HAZLET — The Hazlet Township Board of Education recently approved a resolution authorizing a special referendum on Dec. 13 that will give residents the opportunity to improve the township schools without experiencing any increase in real estate taxes.
The scope of work for the $43.7 million referendum —approved by the board of education on Sept. 26 —includes improvements to each of the eight schools. The referendum would fund new heating systems and air conditioning for all of the classrooms in the district, replace older roofs, interior security doors and classroom windows in many of the buildings, repair parking lots, renovate bathrooms, update lighting and ceilings in the classrooms, as well as make safety improvements.
Approximately $17.5 million, or 40 percent, of the $43.7 million project costs would come from state aid, the maximum funding allowed. Overall, this would result in the state funding $25 million in principal and interest payments over the 20-year loan. Taxpayers in Hazlet Township would see a zero increase in their taxes as a result of the referendum. All local costs will come from the reallocation of capital project funds into debt service funds.
“The Hazlet Township Public Schools are in need of basic repairs and upgrades to allow us to maintain and create the optimal learning environment for our students,” said Superintendent Bernard F. Bragen Jr., Ed.D. in a press release. “Our district continues to strive to meet our mission of ‘Educating our students … to achieve their maximum potential,’ and we need to invest back into the school facilities and take advantage of state aid in order to achieve this mission, while remaining fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.”
The Hazlet Township School District encompasses eight school buildings, serves approximately 3,000 students and employs over 425 teachers and staff. The district facilities and fields are also frequently used by community groups of all ages.
In order to participate in the Dec. 13 referendum, residents must be registered to vote. Voter registration applications are available online at the New Jersey Division of Elections at www.njelections.org. If residents are registered to vote, but cannot do so in person, absentee ballots are available and must be sent to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.
“The Board of Education encourages our parents and community members to get informed about the details of the referendum. Information, including videos, a flyer and presentations are available by visiting the district’s website,” said Board of Education President William J. Kolibas Jr.
For more information on the bond referendum, visit www.hazlet.org.
Questions can be sent to referendum@hazlet.org or call 732-264-8402, ext. 1109.
