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With fiscal outlook grim, just 7 of 19 funding plans win approval...The school building bubble appears to have burst in much of New Jersey. Due to a combination of the state's school funding morass and more local concerns, New Jersey voters -- or at least the few who braved the cold -- backed just seven out of 19 school building proposals on Tuesday, the lowest approval rate since 2001.
School bond plans get resounding 'no'
The school building bubble appears to have burst in much of New Jersey.
Due to a combination of the state's school funding morass and more local concerns, New Jersey voters -- or at least the few who braved the cold -- backed just seven out of 19 school building proposals on Tuesday, the lowest approval rate since 2001.
The referendums ended a rough year for the suburban districts, with fewer than 60 percent of the 89 school building proposals overall winning approval. That's the lowest annual rate since 1999. The average of the five previous years was nearly 75 percent.
Much of the blame was placed on the state's fiscal condition, especially the ongoing troubles at the Schools Construction Corp., the agency under fire for spending down the mammoth $8.6 billion school construction program.
The SCC has said funds for new projects no longer are available. Along with the state's own deficit and escalating property taxes, one school leader called it a "perfect storm" of forces working against districts.
"Without a solution that appears imminent, it's dark days," said Edwina Lee, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association. "We're expected to have the public's trust, and the trust is running a little low right now."
The losses Tuesday were across the board, among the affluent and working class alike. Sussex County didn't see a single referendum win approval all year, including those at High Point Regional, Vernon and Sussex-Wantage on Tuesday.
As the tallies arrived, the feeling at the Sussex County Board of Elections on Tuesday night was that residents fed up with rising taxes were taking it out on the one place they get to vote directly on spending -- the schools.
"I have never seen such consistency (in opposition)," said Sussex County Board of Elections Commissioner Nick Lally, a former member of the Green Township school board.
Several of the rejections were for funds to complete work that had started and had been approved. Kinnelon was getting to its high school after it had won approval of $21 million in elementary and middle school projects. Franklin needed another $7 million to finish work at its high school.
Belleville had the highest-priced project of the day, a $55.8 million proposal for renovations and additions to several schools and the replacement of the 102-year-old School No. 4.
But like in many communities, it was up against a tide of discontent, including from older residents already under the strain of property taxes.
"We did our share of paying for the schools," said resident Edith DeFeo, who voted against the Belleville measure. "I'm paying for everybody else's children, and I am on a fixed income. We can't afford to pay for everyone."
Following is a roundup of Tuesday's votes by county:
Englewood Cliffs: Approved renovations to two schools: $4,529,911
Chesterfield Township: Rejected one new school and renovations to another: $19,558,778
Hainesport Township: Rejected a school addition and other repairs and renovations: $23,916,033
Downe Township: Rejected a school addition: $1,234,589
Belleville: Rejected a new school, high school additions and renovations and ventilation repairs at six other schools: $55,776,244
Livingston: Approved high school additions and renovations: $51,521,069
Millburn Township: Rejected additions and renovations for high and middle schools: $40,271,000
Swedesboro-Woolwich: Approved a new elementary school: $31,875,000
North Brunswick Township: Approved the completion of a high school: $7,391,802
Avon: Approved an elementary school addition and renovations: $7,200,721
Freehold Borough: Rejected new and renovated classrooms: $7,797,911
Neptune City: Approved renovations and additions to two elementary schools: $10,122,543 (the total of two questions)
East Hanover Township: Rejected an elementary school addition and renovations: $2,000,000
Kinnelon: Rejected a high school addition and renovations and a reconstructed high school athletic field: $14,013,067 (the total of three questions)
Franklin Township: Rejected a high school completion, including stadium: $7,911,000
High Point Regional: Rejected high school additions and renovations, including work to the auditorium and wood shop: $10,239,858 (the total of two questions)
Sussex-Wantage: Rejected renovations and additions to elementary and middle schools: $20,000,000 (the total of two questions)
Vernon Township: Rejected renovations to three schools: $13,267,900
Berkeley Heights: Approved renovations to six schools: $24,614,147; rejected new field turf and tennis courts at the high school: $679,879.
John Mooney covers education and may be reached at jmooney@starledger.com, or (973) 392-1548. Staff writers Kasi Addison, Kristen Alloway, Sara Clarke and Jim Lockwood contributed to this report.