The Haddonfield Board of Education has created an informational website for local taxpayers to learn more about the bond referendum in March.
“The website was designed in order to create a transparent, accessible, informational site in which residents can directly be provided the proper information in regard to the school district’s proposed bond referendum. This information can also be shared via social media sites with new sources of data that reflect actual dynamics of the referendum,” Superintendent Richard Perry said.
The website titled “Haddonfield School District Bond Referendum” can be found at haddonfieldbondreferendum.com.
“This website provides relative videos, frequently asked questions sections, and many other unbiased aspects related to the referendum in order to prepare voters to make an informed decision,” Perry said.
On the homepage, voters learn that the vote for the bond referendum will be Tuesday, March 8 and that the referendum is for critical repairs and maintenance at all five schools, costing the average taxpayer less than 83 cents a day. The homepage also lists the dates of informational and public meetings, the next being Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School Library.
The website also hosts a number of tabs including: Snapshot, an overview of the referendum; Behind the Numbers, giving information on why the schools have the numbers they have; Projects, a list of items in each school that will be addressed through this bond referendum; FAQs, frequently asked questions and answers on the referendum; Video Q&A, a video of questions and answers; Gallery, pictures of areas that need to be addressed at the schools; Vote, information on voting; and Progress, updates to the public if and when the bond is approved.
According to Perry, important information of note that can be found on the website includes: the state of New Jersey committed to paying approximately one-third of the debt service costs for this bond referendum; the BOE spent approximately two years in consultation with architects, engineers and building project professionals in identifying critical needs of the school district’s building infrastructure; and these building issues go beyond what can be addressed through the school district’s operating budget with mandatory 2 percent caps.
“The board believes that the referendum is reflective of these identified critical building concerns that need to be addressed,” Perry said.
The bond total cost is $35.3 million with an estimated yearly tax impact of $300.49 for the average assessed home at $484,226. The referendum is split into two questions, with the second question having a part A and B. Question 1 must be approved before Question 2 for anything on Q2 to succeed.
Q1 addresses critical needs that the district says have to be addressed immediately, including steel, brick and mortar components that keep the buildings standing, the roofs from leaking, and the doors and windows functioning. Also included are replacement of inefficient and failing HVAC systems, and replacement of outdated communications systems essential for security.
The total cost of Q1 is estimated at $30.2 million.
Q2A addresses air-conditioning key parts of each school, and Building Automation System Control to operate utilities with modern efficiency.
The total cost of Q2A is estimated at $3. 7 million.
Q2B addresses critical repairs at the high school stadium and track. Without those restorations, use of the stadium and track will be significantly restricted, officials said.
The total cost of Q2B is estimated at $1.4 million.
The vote for the bond referendum will be on Tuesday, March 8. Voters must be registered by no later than Feb. 16. Polling hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vote by mail is available, and further voting information can be found on the website.
Perry hopes this website will help the public feel informed enough to make an educated decision on voting and to have residents participate in open forums such as informational nights, BOE meetings and Parent Teacher Association meetings.
The school district paid for and published the website, which is dedicated to providing information about the March 8 bond referendum. Get updated information as it becomes available by following school district on Facebook and @haddonschools on Twitter.
