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Improved Buildings...Successful Students...Strong Community
We take pride in our schools!
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| Save the Date...Dec. 8 eNews |
Improved Buildings... Successful Students...
Strong Community |
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Please save the date December 8! I hope that this date is deeply ingrained in your minds. We want to be sure that we are transparent and provide you with all of the information relevant to the referendum in order for you to be an informed voter.
We want to answer questions that you submit regarding the referendum. Please use the question portal to submit your questions regarding the referendum.
So please save the date...December 8.
Liz
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A Letter from the Interim Superintendent
October 24, 2015
Dear Burlington Township Families:
"Save the Date...December 8!"
Our families have heard this call and in true Falcon fashion are seeking more information so they are able to make an informed decision. This letter and the links included electronically will hopefully provide some details to help our families make an informed voting decision on December 8th when voting on the
Bond Proposal.
According to Realtor.com
"Good schools provide stability for a community, and that's good for the property values of everyone who lives nearby."
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The Board and Administration have been diligent stewards of our community's assets. Our buildings are well maintained, secure and welcoming. Over the last 7 years, there have been improvements utilizing savings and grant funds from the state, federal and other sources. We matched those grants and the district was able to accomplish the many projects listed in the
Completed Projects Document
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The District does not anticipate the availability of more grants, however, we know that we will need to continue to renovate our schools to ensure the improvement of our buildings to help students be successful and continue to have a strong community.
The referendum on December 8th is an opportunity for us to prove we are a resilient community that believes in preserving our investment not only in our property, but in our students' future. If successful, this referendum would fund projects over the next few years. To read more about the projects and how they were selected, please visit the
detailed information regarding the proposed projects
document.
A common question received from concerned families is whether these funds can be used to lower class size or on other instructional needs. The short answer is no, they cannot. This is because of the types of funds a school district is required to maintain. In order to understand more, please visit the
additional information about funds
document.
The next most common question is, what does a $10M bond proposal mean to my taxes? Of the $10,114,107, the district is eligible for debt service aid in the amount of $4,523,329. This means that the district would sell $10M of bonds and as the principle and interest came due, the state would provide a portion of the debt to reduce the overall tax burden of Burlington Township families. New Jersey law requires that voters actively agree with the sale of debt. On December 8th the district is asking its voters to do just that. Allow the sale of debt to provide the funding for much needed projects.
The district was careful in the timing of this referendum. We are asking now because current debt will begin to expire soon and the new debt from the 2015 referendum will not increase the debt service tax levy more than $5 a year on the average assessed home. The current and future debt by year with an indication on the impact of the average assessed home is available in the
Tax Impact
Spreadsheet.
At the beginning of this letter is a quote about how important schools are to the overall property values in a community. Good schools are imperative for so many reasons. Health and safety issues are easier to understand.
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Respect for Students, Staff ,Visitors
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Respect for Facilities
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Respect for Facilities
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Increased ownership and stewardship by all
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Increased ownership
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Increased safety and security
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Safe Schools, Good Programs, Engaged Community and Efficient and Effective Management
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A district that helps students achieve
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A district with student achievement
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A place where people want to live
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A place where people want to live
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Increased property value
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Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and the additional information provided. We hope that you will take this into consideration when you vote on December 8.
Improved Buildings...Successful Students....Strong Community!
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Mary Ann Bell
Interim Superintendent of Schools
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http://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/the-right-school-district-how-much-do-schools-affect-real-estate-prices/
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What is this going to cost me a year?
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| $5 additional a year on the average assessed home for 3 years will address these issues: |
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| This is a Young School hallway after a heavy rain. |
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| Poor drainage of our track and fields. Repairs will assist with reducing potential of student athlete injuries. |
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Our 50 year old kitchen has served the community well. While we have upgraded parts of the kitchen over the years, the infrastructure for all mechanicals of the now 51 year old kitchen is needed.
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Top 10 Things to Know!
10.
The Burlington Township School District has an important Bond Referendum vote on Tuesday, December 8th from
4-9 P.M. at the Young School, Hopkins Building, Middle School, and Beverly Road Firehouse.
9.
