and acoustics), a middle-school security vestibule and…