RIVER VALE, N.J.—On Tuesday, April 20, River Vale’s 8,561 registered voters can head to the polls 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to decide whether to spend $42.5 million to upgrade its three district schools, which includes a $35.7 million bond issue to cover much of the cost.
Although the voters will be voting on questions approving $35.7 million in bonds, additional costs include $6.7 million in capital reserves that has been set aside by district officials for the school improvement projects on the referendum.
District officials said voters should visit their referendum website at rivervaleschools.com/vote for details on all three questions, tax impacts, frequently asked questions and why the timing is right now.
Officials noted the district will receive $10 million in state aid, about 30 percent of bonded costs, should voters approve the referendum questions. Officials also said that a previously approved 20-year schools bond is expiring this year.
Voters will decide on three questions April 20 that address building improvements including new roofs and entryways, high-efficiency air conditioning in schools, and adding wellness centers to the two elementary schools.
If each of three referendum questions is approved, the average taxpayer will pay about $148 more yearly for 25 years, though that amount will likely be reduced as 249 housing units under construction now at the Fairways at Edgewood development join local tax rolls.
While tax-saving estimates were not available for the Fairways at Edgewood units, project professionals stressed during an online forum April 6 that the annual tax costs of the referendum will be lower for taxpayers over the years.
A public notice published in April by Bergen County’s Board of Elections summarized the referendum’s impact on taxpayers.
“If all three bond proposals are approved by the voters at this election, the Board of Education will be authorized to undertake school capital projects for a total cost of $42,499,585, including $6,770,000 from capital reserve, and to issue bonds in the total principal amount of $35,729,585 to fund the projects. The aggregate amount of the final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education is $36,629,628 (with $15,864,808 allocated to Holdrum Middle School, $8,867,235 allocated to Roberge Elementary School and $11,897,585 allocated to Woodside Elementary School),” states the notice.
“The proposed improvements include $1,618,760 (with $1,358,500 allocated to Holdrum Middle School, $110,110 allocated to Roberge Elementary School and $150,150 allocated to Woodside Elementary School) for school construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support,” the notice states.
A copy of the public notice can be found at njpublicnotices.com.
District officials stressed April 6 that this year is an optimal time to bond for the improvements, noting it will get about $10 million in state aid—nearly 30% of the bonded amount—and reduce the debt further by using $6.7 million in capital reserve funds to reduce property tax impacts.
Online Forum Questions Answered
During the forum, resident Cheryl Berkowitz called to confirm that the proposed air conditioning units would filter out allergens.
Steven Secora of LAN Associates told her that rooftop units being proposed had a higher MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating, which means they more effectively remove dust, allergens and certain contaminants.
The district, he said, already had made improvements by adding needlepoint bipolar ionization systems to existing AC units. The referendum website notes the filtration system will be added on all new AC equipment.
Asked why the district could not install window units, he noted that window AC units are mainly for residential use and “just recirculate air” in a room and do not bring in any outside air or efficiently filter the air.
One resident wondered if air conditioning was so important, why present it as a separate referendum question?
Board President Lorraine Waldes noted that air conditioning was left as a separate question to give voters a choice, although she said “it is very important and we hope that all three questions pass.”
Waldes said that 20 years ago, the referendum did not pass that included air-conditioning upgrades. She noted that question #1 included necessary improvements such as roofing replacement, and school facilities upgrades including new classroom space and covered canopies.
Another resident asked whether the wellness centers proposed in referendum question 3 will help reduce the stigma about seeking mental health services.
Cristine Casbar, a school psychologist, said establishing the wellness centers at both Woodside and Roberge elementary schools “adds credibility and importance to it [mental health]” and noted that students may feel more comfortable by doing yoga than talking about a problem.
Joelle DeGaetano, a social worker, said that no additional staff would be necessary to run the wellness centers, and noted that these types of spaces were “very near and dear to me” and offered students a chance to deal with anxiety and stress that only increased during the pandemic.
Waldes noted that the referendum now “really is a perfect storm” of low interest rates, state debt relief, capital reserve “savings” to be applied to the debt, and the final payoff of a 20-year school bond that ends in 2021.
She stressed that the new wellness centers at both elementary schools and the middle school were critical parts of the referendum and would help the district address mental health concerns “in a very proactive way.”