An approved referendum will finance necessary improvements to the all buildings in the Burlington Township School District.
8.
These improvements/maintenance are needed in order to bring the school up to appropriate standards and current codes.
7. The school district is expected to receive $4.52 million in state debt service aid funds, which will cover MORE THAN HALF
of the eligible cost.
6.
The three biggest factors of home values besides location is police, safety and your schools.
5.
Assuming a 10 year bond repayment and 3% interest rate, the largest increase will be less than $5 a year on the average assessed home.
4.
You can also submit your questions electronically and get your questions answered. Answers will be posted in our upcoming newsletters and also on our website. A special referendum website is currently under construction.
3.
November 17th is the VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE for this election. If you are voting my mail this is the deadline to register and request a mail in ballot.
Vote by Mail Application
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Your vote counts. Cast an Informed Vote on December 8.
1. These improvements are a commitment to our children and
an investment in our community.
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Click the button below to submit questions you have regarding the referendum. Your questions will be answered in an upcoming newsletter.
Below are answers to questions that have been submitted.
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What do you plan to do to keep the general budget costs down to offset the increase in taxes from this referendum?
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In order to answer this question, there is a need to understand the different types of funds and tax levies. While the tax rate is presented as a single number, the rate is actually made from two different rates. One is from the general fund which pays for the teachers, supplies, energy, buses, etc. The other is from the debt approved in the past by the voters. It would be this rate that would increase VERY slightly for only a few years. The debt we currently have will begin expiring in the next few years. This will allow the district to avoid increases in taxes while using the bond proceeds to ensure we maintain strong buildings.
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Are the MS fields repair being done to support MS sports that are trying to be instated and if so, will any money be used to fund the MS Sport program?
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Decisions about the potential for Middle Sports have not yet been made. There is a committee exploring various options. The fields are used by the Township Recreation Department and our Physical Education classes. Watered fields allow for better conditioning. Better conditioned fields allow for fewer injuries.
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How To Vote
In order to participate in this election, you must be a registered voter.
If you are unable to make it to the polls on December 8, you are able to vote by mail.
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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 which will compete for educational dollars.
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Mail-In Ballot Information
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM ELECTION
DECEMBER 8, 2015
NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS
If you are a qualified and registered voter of the State who wants to vote by mail in the Burlington Township School District Special School Election to be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 complete the application form below and send to the undersigned, or write or apply in person to the undersigned at once requesting that a mail-in ballot be forwarded to you. The request must state your home address and the address to which the ballot should be sent. The request must be dated and signed with your signature.
If any person has assisted you to complete the mail-in ballot application, the name, address and signature of the assistor must be provided on the application, and you must sign and date the application for it to be valid and processed. No person shall serve as an authorized messenger or as a bearer for more than three qualified voters in an election. No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot may provide any assistance in the completion of the ballot or may serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.
No mail-in ballot will be provided to any applicant who submits a request therefor by mail unless the request is received at least seven days before the election and contains the requested information. A voter may, however, request an application in person from the county clerk up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.
Voters who want to vote only by mail in all future general elections in which they are eligible to vote, and who state that on their application shall, after their initial request and without further action on their part, be provided a mail-in ballot by the county clerk until the voter requests that the voter no longer be sent such a ballot. A voter's failure to vote in the fourth general election following the general election at which the voter last voted may result in the suspension of that voter's ability to receive a mail-in ballot for all future general elections unless a new application is completed and filed with the county clerk.
Voters also have the option of indicating on their mail-in ballot applications that they would prefer to receive mail-in ballots for each election that takes place during the remainder of this calendar year. Voters who exercise this option will be furnished with mail-in ballots for each election that takes place during the remainder of this calendar year, without further action on their part.
Application forms may be obtained by applying to the undersigned either in writing or by telephone, or the application form provided below may be completed and forwarded to the undersigned.
Dated October 13, 2015
Hon. Timothy D. Tyler
Burlington County Clerk
49 Rancocas Road
P.O. Box 6000
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-229
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Schools and Community...Partners in Learning
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Burlington Township Schools | 609-387-3955 | www.burltwpsch.org |
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