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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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There will be a final community meeting tonight, Monday, December 7th at 6:00 P.M. in the Hopkins Board of Education conference room. Enter through door #18 and turn to the right. If you have any questions, concerns, or you simply want to hear more, this meeting is for you.
This newsletter will attempt to summarize the information provided over the past few months. It will also feature the final segment of our video series.
We want you to come out as an informed voter on December 8th.
Save the date...December 8. Don't allow others to make the choice for your child.
Come out and VOTE!
Come out Monday, December 7, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. in the Board of Education Conference Room for more information and to get answers to your questions.
You may still use the question portal to submit your questions. We will post answers to questions until tomorrow afternoon. You may also call the Interim Superintendent's office directly at 609-387-3955 ext. 2055.
Thank you for your interest in our schools.
Liz
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Falcon WebTV-YouTube Channel
Episode #5 -Final Episode
Please take a moment to review previous episodes.
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How much?
Is it really $5 on the average assessed home?
Yearly impact on avg. assessed home.
2016- no impact
2017- $1.28
2018- $4.07
2019- $2.10
2020- -$47.58
2021- -$218.27
Click this link to view the
abridged version that explains the tax impact from 2016-2021.
Click this link to view the
complete version of the tax impact until the debt is paid off between 2016-2025.
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Why?
Our schools are home to approximately 4,000 children. Aging buildings equate to wear and tear. The district has been a good steward and has worked to maintain our facilities. It should be expected that repairs will eventually turn into the need for replacements. This is what is happening in our district.
It is important to handle situations in a controlled manner as opposed to being forced to address our needs in an emergency situation which will cost us more.
Doing this now with the expiration of old debt, minimizes the impact on taxpayers.
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If it passes?
If the referendum passes, we will get the 50% matching funds from the state. This is the equivalent of getting a coupon worth $4.52 million to help us with the costs.
If it doesn't 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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Photos
Click here to view the full gallery.
These are photos taken on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in the
Young School gym. The P.E. teachers are using the barriers as part of an obstacle course in order to keep the children away from the areas that are leaking. The children understand that they may not touch the barriers or buckets and cans that are catching the rain water.
The reason you see the photos above is because of what you see in the photo below. We have made several repairs to the roof over the years, but we are at the point where we are beyond repairing it. It has to be replaced. The photo below is of one section of the roof that is leaking. The buckles and patches that you see are actually repairs that have been made to keep the roof from leaking. Click the gallery link to see a video of other portions of the roof.
Below are photos of the fields and track after rain. You can also see a sample of the patching we have done as the track wears and tears. Our goal is to provide safe facilities for our student athletes.
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Referendum Website
We urge YOU to make a decision about your child's learning environment. Please don't allow others to make the choice for you! Your VOTE counts!
We will host another evening to answer questions. Come out and meet with Interim Superintendent, Mary Ann Bell, for a discussion.
Monday, December 7, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.
Board of Education Conference Room
Hopkins Building
Enter door # 18
Click here to access the
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What is this referendum covering?
Young School
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 work over the years. We are still experiencing leaks. 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
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.
Middle School
New irrigation for athletic fields
Overview: Other fields are irrigated with well water.
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Well maintained fields begin with proper irrigation
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Fields are used for the Township Recreation programs and physical education classes.
Hopkins Building
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. However, 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:
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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.
High School
Complete renovation of the 51 year old 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, the infrastructure dates from 1964. It is time for this area to be updated and upgraded. This will create an inviting space for our students during their lunchtime and for after school events.
Repair the main entry parking and driveway loop.
Overview: This project consists of milling and repaving the existing parking areas and driveways.
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, however 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.
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. It will also assist with the desire for outside agencies to rent out facilities which provides the district with a source of revenue.
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 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 current conditions create a potential hazzard for student athletes to be injured. The safety of our athletes is very important.
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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 and on the website.
Below are answers to questions that have been submitted.
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Why do you need to do work in the PAC? It looks fine. What are the benefits of doing anything there?
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The PAC is 15 years old. The refurbishments would ensure that the PAC remains a source of pride for the entire community. The seats and carpet are showing signs of wear and will deteriorate quickly as it approaches the end of its second decade of service. The PAC is also used for rentals by outside agencies. This also provides a source of income to help with the maintenance of the PAC.
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Why is it raining in the Young School gym and other parts of the school?? I thought that roof was repaired already.
