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Egg Harbor Township officials outline $36 million school bond referendum, plan March 10 vote
Summary
Officials presented a $36 million bond referendum for capital repairs and additions — including a 14‑classroom preschool addition — and said state aid would cover roughly $9 million; board members and residents raised questions about election timing and capacity planning.
Egg Harbor Township school officials on Tuesday outlined a proposed $36 million bond referendum that would finance building repairs, HVAC and control upgrades, athletic improvements and a 14‑classroom addition for preschool students.
Business administrator Mr. Smith told the board the funds are restricted to capital improvements and described a timeline that would place the public vote on March 10. "If it passes, then, we can sell bonds," he said, adding that the district is aiming to keep the debt‑service tax levy steady so taxpayers do not see a year‑to‑year increase.
Why it matters: the district said most projects in the measure qualify for state debt‑service aid; Mr. Smith estimated the district's DAP at about 46% and the state aid at roughly $9 million, though he noted a preschool project (Sleighbaugh Primary addition) does not receive debt‑service aid under current state rules. The presentation listed specific projects: chiller and auditorium work and locker‑room reconfiguration at Fernwood, building automation system upgrades and athletic field and track work at the high school, small‑group classrooms at Miller, roof replacements and boiler repairs at Alder and Swift, and the preschool addition to replace leased space at Bargain Town.
Board members pressed for detail. One member asked whether the Sleighbaugh addition would return Bargain Town preschool students to district buildings; Mr. Smith replied that the majority would likely move to the Davenport sending area to avoid extended busing and that terminating the Bargain Town lease would free general‑fund dollars currently spent on rent. He cautioned that the district expects the complete project schedule to span three to four years from vote to final completion.
Residents questioned the timing and outreach plan. Christy Byrd, a resident, asked why Eagle Academy was removed from the referendum while Slaybaugh (Sleighbaugh) remained, and whether the 14 new classrooms would be sufficient for expected residential growth. "I noticed that Eagle is off the bond referendum due to not receiving debt service aid… but Sleighbaugh also didn't receive debt service aid and they're staying on the referendum," she said, asking for clarification. Mr. Smith said Eagle Academy had been scaled back and removed after review because it did not receive debt service aid and that some projects will be funded through capital reserve instead.
On election timing, Mr. Smith said March was selected in part to secure the first interest payment in fiscal year 2027 and to avoid volatility in the debt‑service levy. He noted the county will provide a price for running a special election (the district estimated it could be roughly $20,000 but board members recalled prior single‑issue election costs above $40,000). Board members discussed holding the referendum during a general election to increase turnout and avoid county costs.
What’s next: Mr. Smith said the district has received preliminary funding letters from the New Jersey Department of Education and that documentation must be submitted to the county board of elections by Jan. 9 to appear on the March ballot. The district plans town halls and targeted outreach via ParentSquare and other channels in January and February.
The board did not record a final vote on authorizing the referendum during the portion of the meeting in the transcript; Mr. Smith and committee reports said the board would be asked to approve the authorizing resolution at the board's Dec. 16 meeting or as the process requires.
