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Lacey Township board advances plan for $29 million bond to replace roofs, upgrade HVAC; residents press for cost details
Summary
Acting Superintendent William Zielinski and board members urged approval of a $29 million bond referendum to replace roofs and upgrade HVAC systems at six schools, citing state aid and long-term savings. Public commenters challenged project costs and transparency; the board set public outreach including a district event and website updates.
Lacey Township Board of Education discussed a proposed $29 million bond referendum on Sept. 16 that would fund roof replacements and HVAC upgrades at six district schools and make the district eligible for state building aid if voters approve the measure on Nov. 4.
Acting Superintendent William Zielinski told the board and public the repairs are urgent, saying the district’s roofs “have reached the end of their useful lives” and that failing to act risks leaks, mold and structural damage. He outlined two financing scenarios, saying a general‑fund approach would require roughly $6.3 million a year for five years and would cost the district about $31.5 million overall, while a bond referendum spread over 20 years would require about $1.5 million a year and allow the district to seek 34–40% state aid for eligible projects. “To reject a bond referendum is to knowingly and willfully forfeit millions of dollars in state funding,” Zielinski said.
The proposal drew questions during public comment about how the project costs were calculated and whether full roof replacements are needed at every site. Regina DeCenzo, a resident who reviewed New Jersey Department of Education project letters, read line‑item cost estimates she said she obtained from the NJDOE and urged greater transparency. She told the board the NJDOE letters list costs (as quoted to the board in public comment): Cedar Creek — $2,148,000 (full roof); Forkade River — $2,150,000 (partial roof); Winokah/Lenoka Harbor — $2,382,000; Mill Pond — $5,468,000 (full roof); Lacey Middle School — $3,725,000 (partial roof and HVAC); Lacey High School — $12,965,000 (HVAC and partial roof). Her sum totaled $28,838,000 and she said the project was not ranked emergent by the NJDOE and that backup pricing documentation was not posted online.
Other public speakers framed the referendum in the context of broader district finances. Rhiannon Mendez argued that long‑term state aid reductions make the referendum necessary to capture available aid; several speakers urged the board to provide additional detail on expected tax impacts and the refund process if the referendum fails. Richard Bidnick and others questioned architect and bonding fees cited in public materials and asked that the district publish supporting cost breakdowns, staff salary data and state aid projections.
Board members said outreach is planned before the vote. Boardmember Sal Armato said the district plans to update the website and mail information to residents this month and to staff a board booth at an upcoming Lacey Day where architects and staff will answer questions. Armato said video and photo documentation of standing water on roofs will be posted to help the public visualize the problems staff cited.
No final referendum vote occurred at the meeting; the discussion was part of regular business and public outreach planning. The board approved a slate of routine motions during the meeting, including minutes, bills, transfers, donations and personnel appointments (see “Votes at a glance” below).
