What you might pay in modernizing George White school

HILLSDALE—School district officials confirmed that after incorporating about $18 million in state aid and a recent debt payoff, the average homeowner will see a tax increase of about $70 per month, or $840 yearly, should voters approve the $62.4 million bond referendum to renovate the 102-year-old George G. White Middle School.

The average assessed home in Hillsdale is $476,107, according to the district referendum website.

District officials noted that the district qualified for $12.6 million more in state aid compared to the 2023 plan to build a new middle school and turf field. This additional aid reduced the estimated school renovation taxes by $24 more than originally anticipated annually, according to numbers released by the school district.

Original district estimates—including estimated state aid—showed Question 1 costing an average homeowner $60.42 per month, and Question 2 costing an average homeowner $11.90 per month.

Under the newly approved $18 million in state aid, Question 1 costs to the average taxpayer are reduced to $58 per month, said school officials, while Question 2 costs (for new construction) remain unchanged. State aid reimbursements are dramatically lower for new construction costs versus renovation costs, school officials previously stated.

Question 1 on the ballot involves the “full renovation” of George White Middle School, reconstruction of the multi-purpose room, and temporary classrooms costing approximately $54 million. Question 2 on the ballot includes constructing six additional classrooms for enhanced STEM programming and future projected enrollment increases, costing about $7 million.

Superintendent Robert Lombardy emailed parents and residents in late June to inform them of the approved state aid and next steps toward a Sept. 17 referendum vote.

“The final step is anticipated on July 18, 2024, when the Board will consider formally voting to send ballot information to Bergen County. The ballot is expected to separate the costs of renovating the school and the costs of adding six classrooms for total costs of about $62.4 million,” Lombardy said.

He added, “After listening to extensive feedback, the Board and administration developed a proposal that met three goals: reduce the overall cost; qualify for more state aid; and save the existing George White Middle School.”

Renovations and an addition are estimated to cost $20.3 million less than the 2023 plan. Renovating, rather than building a new school, qualifies the district for $12.6 million more in state aid compared to the 2023 plan.

Moreover, BOE members discussed a plan to split George White’s needs into two questions on the same ballot. School officials said both questions need to be approved by voters to renovate the existing school and provide more needed classrooms. District officials said if the referendum does not pass, they will likely be back before voters with another referendum to make needed repairs and expand the school.

“For the owner of a home assessed at Hillsdale’s average, the NET property tax impact is estimated at $58 per month for renovations planned for Question 1 and less than $12 per month for the addition planned for Question 2. The NET amount factors in state aid and recent debt payoff,” Lombardy wrote.

In addition to the district’s referendum website, residents can ask questions about the $62.4 million middle school referendum at a virtual forum on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m., and at a public presentation and question-and-answer session on Monday, Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m., at Meadowbrook School. 

The referendum is Tuesday, Sept. 17, with voting from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.