HILLSDALE—School trustees have accepted a state Department of Education letter confirming the district will receive slightly over $18 million in state aid—an increase over the anticipated $16 million—should residents approve the $62.4 million bond referendum to renovate George White Middle School on Sept. 17.
The preliminary eligible costs (PEC) letter from the state education department was received June 17 and unanimously accepted at the school board’s June 24 meeting.
The PEC letter estimates final renovation costs at $62,359,361, increasing the prior estimated total by $1,101,361. During previous public forums, officials had estimated the total project cost at $61,258,000.
Lombardy told Pascack Press that prior numbers were always estimates, and information sheets handed out at the last forum on Jan. 11 note, “All costs are estimates,” and highlight costs for the lowest cost Option 3 renovations with “Estimated Costs For Each Option” in bold.
Option 3 was selected by the public over three input forums soliciting community feedback. (See “Board OKs $61M George White Renovation Question for Fall,” Michael Olohan, Feb. 17, 2024, Pascack Press online.)
In an email to parents and residents on June 25, Lombardy wrote, “We have exciting news to share! The Hillsdale Board of Education unanimously approved an action to accept the state’s contribution of $18 million in state aid toward the proposed Sept. 17, 2024, referendum project. The Hillsdale community will get these funds as long as voters approve paying the remainder to modernize George G. White Middle School.”
While the approved state aid amount was slightly under $2 million more than anticipated—the board previously estimated receiving $16,090,000—the superintendent told Pascack Press that actual impacts on property taxes were not yet available.
“This will be helpful in controlling costs,” said Lombardy. Asked if he was happy with the additional state aid, he said, “I am, I am.”
Lombardy said he would communicate the news to parents soon via email. School officials also plan a virtual public forum on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. with the architect, buildings and grounds committee, bond counsel, and trustees to answer questions.
Moreover, school officials will present the referendum at the Aug. 26 school board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook School.
Lombardy said the “previous referendum experience highlighted the challenge that’s been in existence. People are aware that action needs to be taken at the middle school.”
“This referendum is an investment in your children and schools and will pay dividends in learning and growth for the kids and in property values that will continue to rise,” Lombardy said.
Before the increase in state aid, the proposed renovation was estimated to cost the average homeowner $867.85 more in property taxes, or $72.32 per month, over a bond term of 20 years.
The Sept. 17 referendum follows the nearly 2-to-1 defeat of an $82.7 million school bond referendum in March 2023 that sought to replace the 102-year-old middle school with a new building and a new artificial turf field.
Based on comments at three prior public forums in late 2023 and early 2024, school officials said most residents appeared to favor the lowest cost renovation option at $61.2 million, which offered a full renovation of the century-old middle school, plus six classrooms for STEM classes and projected enrollment increases.
The renovation includes new windows, doors, HVAC, roof, asbestos abatement, a new multipurpose room, a new classroom/stage, kitchen storage, and added restrooms. Fifth-graders will remain at the middle school under this proposal, officials said. A new artificial turf field is not included in the $61 million proposal.
Lombardy said a postcard informing residents about the Sept. 17 referendum had been mailed to Hillsdale residents and noted he had appeared at other town events. He said he received “positive feedback” at public events about the upcoming referendum.
“We’ve heard the community: They wanted more state aid, a lower tax impact, and to save George White. This referendum accomplishes all these goals,” he told us.
The school board president and vice president are Justin Saxon and Christina Jennings, respectively. Regular members are Sal Sileo, Kevin Donatello, and Michael Kenduck.
For more articles about the referendum, search for “George White Middle School” at PascackPress.com.
Editor’s note: This story replaces a similar report we posted June 24 that used a now-outdated figure that nevertheless was believed accurate at the time of publication. Our print edition of this story, going out July 1, 2024, will be identical to this one.