Schools

Point Boro Schools Meet Parents, Community; Push For $15.9 Million Referendum

Referendum is Dec. 10

With the public set to decide a $15.9-million Point Pleasant Boro school referendum to repair and upgrade school facilities, the district has stepped up efforts explaining the reasons and impact of the spending plan.

Superintendent Vincent Smith said the district administration has met with parents groups, held information sessions and put out flyers throughout the borough to explain the project.

Smith said the timing of the referendum was based around the district’s ability to secure a promise of reimbursement from the state. State funding will pay for 40 percent of the project’s cost, leaving the district to pay for the remainder through bond notes.

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“We put it off for three and half years to get the funding,” Smith said.
“We are confident on this…We want to get it done.”

Another information session began the November school board meeting, with offers to speak to the district’s professionals who administered the project plans. The board had no questions or comments for the professionals, saying they had extensively heard their presentations before and were satisfied. Smith said the professionals were on hand again to address any questions or comments from the board or public on the referendum.

Find out what's happening in Point Pleasantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Point Pleasant Boro School District is asking voters to approve a $15.9 million building improvement plan on Dec. 10.

The plan addresses “critically needed” repairs and improvements to  according to the district. For example, three of the schools’ roofs are more than 24 years old, have been assessed for repairs and are out of warranty.

The district funded the Ocean Road roof replacement in the current budget cycle, so Point Boro plans to address the roofs at Nellie Bennett, the high school and middle school, then assorted boilers and heating and ventilation units.

The tax impact to the average Point Pleasant Boro taxpayer would be $81 more annually in school taxes, according to the district. The bonding would be repaid through debt service payments in the school budget, after the state’s 40 percent funding.

The school administration has prepared a referendum presentation, posted to its website, and has an email address to further respond to residents’ questions: referendum@pointpleasant.k12.nj.us 


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