Unofficial results indicate that voters have approved all three questions in the Madison Public Schools proposal.  

As of Tuesday night, the tally included 2039 votes in favor and 657 opposed for Question 1, 1930 votes in favor and 757 opposed for Question 2 and 1821 votes in favor and 857 opposed for Question 3. The totals will be updated over the next few days as officials count mail-in ballots postmarked by the election date and verify provisional ballots. 

Updates will be posted on this website.

The Board of Education is grateful to the Madison community for voting and looks forward to the improvements that will continue to support our students’ academic achievement in a healthy, safe and inviting learning environment.

Careful planning and diligent research helped prioritize the most-needed infrastructure and facility improvements. Large-ticket maintenance items have been put off for years due to budget constraints, but key infrastructure items are now nearing or past the end of their useful life. Bond funding would address those needs quickly, capture state aid and reduce the risk of costly emergency repairs. Voter approval of three ballot questions could do all this – and more for the Madison community. 

Proposed projects would include:   

• Exterior and interior building improvements to increase health, safety and accessibility, like district-wide safety upgrades   

• Interior renovations would be done in areas that haven’t received attention in years, such as bathrooms across the district   

• Modernized, reliable heating systems, air conditioning in academic areas, and electrical updates   

• Roofing and window replacements to reduce emergency repairs and increase energy efficiency 

Other upgrades included in the proposal are improvements to common spaces that would enhance the overall educational experience.  

Some of the projects can’t wait -- they must be done whether or not voters approve the bond proposal. Approval gives the district the added benefit of using state aid to help cover the project costs. Roofing, electrical and HVAC systems must be maintained, and buildings need to be accessible to all students. Without bond funding, 100% of those costs would come from the operating budget that is funded by local property taxes. The district’s operating budget does not have enough wiggle room to cover the bare necessities plus those improvements at the pace that our high-achieving district will need them. 

A bond referendum is a vote that asks permission to borrow money through the sale of bonds. The bonds would generate upfront funds to address needs more quickly than relying on the district’s annual operating budget and without relying solely on the local tax base. 

A bond referendum is a responsible financial strategy to complete building upgrades because it spreads the costs over time and some projects qualify for a special kind of state funding. Taxpayers across New Jersey pay into this funding source, but only districts with approved referenda can bring that money back home. The referendum gives the community a voice, and the state aid is only available with voter approval.  

If the referendum is approved, the district could begin making the proposed improvements as soon as summer 2024. 

Like any space used daily, we need to invest in our buildings’ infrastructure to keep things running smoothly. Our current buildings need significant improvements to be able to continue providing the educational excellence that brings pride to our community. 

The Board of Education has organized the proposal into three questions that would make long-term improvements and updates across the entire district. Projects outlined in these questions require different investments from the community. 

QUESTION 1: 

Across the district, fire alarm and public address systems would be replaced, interior doors would be replaced, classrooms would receive heating and ventilation upgrades, interior renovations would be completed to key spaces such as bathrooms, classroom storage improvements, and building components that contain asbestos would be addressed. Plus, boiler replacements at Central Avenue School (CAS) and MHS; increased accessibility at Kings Road School (KRS), Madison Junior School (MJS) and Madison High School (MHS); and roofing replacement at MHS. 

QUESTION 2:

Updates like emergency power sources and air conditioning in all classrooms and common areas would touch every school in the district. 

Other updates would include window replacement at CAS with energy efficient options. 

*Question 2 can only go into effect if voters also approve Question 1. 

QUESTION 3:

Common spaces would be expanded such as athletic field and playground restoration, a gymnasium addition and two additional classrooms at CAS. At KRS, the Multi-Purpose Room would receive an addition and renovation. Restorations are planned for each school's parking lot, sidewalk and concrete stairs and MHS would also receive improvements to the athletic field and gymnasium. 

*Question 3 can only go into effect if voters also approve Question 1 and Question 2.