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First, understand that the Board and Administration believe this is unacceptable. Solutions are being sought and consideration is being given to solicit bids for just the YS gym roof whether or not the referendum passes. Our students and staff deserve better. The Young School must be viewed in their sections based on the corresponding date of the original construction for the wings mentioned. The A and D wing hallways and the cafeteria were replaced over the last two summers and was funded 50% by a state grant. The F wing is an "A" frame roof and is now over 10 years old but still has expected life remaining. The B, C, E wings and the gym were built in 1994 and those roof sections are more than 20 years old. The entire building, and, therefore the roof, is over 175,000 Sq ft meaning that roof partial replacement over these three wings and the gym are extensive and costly.
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Why should I vote if the work is going to be done anyway?
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Some of the work must be done because it either is or may become critical. The Young School gym roof must be addressed. At some point we will face an infrastructure issue in the HS kitchen and could face digging up the concrete floor to address. When the district is forced to react instead of proceeding in a carefully planned timeline, the results often cost more and could disrupt instruction. The big difference would be that the district will lose the 50% debt service aid. This could be thought of as letting a coupon for half off expire.
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Is it true that NJSIAA could prevent us from hosting track or basketball if current conditions aren't fixed?
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The outdoor turf playing surfaces (football field, soccer fields), through the normal course of use and erosion have lost their crown and evenness. Since these surfaces have flattened, their drainage capabilities are lost and have created poor playing conditions. All fields experience a slow but observable decline in condition. Currently, several fields are in need of resurfacing.
The basketball courts are resealed each year and have been resurfaced (sanded and repainted) a couple of times. This process needs to occur every 10-15 years. The last time it was completely resurfaced was in 2001. Given the current thickness of the floor boards, this surface must be completely replaced because sanding these boards at this time would leave the floor boards too thin.
In the past, the sidelines of the football field have flooded and have had to be fixed prior to several games. However, its the officials on the site that make that call.
NJSIAA has the right to determine whether athletic facilities are acceptable based on feedback from officials.
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Have you gotten other estimates from other contractors?
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The district has not yet solicited any estimates from contractors. The public bidding laws are very detailed and Burlington Township follows these laws well. If the referendum is passed, the district will develop detailed bid specifications and follow all of the rules to solicit and award bids to the lowest, responsible, qualified bidder. The estimate used in developing the budget submitted to the NJDOE to develop an overall budget, was done in consultation with professionals who work on projects at multiple districts and the average cost that similar projects have cost over the last few years.
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Can cuts be made in the schools to offset?
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The district funding for the general fund has still not been restored to 2009 levels. The cuts from the state in 2010, were over $3M. We were cut and our reserves were reduced. This was a dramatic loss for our students. Until 2010, the Board and the Administration had worked very hard, while being as fiscally responsible as possible, to lower class sizes and expand offerings to struggling learners. After 2010 when class sizes were forced to increase due to the loss in funding, the district has tried to maintain as many programs as possible, without further loss to programs or additional class sizes.
Burlington Township remains one of the most fiscally responsible districts of our size in the state. We outsource all major aspects of operations at a significant cost savings to the taxpayers while trying to maintain the quality we believe is essential for our students. Cuts in the schools would mean increased class sizes, reduction of programs or athletics. That is why the Board and Administration are seeking permission to refurbish our facilities and maintain our learning environment financed via a referendum.
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Will homeowner taxes decrease when the debt that was approved in the past is paid off if this referendum does not get passed?
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The former debt will expire over the next few years. The schedule on the website shows the debt in detail. The construction of Fountain Woods I, Fountain Woods II, F wing at Young School and the Middle School will eventually be paid. This will lower the overall debt for the taxpayers. It does not change the need for improvements to our buildings. Even if this referendum is passed, the taxpayers will see a reduction within 5 years for this portion of the property taxes based on the estimates we have at this time.
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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 field repairs 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 School 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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Will our school taxes go up because of this?
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There is a spreadsheet on our website that demonstrates the current and proposed debt. It may be difficult to believe, but a great deal of thought was put into the timing of this referendum question. For a taxpayer with home assessed at the Burlington Township average of approximately, $228,000, the largest increase in any one year of the ten years proposed for the debt would be $5.00 a year. This is because we planned this referendum at a time when old debt is expiring to reduce the potential tax impact. This estimate is based on 10 year financing at a rate of 3%.
