A bond referendum, or vote, allows a school district to borrow money through the sale of bonds. The process offers significant advantages to taxpayers as well as the district: When voters approve a school bond referendum in New Jersey, qualified projects are eligible for state funding. By contrast, projects that are paid for through the regular operating budget are completely funded through local taxes.

Clearview has carefully identified improvements that qualify for the maximum amount of state aid. If the bond referendum is approved, state aid will cover up to 40 percent of the $59 million project costs.

Need: Delaying critical building improvements would not be in the best interest of students and staff, because updated climate-control systems and ventilation are essential. The district continues to feel the effects of inconsistent climate control, including higher than necessary energy costs because of inefficient systems.

Reasoning: Without the state aid that would come with voter-approved bond funding, the district will have to pay 100% of repair/replacement costs from its operating budget. The state’s promise to pay up to 40% of the costs made a bond proposal the best choice for Clearview.

A November referendum puts Clearview on track for some work to begin in the summer of 2023, at the earliest. Projects would be targeted for completion by the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Clearview would work with FVHD Architects + Planners to plan a schedule for securing bond funding (which must be done through a competitive bid process), finalizing project details, and publicizing for companies to do the work (also through a competitive bid process). FVHD has significant experience working with schools, and would chart out a construction schedule that minimizes the impact on students and staff.

Clearview was hoping to have its referendum on the ballot in 2020, before special elections were canceled by the state.

However, the passage of time presented the opportunity to make the next investment just as payments from the 2002 referendum are ending. As a result, Clearview could complete $59 million in improvements with no increase in the tax rate.

Earlier this year, the state took a second look at Clearview’s proposed projects, resulting in more aid eligibility than the original review. More than 98 percent of the project costs qualified for state funding.

Over the course of two summers, the district focused on specific sections of the building to insulate pipes, upgrade HVAC controls, and replace leaky air seals. Success in those areas offers assurance that the entire High School, as well as the Middle School, will benefit from the same solutions.

Air quality issues like this one make up most of the proposed project costs. The improvements would help the district to keep energy costs in check and contribute to a healthy learning environment.

Yes and no, and that’s the problem. There is no air conditioning in the Middle School gym, nor in the two High School gyms. When gym doors are propped open for ventilation, the hot air flows into areas that are air-conditioned, creating an inefficient and costly drain on resources.

Just think about the effect of leaving doors open while running the air conditioning in your own home. The varying temperatures and humidity also take a toll on the building. In addition to the gyms, air conditioning would be added to the hallways and any remaining instructional spaces that lack it.

The district has diligently maintained its HVAC equipment over the decades, but aging systems have become expensive to repair, and parts can be difficult to find. By replacing the equipment, Clearview can upgrade to the latest HVAC technology, including MERV-13 filtration.

Additionally, the district can benefit from the state’s Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) by installing energy-efficient HVAC equipment. The incentive allows schools to make energy-saving improvements based on the amount of future savings.

At the Middle School, three sections of the roof would be replaced.

Upgraded security systems would continue the district’s focus on safety. Improvements would include new exterior and interior doors, security glass and anti-intruder hardware on classroom doors. and fire alarms with voice evacuation systems.

The district recently upgraded the public address system. The system integrates with our new emergency lockdown notification system (LENS) and can send threat alert messaging. Proposed additions to the PA system include replacing speakers in classrooms and common areas and adding digital message boards. The district also seeks to replace old generators with models that can support current building and technology needs.

Entrance upgrades are proposed to help visitors find their way around the campus.

In addition to the proposal for bond-funded projects, the planned ESIP-funded project includes new roof-mounted solar panels. Potential locations include Middle School and High School roofs, parking lot and pedestrian canopies and other areas where appropriate.

The district needs to separate the convergence of parent vehicles, buses and pedestrians for a safer, more efficient traffic flow.

Traffic has become even heavier since more parents are working from home and driving their children to and from school.

With an approved referendum, Clearview would perform a traffic study to ensure that proposed improvements are based on the latest data.

