On Tuesday, September 30th, the residents of Southampton will be asked to vote on a $7.5 million dollar bond referendum to authorize the acquistion of air conditioning systems at all three schools and to install a generator in School #2 for the use of the facility as a community shelter during emergencies.
The Southampton Township Board of Education has obtained grant approval from the New Jersey School Development Authority (SDA) that will provide funding for up to 40% of the project. The SDA or state share equates to $3,014,000 of the total cost. The school district is responsible for the remaining 60% of the cost, which equals $4,521,000.
Due to the total cost of the project, the school district can not accomplish the installation of the generator or air conditioning via the normal budgeting process or capital reserve. Therefore, approval of a bond referendum is required for the project to proceed. It should be noted that the availability of the SDA grant funds is contingent upon the community approving the bond referendum.
Residents will vote on whether to approve or reject the bond referendum on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Community members who live in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 will vote at Southampton School #3. Residents who live in Leisuretowne (Districts 5 and 6) will be able to vote at Laurel Hall which is located in Leisuretowne.
The ballot question will be as follows:
"Voters are asked to authorize a bond issuance of $4,521,000 for the acquisition of air conditioning systems at all three schools and the acquisition and installation of a generator in School #2 for emergency management use. The State of New Jersey is providing grants in the amount of $3,014,000 for the total project of $7,535,000."
The Board of Education cordially invites all Southampton residents to attend a special meeting on Monday, September 15, 2014, at 8:00 P.M. in School #1, All-Purpose Room. School #1 is located at 26 Pleasant Street in Vincentown Village. The Board will provide an overview of the proposed referendum and seek input as to whether to pursue a 10 or 15 year bond if the voters approve the referendum.
In addition, representatives from the school district will be providing the residents of Leisuretowne with an overview at the Leisuretowne Civic Association meeting on September 17th.
Residents will have one final opportunity to learn about the referendum at the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on Monday, September 22, 2014. This meeting will be conducted in the School #1, All-Purpose Room and commence at 8:00 P.M.
Please click on the documents link to access information pertaining to the fiscal impact as well as additional information pertaining to the air conditioning and generator.
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