Marlboro Board presents Nov. 4 referendum to add air conditioning to two elementary schools

Marlboro Township School District officials on Tuesday presented details of a $5.3 million referendum on the Nov. 4 general-election ballot that would add classroom air conditioning to Asher Homes and Robertsville elementary schools.

Superintendent Paul Malone said the proposal is designed so taxpayers would not face an added tax burden if voters approve the question. “Put very simply. We’re looking to add air conditioning to both Asher Homes Elementary School and Robertsville Elementary School,” Malone said.

District leaders told the audience that the financing plan combines up to $2.1 million in state school construction aid — described during the presentation as up to 40% of the estimated project cost — with about $3.2 million in the district’s capital reserve account to cover the balance. Vincent Caravell, the district’s business administrator, said the district would issue short-term bond anticipation notes to fund the work immediately and use the state aid and existing reserves to retire that borrowing within the next fiscal year.

Why this matters: Board members framed the…