It’s prudent to include asbestos mitigation in any construction plan for older buildings. Until work begins, contractors won’t know whether asbestos is present in the school buildings. Given the date of construction, there is a strong possibility that asbestos will have to be removed or encapsulated. If that is necessary, the costs for that work have already been factored into the bond proposal. If the budgeted funds are not all needed, the district cannot spend the money on any projects that weren’t approved by voters as part of the bond proposal.

The High School’s auditorium requires updated lighting and a new sound system to replace obsolete equipment; these improvements would enrich the drama programs that are an important part of the learning experience. The technology of theater lighting and sound systems has advanced exponentially since the auditorium was built in 2005.

Digital technology is more energy-efficient since heat lamps run cooler and power consumption is much lower. A new LED lighting system would provide many more customization options. Just as importantly, High School students will be able to operate technology that replicates what’s used in modern workplaces. The user-friendly systems would provide a valuable training opportunity.

Grass has to be restriped for every sport, which can make quick changeovers challenging.

Turf would have permanent, color-coordinated striping for each sport, including football, field hockey, lacrosse and possibly soccer. The more resilient surface would alleviate concerns about damaging the grass for football.

Turf stands up better to inclement weather than grass and would be available to community groups when not being used by the school.

A new floor and additional weight machines would make the auxiliary gym more useful for training and exercise activities. The room would be designed for flexibility, with mats rolled out for wrestling practice throughout the season and rolled up when it’s time to create more gym space.

The auxiliary gym would be used for physical education classes and available to students before and after school. The existing weight room and trainer’s room would be upgraded to accommodate increased student interest in fitness programs.

The equipment has aged beyond its prime usefulness, and upgrades would allow the district to leverage modern, more efficient technology.

The fire-alarm equipment needs to be replaced to ensure it’s at the optimum operating level required for such a critical system. The replacement would include voice evacuation systems.

And generators – some of which are original to their building – are at the end of their useful life expectancy and simply too small to support the needs of ever-growing technology. A robust network of generators is needed to back up computers, phones, cameras and other security systems, and the HVAC equipment that would be expanded through the proposed bond-funded project. The kitchen walk-in freezers and refrigerators would be connected to generators to prevent food loss.

These projects would impact the health, safety, and educational experience of all Clearview students. A strong secondary benefit would be the stable property values of Harrison Township and Mantua Township, because those depend on quality schools and supportive communities. Additionally, outside organizations already use Clearview gym facilities; voter approval of the bond referendum would expand that by adding air conditioning. A climate-controlled gym can be in use even when the outside temperature is high and air quality is low.

A number of HVAC (heating, cooling and air conditioning) systems are approaching the end of their useful life. Much of the equipment in the building dates to 1960 when the High School opened.

The Middle School and High School have persistent heat and humidity issues resulting from inconsistent climate control. Upgrading systems and installing air conditioning where it’s lacking would result in a more comfortable environment that protects buildings from unnecessarily high energy costs and humidity-related damage.

Comfortable classroom temperatures improve everyone’s ability to work and focus. At Clearview, inconsistent climate control is a particular challenge for students traveling from class to class. Modern HVAC would even sound better than old equipment that can cause noisy distractions.

Adding air conditioning to both gyms would help students maintain their energy for rigorous games and workouts. New equipment also would provide enhanced air quality throughout the buildings.

In 2023, Clearview communities will finish paying off debt from the last significant investment in schools, which resulted from a bond referendum in 2003. If the 2022 referendum is approved, some work could take place in the summer of 2023, and work should be complete by the start of the 2025/26 school year. Bonds would be issued after construction begins and the new principal payments would not start until after the old debt is paid off. That means these new improvements can be made while keeping the tax rate at the same level.

Clearview is holding a bond referendum as part of a two-pronged financial strategy. The district will leverage the state’s Energy Savings Improvements Program (ESIP) to fund qualifying projects, including lighting fixture/lighting control upgrades, HVAC controls, solar projects and chiller plant replacement/upgrades. ESIP will cover those energy-efficient improvements based on the amount of future savings, but it will not cover some of the necessary support work. The referendum would fund that work, as well as a wide range of other facilities renovations and upgrades.

