The Keyport Public Schools Board of Education will pose a multimillion dollar question on Nov. 6 when residents are asked to approve repairs and improvements at two schools.
The board has authorized a $16.7 million referendum to be placed on the ballot.
Business Administrator Anthony Rapolla said if voters approve the referendum, the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $255,351 would pay $160 more annually in school taxes for 20 years.
The exact increase in school taxes a property would pay, if the referendum passes, will depend on the assessed value of his home and/or property.
Rapolla said state aid is anticipated to cover 40 percent of the project’s eligible costs of $16.2 million, which yields a state contribution of $6.48 million.
The Keyport Central School, which educates students in preschool through eighth grade, and Keyport High School, grades nine through 12, will see repairs and upgrades completed if voters approve the referendum.
According to the school district’s website, the enhancements and repairs that are proposed would create a safer environment for students.
“We are asking voters to approve funding to make immediate repairs and upgrades to keep Keyport public schools safe, functional and efficient,” district administrators said on the website.
The referendum proposes the following:
• Repairs to walls at Keyport Central School and Keyport High School to reduce future structural problems and limit the potential for water infiltration;
• Replacement of classroom door hardware with intruder function locksets at both schools for additional security;
• Replace concealed spline ceilings with suspended acoustical ceiling systems for a safer, more structurally sound ceiling system;
• Replace window sills to allow for a safer environment;
• Outdated vinyl asbestos tile has been identified and needs to be replaced to reduce the amount of hazardous material in the schools;
• Replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at both schools to provide for a reliable energy efficient system;
• Upgrades to a full hot water system would provide for increased reliability, better space temperature control and eliminate leaking;
• Upgrades to replace the existing fire alarm system at both schools with a code compliant fire alarm voice evacuation system;
• Upgrades to replace outdated electrical panels to bring the systems up to code;
• The installation of light-emitting diode lights in both schools.
