MONTVALE—The Montvale Board of Education on Aug. 30 cleared spending up to $50,000 this year, with an option for annual reappointment, on a communications firm specializing in bond referendum communications.
The resolution notes the firm, Laura Bishop Communications, LLC, of Cherry Hill, will “provide communication specialist and public relations services for the Referendum Projects.”
No additional information on “referendum projects” was initially provided by the Montvale Public School District, which includes Memorial Elementary School and Fieldstone Middle School.
According to Superintendent Dr. Darren Petersen, following calls from Pascack Press, much more information will be presented to taxpayers soon and the public will have ample time for input.
It is not yet known if any such referendum is expected with the Nov. 2 general election.
We had noted the resolution approving the communications contract and its related Aug. 31 legal notice. The resolution sets a billable rate of $115 per hour, with a maximum of $35,000 from Aug. 16 though Dec. 31, 2021. It adds professional video production would add $10,000 to $15,000.
The contract and resolution authorizing the award are on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Montvale Board of Education, Monday–Friday, at 47 Spring Valley Road between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Petersen told us on Sept. 1, “It has been about 20 years since the last major renovations at Montvale’s schools. Some of our building systems need to be replaced with more reliable and efficient equipment, and our facilities need upgrades to keep up with modern curriculum needs and expectations.”
He said, “Meanwhile, increasing enrollment projected with all of the developments taking place in Montvale creates a need for more classroom space to maintain small class sizes.”
Petersen said, “In 2019, a strategic plan shaped by community input helped define what Montvale community members expect from their public schools. We have researched how to meet those needs, including the idea of a bond referendum. A voter-approved bond referendum opens the door to new state aid, and so this approach is part of Montvale’s strategic network of funding to maintain quality schools within a responsible fiscal policy.”
He added, “This is a long process with many steps along the way. The Board of Education has researched, but not yet finalized, a project list.”
He emphasized that discussions have focused on goals of keeping class sizes low, modernizing instructional facilities, and taking advantage of state aid to replace old building systems for efficiency and comfort.
He said additional steps in will include “opportunities for the public to learn more about Montvale’s goals and how a bond referendum could achieve them.”
On its website, Laura Bishop Communications says it is “New Jersey’s premier school public relations firm” and provides write-ups and links to bond referendum projects that the agency has worked on recently, including in River Vale, Emerson and Ramsey. River Vale voters approved two bond questions in April for most of a $35.7 million bond referendum to make facilities improvements and install an air conditioning system.
On its bond referendum page, the firm says, “Those high-stakes votes for capital improvements require too much work, time, emotion, and money to do anything but a full-court-press effort.”