An approved referendum in November would authorize the district to borrow funds through the sale of bonds. Clearview works with experienced financial advisors who make projections on the interest rates. Their estimates are conservative enough to cover possible rate increases.

If borrowing rates come in lower than estimates, the district would be required to repay slightly less debt than anticipated.

If voters do not approve the current referendum, the old school debt payments would end without a new investment taking their place. In the short term, the average Harrison Township homeowner would have an extra $27 per month and Mantua Township property owners would recoup less than $16 per month. Those numbers are based on the average assessed Harrison home of $343,721 and Mantua's average assessed home value of $208,338.

To break it down, the monthly decrease per $100,000 of assessed value would be $7.85 in Harrison and about $7.62 in Mantua.

Those small savings amounts would likely be short-lived, however, as Clearview would still need to replace outdated systems such as roofing and HVAC. Without a referendum and the state aid that comes with it, the district would have to cover costs from the operating budget, which is paid for entirely through local taxes.

As a long-range improvement plan, a referendum would allow the district to complete significant projects quickly but pay for them over the course of 20 years, much in the way a homeowner uses a home equity loan.

The board and district leaders worked diligently to develop a fiscally responsible proposal with the least possible impact to taxpayers. The result was a $59 million referendum that qualifies for up to 40 percent in state aid toward project costs. Old debt is rolling off just in time for Clearview communities to reinvest in schools with no increase in taxes - a benefit that has become even more important in recent months.

The critical building projects that were derailed by COVID cannot wait any longer to be addressed, and the district believes the state aid and long-term repayment schedule that come with an approved bond referendum are the best ways to address them. The proposal includes a number of cost-saving upgrades, such as more efficient HVAC systems.

The state requires that estimated project costs include a contingency amount to cover scenarios such as potential inflation, so is no possibility that costs will rise above estimates.

Inflation will ebb as Clearview's improvements would continue to benefit a generation of students, and positively impact home values for all residents.

New Jersey’s program called ESIP, short for Energy Savings Improvement Program, allows districts to make energy-efficient improvements based on the amount of future savings.

Clearview strategically considered what projects could be covered by ESIP, and did not include them in the referendum. ESIP funding would cover projects for lighting fixture/lighting control upgrades, HVAC controls, solar projects and chiller plant replacement/upgrades.

The ESIP-funded projects require some supporting work that ESIP does not cover, and that’s why the district’s plan puts them side-by-side. The support projects include electrical distribution upgrades for HVAC, roofing and structural upgrades, and interior ceiling work.

The federal funds, called ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, must be used for specific purposes.

Clearview used the money for summer learning and enrichment programs, and they’re also being used to replace student Chromebook, for staff professional development, transportation, character education, and student services related social/emotional learning and mental health.

More details are on the district website at https://www.clearviewregional.edu/.

Clearview’s Board of Education has specifically focused the bond proposal on projects that qualify for state aid, because paying for the same projects within the general operating budget means the local taxes pick up 100% of the tab.

Only certain kinds of projects are eligible, and they must be funded by a voter-approved bond referendum. With the state committed to paying up to 40%, Clearview is in line to get $59 million of improvements -- but pay less than two-thirds of the cost through local funding.

Clearview explores every possible funding source to maintain and upgrade buildings. Previous HVAC work at the High School was completed through the regular budget.

Cutting-edge security improvements such as the LENS (Lockdown Emergency Notification System) and protective window film were funded through grants.

Bond funding plays a role in the district’s ongoing maintenance and replacement plan, and that strategy includes packaging some needs as a referendum to get the significant state aid that comes with it. This proposal considers long-term needs that would not fit well into the regular budget, but would qualify for that state aid.

