Little Ferry’s Board of Education and district leaders take great pride in the educational partnership they share with the community. Together, we carry out the mission of delivering an exceptional educational program to more than 800 students each year.  

The Board of Education is looking toward the future of Little Ferry Public Schools, while continuing its fiscal responsibility to the Little Ferry taxpayers. Those are the driving forces behind a bond referendum to fund the construction of a new middle school.  

A new middle school would be constructed on the site of the Washington School, which has been closed since 2018. Students in kindergarten through second grade who were displaced from Washington School are currently learning in trailers – and need their own school. Elementary students would move into Memorial School when construction of the new middle school is complete. 

“Referendum” is another word for “vote” A bond referendum asks voters for permission to borrow funds through the sale of bonds. A bond referendum is used specifically for improvements that are large and long-lasting, like construction. It cannot be used for daily costs of operations such as paying staff, buying fuel or keeping the lights on. 

The operating budget, which is funded largely from local taxes, pays the costs of our educational program and regular school maintenance; it’s difficult to find room in that budget for the kind of large-scale projects such as building a new school.  The Board has worked with the district’s architect and financial advisors to develop a practical proposal to meet the educational requirements of students - without costly extras.

If voters approve a bond referendum, the district captures a specific type of state aid to offset the local share of the costs. A voter-approved bond referendum is the only way to secure this kind of state aid toward a building project. For this proposal, state aid is a $1.6 million opportunity for Little Ferry. 

Our district has diligently paid off debt while managing a stable operating budget, putting Little Ferry in position to borrow for future-focused improvements. By selling bonds to get funding up front and to get state aid, Little Ferry can complete this project more quickly than relying on the annual operating budget and more effectively than relying solely on the local tax base.