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Save the Date...Dec. 8 eNews
Improved Buildings... Successful Students...
Strong Community
  ,

You have probably wondered what is happening on December 8th? Why is the District is asking me to save the date? As we all know there comes a time when we have to do maintenance on our homes in order to maintain a level of safety, and pride where we we live.

For years the Burlington Township School District has been fiscally responsible and great caretakers of our properties. The time has come for us to do some necessary work in each of our buildings, which your children call home.  That is why we have asked you to save the date, Dec. 8.  We are having a special election on Dec. 8 to request permission to raise funds through the sale of bonds in order to finance some much needed maintenance projects in our home. 

This special newsletter is the first of many newsletters that will explain the bond referendum and everything involved.   This newsletter will begin to provide some basic details regarding the special election.  During the coming months, we will host special referendum meetings, post videos, and answer any questions you may have about this bond referendum.  

This first edition will focus on providing an overview of all the proposed projects.  The next edition will give more details regarding each one.  This referendum touches every school and impacts every child in the district.  

Stay tuned for the next edition which will provide more details of each project.  We will also answer questions that you submit regarding the referendum. Please use the question portal to submit your questions regarding the referendum.

As always, I thank you for continuing to read the newsletters. Our goal is to provide full transparency so you have a complete understanding of the referendum and its impact.

So please save the date...December 8.

Liz
What is a Referendum? 


It is a special election, a vote on a single Referendum Question to authorize the District to raise funds through the sale of bonds to finance the Improved Buildings... Successful Students...Strong Community facilities reinvestment initiative.  
The vote is scheduled for December 8, 2015.


What work will be done?
The following is an overview the work.  More details regarding each project will explained in the next edition of the newsletter. 

B. Bernice Young School
School projects include -
  • New flooring and bleachers in the gym
    Overview:  The rubber flooring and the bleachers in the Young School gym are 21 years old.  The floor is peeling and long overdue for replacement.  
     
  • Renovation of restrooms for ADA compliance
    Overview: The restrooms that will be renovated date back to the original design from the 1960s and are not ADA compliant.   
     
  • Repair parking areas and driveway
    Overview:  This project consists of milling and repaving the existing parking areas and driveways.  
     
  • Replace roofing over "B", "C" and "E" wings and the gym.
    Overview: The roof is over 20 years old in these wings. The District has done a great deal of patchwork over the years along with routine maintenance.  We are unfortunately experiencing leaks from the roofs in these wings. We are forced to put trash cans and buckets to catch water whenever it rains.  This becomes a safety hazard for our students and staff. 
Fountain Woods Elementary School
School project includes -
  • Restoration of deteriorating exterior canopies
    Overview: The 18 year old canopy, built in 1997, at Fountain Woods shelters our students from the elements. The canopy is deteriorating and in need of repair.
Burlington Township Middle School
School project includes -
  • New irrigation for athletic fields
    Overview: The High School and Fountain Woods fields are irrigated with well water.  We are looking to do the same thing for the Middle School fields. Well maintained fields begin with proper irrigation and result in reducing the risk for athletic injuries. Although these fields are not used for HS athletics, they are used for the Township Recreation programs and Middle School physical education classes.
Thomas O. Hopkins School
School projects include -
  • Replacement of floor and bleachers in the gym
    Overview: The wood flooring and the bleachers are in need of repair.  The District has done a great deal of maintenance and repairs over the years.  The wood floor can no longer be sanded and must be replaced.  Failure to do this work may result in the District being ineligible to host NJSIAA events.  
     
  • New irrigation system to the Athletic Fields
    Overview: We are looking to irrigate the Hopkins fields with well water, as already done in the other High School fields. Well maintained fields reduce the risk for athletic injuries. 
     
  • Renovation of restrooms 
    Overview: The restrooms that will be renovated date back to the original design and are not ADA compliant. 
     