In 2009, voters approved a $1.3 million bond to install solar panels at the Middle School. To date, that project has saved the district $500,000 in electricity costs and generated $760,000 in revenue. In 2015, voters approved a $1.995 million bond to convert a High School auto shop into a more versatile STEM Lab and to make technology infrastructure upgrades throughout the district. Payments on these projects will be complete in January 2025 and February 2026

Many projects come with question marks, including price estimates that cannot be known until a project goes through the competitive bidding process. Architects often determine estimates based on their extensive experience, and then add a “soft cost” percentage to cover professional fees, permits, and the “unknowns” such as price variations and factors discovered when walls are opened.

For instance, if asbestos remediation becomes necessary, that cost can be covered by the “soft cost” cushion. However, the district can only borrow up to the amount approved by voters, and those funds can only be used for projects outlined in the bond proposal. If not all “soft cost” funding is needed, it would be used to offset property taxes used to pay back the bonds. The state oversees this process carefully to ensure that bond funding is only spent on what voters approved.

The district saves funds over time in its capital reserves for improvements. Clearview made a strategic decision to apply a portion of its reserve savings toward repayment of the new bonds if needed. Those funds may supplement $23 million in state aid the district would receive following voter approval of the bond referendum to ensure tax payments continue at the same rate.

Unlike the regular budget, a bond referendum cannot be used to pay salaries and benefits.

A referendum is used strategically to fund large-scale capital improvements that would be difficult or impossible to fit into the regular operating budget.

With voter approval, Clearview’s bond proposal would qualify for $23 million toward project costs. The facilities improvements would create a better environment for teaching and learning. Current and future Clearview staff members would benefit from upgraded HVAC systems to enhance comfort and air quality, improved security technology, a new Middle School STEM Lab to meet modern instructional needs, expanded fitness facilities and more.

Previous bond proposals in New Jersey have shown that every vote counts; some referenda have been decided by fewer than 15 votes. A January 2020 bond issue in Mantua Township involved two separate proposals; the yes-no gap was only 50 votes for the first question, and 132 votes for the second.

Anyone who is registered to vote with a Harrison or Mantua Township address can participate in the Nov. 8 bond referendum to improve the infrastructure of the Clearview Regional High School District. If you’re not sure if you are registered, or what address is associated with your registration, find out by entering basic information in the state voter database.

To find your polling location, use the state’s search tool once it is updated for the General Election. The sample ballot that all voters receive in the mail also contains polling place information.

NJ passed a law in 2021 establishing early voting opportunities for all Primary and General Elections. The Clearview referendum will be held on the date of the general election, so voters will be able to cast ballots in person at specific early voting locations from Saturday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 6. Voters who want to take advantage of this convenience should check the Gloucester County Elections page for updates on early voting times and locations.

Vote By Mail ballots are available for this school referendum, and that method of voting is an easy, convenient way to make your ballot count! If you have requested that ballots be mailed to you for all elections and your address is still the same, you should receive a Vote By Mail ballot automatically by late September or early October. You can ensure that you’ll receive a Vote By Mail ballot by submitting an application. Forms must be RECEIVED via mail by the county by Nov. 1 for a ballot to be sent to you. See this website’s Voting Info page for more details and downloadable forms.

To register for the first time or to update your registration with a Harrison or Mantua Township address, your completed form must be RECEIVED by the county office by Oct. 18. Don’t let slow mail prevent you from registering on time: Register online or download a form from the Voting Info page and mail it to the county.

To Vote By Mail, your ballot application must be RECEIVED by Nov. 1 to allow time to reach you by mail and be returned by the deadline. Vote By Mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 8 – the same day voting takes place in-person. You cannot submit your mail-in ballot at a polling place.

Between voter registration lists and Vote By Mail ballots being sent, it’s possible the individual polls may not have up-to-date information. It’s also possible that voters didn’t expect to receive a ballot by mail and tossed it without understanding its importance. If you show up at the poll but are told you cannot vote there because you aren’t registered, you already received a ballot by mail, or ANY reason, ask for a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be kept safe until your voter eligibility is checked.