STAFFORD – Voters will soon decide on a crucial $75.7 million bond referendum to tackle overcrowding and upgrade aging infrastructure and technology within the district’s schools. Set for September 17, the referendum would allow for several improvements – a move seen as vital for ensuring quality education in the face of growing enrollment.
The referendum’s passage would result in an estimated $22 monthly tax increase for homeowners with properties valued at the district’s average assessment of $294,141. Professionals retained by the district emphasized that the investment is a necessary step for fiscal responsibility, especially with the potential to secure $15.9 million in state aid to offset costs.
Approximately 100 people attended a recent in-person presentation about the proposed referendum. An unknown number watched online.
“There are three main reasons the district is pursuing a referendum,” said George Chidiac, Superintendent of Schools. “Number one, state aid. If voters approve, the state would pay up to about one quarter of the total project costs.”
Chidiac explained that voters have to approve the work before the state gives any aid. He said that the second reason for pursuing the referendum is that it complements the district’s maintenance plan and helps accommodate future growth.
“We use the annual budget to cover educational expenses and regular maintenance on our buildings,” Chidiac said. “Cuts to the district state aid funding have resulted in major repairs being placed on hold. This was done strategically to keep our budget focused on what is most important, and that’s educating our students.”
Despite increasing enrollment, Stafford Schools has lost 47% of state aid since 2018. The $4 million decrease in the budget leaves no room for large-scale improvements to multiple buildings. The referendum is a last resort as the district has also evaluated Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) and Regular Operating District “ROD” grants.
The third asset to seeking voter approval in September is the anticipated timeline. Construction could start in 2025 on the larger projects, causing the least disruption to education and events. Delayed projects could also result in higher costs.
A 2023 independent demographic study that showed Stafford schools are over capacity, or close to overcapacity. By 2027 and 2028, those numbers are predicted to rise even more. The bottom line is that since COVID, more and more people have been taking up permanent residency in Stafford.
Tony Solimine, Bond Counsel, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer explained that the tax implications would be more favorable if the bond referendum were approved. Solimine emphasized that one of the key benefits of pursuing a referendum is the ability to spread the cost of improvements over the useful life of the assets, typically around 20 years. This approach ensures that everyone who benefits from the upgraded facilities contributes their fair share, rather than placing the entire financial burden on current residents.
“If the district tried to address those needs currently, everybody that currently lives in Stafford would have to pay for those the full costs of those improvements or additions,” shared Solimine. That would be an extreme burden to the taxpayers and to the seniors in the community, if the school district tried to address those costs of those projects, either in this year’s budget or the upcoming budget.”
Local resident Joe Mozella, who often appears at both local and county government meetings, expressed his objections. He argued that many seniors are on fixed incomes, with many only being able to afford cans of dog food for human consumption because their Social Security checks are so low.
Chidiac reminded members of the audience that Stafford Schools did not take advantage of the state’s one time offer to raise school taxes to 9.9 percent. The decrease in state aid is highly suggestive that the local school board could have passed on the increase.
“There are people doing referendums that did go to the 9.9 percent tax levy that did not need voter approval,” Chidiac said. “They’ve done that and are now seeking a referendum. We know as a board and administrative body, that we did not want to do that to our taxpayers.”
Planned School Improvements
With a significant portion of the funds earmarked for completely housing the preschool program at Oxycocus Elementary School, the district invited the public to tour the facility. This hands-on approach, much like the familiar “show and tell” method, allowed community members to see firsthand the areas in need of improvement, making the case for the referendum more tangible and understandable.
Originally built in 1951, the school is in dire need of modernization and upgrades. Electrical outlets in classrooms are sparse, and many of the classrooms don’t have individual bathrooms. This poses a problem with preschool children who must be accompanied by an aide to access a bathroom in the hallway.
Toilet areas are not ADA compliant and make it difficult for children with walkers or wheelchairs to make it through narrow entry doors. Students are at risk for such simple tasks as washing their hands, as they must use a stepstool to reach the sink.
Crumbling ceiling tiles have been replaced with mismatched tiles since they are outdated. Bright fluorescent lights cannot be dimmed, and HVAC systems clank loudly and appear stressed. The outdoor trailer that houses some classrooms has uneven footing and is far from the rest of the building.
Improvements to Oxycocus that account for $55 million of the referendum include construction of a two-story structure to replace the existing modular building that is well beyond its lifespan. Other improvements would rectify current issues, including roof replacement, an updated accessible playground and better access to technology.
By building the proposed addition, the district will be able to move all the preschools under one roof and free up spaces at the other schools for the projected increase in enrollment.
“At the McKinley School, we have some interior upgrades that we’ll be doing,” said Justin Kozick, Project Manager for Spiezle Architectural Group. “The building was constructed in the 70s and was constructed in such a way where we have kind of modular folding partitions separating a lot of the classrooms. These partitions are not great when it comes to acoustics, as they allow sound transfer from classroom to classroom.”
“In addition to that, no electrical outlets can be placed along any of these walls,” Kozick continued. “So, it limits the amount of upgrades on the technology side that can be done in those spaces. In addition, all the cabinetry is from the original construction. Some of it really is falling apart, and it’s time for an upgrade on the storage side.”
The HVAC system at Ronald L. Meinders Primary Learning Center is in need of an update, as are controls to the centralized HVAC controls at Ocean Acres Elementary School.
Improvements slated for Stafford Intermediate School include installation of new flooring in the main entrance, gym, cafeteria and stage. Proposals for the Stafford Township Arts Center (STAC) involve replacement of stage and house lighting as well as audio visual equipment.
Barbara Crystal, a retired Southern Regional High School teacher asked for clarification regarding the STAC project. She first wanted to know if the municipality shares expenses for STAC improvements and asked whether the changes were critical to student learning.
“The township does not contribute, but we view it (the STAC theater) as a revenue source,” Chidiac explained. “The district directly profits from these rentals and these outside community uses.”
Chidiac that revenue from the rentals goes back to the children as it offsets the budget a bit.
A complete list of all of the proposed improvement projects can be found on the Stafford Schools district website.
Voting Information
All eligible voters should consider making an educated vote in the special election slated for September 17th. In-person voting is determined by voting districts, with polls open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Those who prefer voting by mail can request a Vote by Mail ballot by September 10 and ensure return of their mail-in ballot is postmarked no later than September 17.