  • Repair the main entry parking and driveway loop.
    Overview: This project consists of milling and repaving the existing parking areas and driveways.  
Burlington Township High School
School projects include -
  • Replacement of flooring, seating, sound and light systems in the PAC
    Overview: The Performing Arts Center has served our community for 15 years.  During this time, the District has worked hard to maintain the facilities.  These items must be replaced in order for our PAC to continue to be a source of pride for our District and our town.
  • Replace Weight Room equipment and flooring
    Overview: The safety of our student athletes is a top priority.  Our current weight room must be upgraded or we may be forced to close this area,  
  • Replace flooring and bleachers in the gym
    Overview: The wood flooring and the bleachers are in need of repair.  The District has done maintenance and repairs over the years.  The wood floor can no longer be sanded and must be replaced.  Failure to do this work may result in the District being ineligible to host NJSIAA events.  
  • Complete renovation of the kitchen and cafeteria
    Overview: Last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the high school.  While appliances and electric have been upgraded, this is the original kitchen from 1964.  It is time for this area to be updated and upgraded. Renovating the cafeteria will create an inviting space for our students during their lunchtime and for after school events.
  • Roof replacements
    Overview: The roof of the High School is very similar to that of most homes.  The shingles are 20 years old and in need of replacement.
  • Repair surface drainage issues in the football field and at the running track
    Overview: The District has done repairs over the years.   Failure to do this work may result in the District being ineligible to host official track events. The conditions create a potential for student athletes to be injured. The safety of our athletes is very important.
  • Repave the parking area.
    Overview: This project consists of milling and repaving the existing parking areas and driveways.  


Referendum Process Overview

  • The District must first seek approval from the NJDOE for the proposed projects
  • Submit the referendum question to County Board of Election
  • A referendum once passed by voters,
    • Will generate a tax levy equal to the amount of bond principal and interest that must be repaid less any state aid for debt service available. 
    • The voters cannot change this levy once the original referendum is approved.



Referendum Comparison
  • Referendums may be thought of as a homeowner's mortgage or home equity loan used by so many of us to fund a new kitchen, replace a roof, pave our driveways and generally fix our homes.
  • Once the mortgage is signed, the payments must be made.
  • The mortgage itself does not cover the actual expenses of the home, like energy and repairs, those have to be funded separately.  This would be the equivalent of the district's general fund.
     
  • From time to time as a homeowner, you have to get a loan for home improvements.  Once they are paid off, a new item must be repaired in order to maintain the pride and upkeep of your home.

BTSD Responsible Stewards of Your Tax Dollars
  • The Board of Education and the Administration have exercised great care over the last several years in maintaining the balance of upkeep of facilities and tax dollar spending. The district has used various funding sources to build an elementary school, a middle school and create additions and renovations to our other buildings. Below are some of the funding sources used to accomplish the building and refurbishing of the district.
    • Referendums from 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003
    • ROD grants cycle II, III and IV
    • COPS grant
    • Insurance grants

Why should we be concerned with the upkeep of the facilities?
Our schools are used by the entire community.  The facilities in the Burlington Township School District are an integral hub of our community and used on a daily basis.  
  • The obvious answers
    • Health
    • Safety
  • Not so obvious answers
    • Security

Respect for Students, Staff, Visitors = Respect for Facilities 

Respect for Facilities = Increase ownership and stewardship by all 

Increase ownership = Increase safety and security

Safe Schools, Good Programs, Engaged Community and Efficient and Effective Management = A district that helps students achieve

A district with student achievement = A place where people want to live

A place where people want to live = Increase property value

Click the button below to submit questions you have regarding the referendum.  Your questions will be answered in an upcoming newsletter.

questions

What Everyone Wants to Know!!!


What is the potential tax impact?

The District has carefully planned the timing of this referendum and the subsequent selling of bonds in consideration of the retirement of the current debt in order to have minimal impact on taxpayers.  Just as you may do at home, we are planning this as we pay off existing debt.

What is the total bond amount?  $10,114,107 is the total of bonds with 50.4271% being the state aid on the eligible costs of $8,970,036.

What does this mean?
Due to expiring debt, little to no impact may be felt on taxpayers.  In our estimate an average home assessed at $228,866 will experience approximately a $5.00 increase a year in the first three years.  Expiring debt will allow the payments in the future to remain at or below the current amount per household.

What happens if the referendum does not pass?
It is inevitable that this work will have to be completed.  If the referendum fails, we will not get the 50% matching funds from the state and the cost will have to go into the general budget with will compete for educational dollars.  

Tax Impact on Bond Spreadsheet

How To Vote
In order to participate in this election, you must be a registered voter.

Click here to download the voter registration form. 

If you are unable to make it to the polls on December 8, you are able to vote by mail.

Click here to download the Vote by Mail Form.

vote 07
  

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