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Will any of the money from the sale of the bonds be used to fund middle school sports?
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No, the sale of bonds can only be used to refurbish and renovate the buildings and infrastructure. The funds cannot be used to support the operations of the district, including salaries and fees associated with a Middle School sports program. Those discussions would occur during the budget process.
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Please explain how 4.3 million dollars is 50% of the proposed 10.+ million dollars you are asking for.
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There is a detailed document on the website showing each building and the amount of the total project cost per building and the amounts of eligible and ineligible costs. Eligibility in this case refers not to whether the projects are accepted but rather to whether the projects are eligible for debt service aid. ALL the projects have been approved by the NJDOE. Of the $10.1M, $8.9M are eligible for debt service aid, all projects are allowable by NJDOE.
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Why are you scheduling a referendum vote at a time when there are no other elections going on? It appears that this is a sneak attack to get only supporters to the polls since it will not be on the top of the mind of the other voters.
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There are only 5 times a year a district may seek approval from the voters. The district had to await approval from the NJDOE and follow a schedule based on submission to the NJDOE of projects, submission to the county elections board.
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Why can't we do some of the repairs? - $10,000,000 is a lot of money and my taxes are close to $10,000 already.
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The district carefully planned the timing of this referendum to have the least impact on our local taxes as possible. We have current debt that will begin to expire which will allow for the $10.1M in projects to be completed without increasing taxes for the debt service. This portion of the local school tax on your tax bill will not increase (please see the tax impact schedule). There is another component of the local school tax on your bill which funds the operations of the district and this is what cannot be increased by more than the 2% cap. |
Why are we only hearing about this referendum meeting on the day of the meeting? Never mentioned prior.
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We believe in transparency. This event was advertised through electronic newsletters, the websites, and the electronic board on the corner of Fountain and Jacksonville Rd. The Burlington Foundation advertised this on their website and through their newsletters. Check out the Nov. 1 edition of BTF Connection. Click this link to view all Foundation Newsletters. The Falcon Flyer also featured this information in the Nov. 4th edition of the NewsFlash.
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Will the electricity be upgraded in the Hopkins gym to address the recent outage/ overload that caused the power to go out during the Harlem Wizards game? Is that type of issue going to be addressed?
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The electrical infrastructure in the Hopkins building is under review. The district employs two part time licensed electricians who have been reviewing all electrical operations of the district. The repairs needed have already been accomplished. The district continues to work to upgrade to LED lights and better controls for energy efficiency.
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| If the referendum does not get passed, where would the funds come from to get the much needed projects completed? The general budget? If so, would there be reductions in teachers/other staffing or programs for the students or even larger class sizes?
What if you don't sell the $10mm in bonds?
(These questions were submitted by several community members. They have been combined with the answer to the right.)
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Yes, if the referendum is not passed there are some projects that will need to be complete, like the roofs and the track repair and eventually the High School kitchen. The projects proposed are to maintain the safety and well being of students, staff and visitors. Some of the projects will not be able to be delayed. If the referendum does not pass, the district will have to look at adding these items to the general budget. The budget rules changed a few years ago. Districts were once allowed to add these types of repairs and refurbishment items to the budget and they would be counted outside the cap. That is no longer the case. Now these items must be included inside the cap and will compete against the dollar for the general educational programs.
The Board and Administration have been committed to maintaining class sizes with the goal to reduce class sizes whenever possible. If the referendum does not pass and the environment of the school cannot be maintained, some hard budget decisions may need to be made.
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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 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 lose the
50% matching funds from the state and the cost will have to go into the general budget which will compete for educational dollars. This can be equated to a
$4.52 million dollar coupon that would assist the district in completing the work.
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District Polling Place List
Where do I vote?
If you are not voting by mail, please see the list below to find your polling place. If you are not sure where to vote, check the front of your sample ballot near your name. Your district number and polling place is listed there.
District Polling Place List
Beverly Road Fire House, 1001 Beverly Road:
District, 1, 2, 3, 4
Middle School @ Springside, 1600 Burlington-Bypass:
District 5, 6, 7, 8, 19
Hopkins Building, 700 Jacksonville Road:
District 9, 14, 15, 18
Young School, 1203 Neck Rd:
District 10, 11,12, 13, 16, 17
Don't allow others to make a decision about your child's learning environment.
Vote on December 8!
Polls are open from 4:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
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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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