In 2023, the district conducted a comprehensive facilities study to assess and prioritize pressing building needs.
The project proposal is one question: net tax savings.
How? If approved by voters, the new investment would replace some, not all, of the previous district issued debt. With voter approval in November, tax payments for this next investment would pick up where previous payments drop off. Completing major improvements with the help of state aid and good timing allows us to keep the tax rate steady over time.
Roofing replacements at five (5) schools to eliminate the risk of repair costs and increase energy efficiency
HVAC replacements to boost energy efficiency and improve functionality
A voter-approved referendum allows the district to borrow funds to finance major infrastructure projects, similar to how a homeowner uses a loan to fund home improvements.
UPFRONT FUNDING: Large improvements do not fit within the annual operating budget, and upfront funding from a referendum would allow us to address the needs sooner, reducing the risk of costly emergency repairs when something goes wrong.
STATE AID: The NJ Department of Education will contribute state aid to offset the project costs if the referendum is approved. This keeps the money in our general budget focused on supporting students’ academics, which is critical after the state funding cuts the district has experienced in recent years.
GOOD TIMING: The Lacey Township community is close to paying off debt from a previous investment in our schools, and this timing means we can make essential improvements while minimizing the impact on taxpayers.