MONTVALE—The public schools superintendent says the Dec. 14 referendum on nearly $30 million in facility upgrades at Fieldstone and Memorial schools did not meet deadlines to be put before residents at the much busier Nov. 2 General Election.
That said, Superintendent Darren Petersen told Pascack Press that the district is excited to bring voters its rationale for upgrades and looked forward to continuing to present on the proposal virtually and in person.
Petersen said recently that there was “no requirement” that the district hold its special election on Dec. 14, although a state law forwarded by the county elections office identifies at least four special election dates, including the second Tuesday in December.
In addition to the likely lower voter turnout Dec. 14 — and amid a traditional busy season of travel and shopping — the special election will cost the district more than if the question was offered to voters at the General Election, according to officials we spoke with.
According to the district’s referendum web portal, “Research for this proposal included the community’s participation in our Strategic Plan, as well as a professional review of facilities. A bond referendum is an ideal way to address identified needs.”
It adds, “The plan reaffirmed the community’s support for small class sizes and desire to see facilities that meet future education needs. Voter approval of this bond referendum will give us a strong, financially smart path to accomplish both.”
An average taxpayer will have to pay about $325 more per year for “likely” 25 years under a $29.4 million school bond referendum that aims to add classrooms and upgrade facilities at the borough’s elementary and middle schools.
That’s according to district officials at the Sept. 27 board meeting, in which a unanimous school board approved a $29.4 million bond issue referendum for Dec. 14.
The state Commissioner of Education reduced the amount eligible for state debt service aid to 40% of that amount — or approximately $21 million of the proposed referendum.
That means, according to school officials, state aid will contribute about 24% to reduce the local share of bonding costs.
“The plan for our schools is well-thought-out, takes into consideration the future needs of the district and we’re trying to be as responsible as we can with this,” board president Ernie DiFiore told Pascack Press at the Sept. 27 school board meeting.
Getting the word out
Meanwhile, the PR push for the referendum is gaining momentum. District business administrator Andrea Wasserman told us on Oct. 26 that officials have presented at the Montvale PTO, the Montvale Educational Foundation (MEF), and the Montvale Senior Club, as well as at the Oct. 17 Montvale Street Fair.
Board members and administrators also plan to present at the meeting of the mayor and council on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. the district hosts a virtual bond proposal information session. Residents can hear from the district, its architect, and financial advisors. The Zoom link will be given at the district’s web portal.
Choosing the date
According to Petersen, the Dec. 14 referendum date was arrived at followed a process:
- The state Department of Education reviews and approves project proposals before school districts can hold a referendum.
- Financial advisors project the impact on property taxes.
- The Board of Education discusses the referendum and ultimately needs to approve a motion to hold a special election.
County Superintendent of Elections Debra Francica sent a state law to Pascack Press that provided four specific dates to hold a special election, but the law neither includes nor excludes General Election day.
Public Law 2001, Chapter 98, approved May 31, 2001, gives four dates when such special elections may be held: the second Tuesday in December, the fourth Tuesday in January, the second Tuesday in March, and the last Tuesday in September.
The district must provide at least 60 days’ notice to county elections officials.
Asked if a Dec. 14 special election would fully represent the will of the people, Petersen told Pascack Press, “All registered voters can submit ballots in both the General Election and Montvale bond referendum.”
Nearly 75% of eligible Bergen County voters cast ballots in the 2020 General Election, with nearly that amount voting in most Pascack Valley towns. Generally, election officials note, turnout for standalone special elections is lower.
Without reference to the proposal’s merits, Francica said a late special election “is a heavy lift for the people” and that it was too early for an estimate on special election costs — but said the figure would account for set-up of voting machines, the number of and hours worked by poll workers, and use of electronic poll books for verifying voter registrations.