Shamong School District Superintendent Christine Vespe releases statement on March 14 referendum vote
This afternoon, Shamong School District Superintendent Christine Vespe released a statement in regards to the upcoming bond referendum. Shamong residents will be able to vote on this measure March 14. The statement is listed below.
Shamong School District Bond Referendum
The Shamong School District is in need of no-frills improvements and repairs. Assisted by up to 40% eligible funding from the State of New Jersey, we believe this is the right time to ask our citizens for the needed work to be done. The Board of Education continues to put our student’s needs first by promoting a safe, healthy environment to encourage innovative learning. It is essential that our school buildings do the same.
The $5.4 million in project costs would not fit in the current or future budgets with the state-mandated tax levy cap. This fact, in addition to the State of N.J.’s indication that an estimated $1.7 million will be given towards our cost if the vote for the referendum passes, only strengthens the argument that now is the best financial time for this crucial work to be done. In the coming year, the district is retiring old debt, which will reduce the debt service costs on the taxpayers throughout the township. Therefore, you can expect no increase in the debt portion of the tax levy due to this referendum.
I encourage everyone to vote on March 14th as this is an important decision for our school district. Our children are the future…. I hope that we can continue to give them the best educational opportunities possible. Thank you for your support!
Christine Vespe, Ed. D., Superintendent
Shamong School District
