West Essex board previews $49.5 million referendum, estimates $9.3 million in state aid and modest monthly tax impacts

The West Essex Regional School District Board of Education on July 15 reviewed state-aid estimates and tax impacts for a two-question bond referendum that would fund about $49.5 million in projects across the district. Superintendent Damien Michoci led the presentation and said the district is eligible for approximately $9,300,000 in state aid if both questions are approved by voters.

Michoci said Question 1 would total roughly $42 million and cover a high-school two-story addition and media-center renovation, a middle-school auditorium renovation, HVAC upgrades (select classroom units and rooftop units), exterior wall and window replacement at the high school, and field and drainage improvements. He said security upgrades — including secure vestibules at both schools — account for roughly 6% of Question 1. “If both questions pass, the district is eligible for approximately $9,300,000 in state funding,” Michoci said.

Question 2 is roughly $7.5 million and includes interior doors and hardware and additional security projects; Michoci emphasized Question 2 can be approved only if Question 1 passes. He said the security projects included in Question 2 qualify for the maximum available state aid for that type of work — about $1,000,000.

The district presented estimated household tax impacts based on 20-year bonds at an assumed 4% interest rate and 2025 assessed values (not market values). For the average assessed home, Michoci said the estimated monthly increase for Question 1 would be: Essex Fells $21; Fairfield $15; North Caldwell $22; Roseland $15. If voters approve both questions, the combined estimated monthly impacts would be Essex Fells $25, Fairfield $18, North Caldwell $26, and Roseland $18. Bond counsel explained the monthly figures are the per-month payment while the bonds are outstanding; to estimate a household’s total cost, multiply the monthly amount by 12 and then by the bond term (20 years).

The board noted the district has been planning the referendum since 2019 and that slides and a May 11 presentation recording are available on the district website. Michoci said the referendum questions would move forward to a November 3 ballot if the board approves them for the election and that the district will continue community forums and informational sessions where architects, engineers and financial advisors will be available to answer questions. Residents were directed to the referendum email address votewestex dot org for questions and lookup tools.

The presentation followed a brief personnel announcement: the board said it will approve Lauren Summers as the new middle-school assistant principal; the district described Summers as a 23-year employee and former lead science teacher. CJ De Liberto, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, reported 259 graduates in June 2026 and said no students were denied graduation and none required the portfolio process; he added five special-education students used alternate-assessment accommodations.

During public comment, a Roseland resident, Darrow Domingian, questioned vague wording in a finance agenda item and asked whether the district would form a consortium so small Title III awards (about $3,000) could be accepted. An ad hoc committee chair for the referendum urged residents to review materials and attend forums and framed the per-household cost in everyday terms while encouraging public support for the projects.

The district plans to present these figures again at the September meeting and said the vote — if approved for the ballot — would be held Nov. 3.