A bond referendum is a community vote to allow a school district to borrow money through the sale of bonds. The approach offers significant advantages to taxpayers as well as the district. When voters approve a 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.
Mantua Township Schools are facing critical facility needs that can no longer be delayed. Roofing and heating/air conditioning systems in the schools have reached the end of their lifespans. The roofs are leaking at all three schools and the heating/air conditioning systems are in constant need of repairs and are no longer energy efficient – driving up costs and limiting reliability. The referendum gives the community an option to invest in the infrastructure of the schools while allowing the operating budget to focus on funding educational programs.
The district also has aging spaces that are beyond cost-effective repair, including the Central District Office/IT Suite and the 1912 original Castle Wing of Sewell Elementary School, both of which are 100+ years old. Despite repairs over the years to preserve these spaces, they both would need extensive updates to meet building and accessibility codes. The district consulted with its architects and concluded that addressing the extensive needs would not be fiscally responsible.
Finally, Mantua Township Schools must add classrooms to bring all of its youngest learners (preschool and kindergarten) into one building. This will help ensure the district has adequate space for preschool to maintain eligibility for state funding that supports this program.
The state of New Jersey allows school districts to hold bond referenda on certain dates in January, March, September, November (General Election), and December. After receiving approval from the Department of Education in September, Mantua's Board of Education chose Tuesday, December 9 for the vote – the earliest available date.
Holding the referendum as soon as possible ensures the district can move forward without delay and begin construction work in summer of 2026 to address urgent facility needs while meeting the state’s 60-day notification requirement for election officials.
The issues that the district was facing in 2020 have only worsened over the last five years. While some of the projects are similar, this plan is more comprehensive and directly reflects those needs. This referendum puts a stronger focus on critical building upgrades – things like roofing, security doors, HVAC replacements, and integrated fire alarm systems. For example:
Sewell - Expanded from a just a cooling tower to roof replacement and HVAC system upgrades to new energy-efficient systems
Centre City - Expanded from minor interior improvements to include exterior and system-wide improvements to roofs, security doors, HVAC systems, fire alarm and security system, etc.
JMT - Added roof replacement, HVAC system upgrades, fire alarm, and security improvements.
Another major change is the plan to move the District Offices. The 2020 plan proposed building a new District Office at Sewell at a cost of over $2.5 million. Our administrative team was able to work with our professionals to come up with the far more cost-effective solution of moving the District Office to the existing Evergreen Wing at JMT at a cost of only $5,000 to install a new security corridor door.
Finally, it’s important to note that construction and material costs have increased significantly over the last five years. Despite this, we are confident that this referendum is both comprehensive and fiscally strategic, while still meeting the critical needs of the district and preserving the community’s investment in our school buildings for decades to come.
The district received $327,930 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds, which were eligible to be used for facilities upgrades, such as HVAC. That was a one-time funding source, which the district used for maintenance and repairs. It was nowhere near enough to replace our outdated systems, which is what we are proposing in the referendum. Those funds helped us keep our old systems running in the short-term, but those systems are beyond their useful life. This makes repairs increasingly difficult as the parts we need for routine maintenance are outdated and not easily available. With the district’s operating budget capped at 2% annually, continuing to spend our limited funds on maintaining inefficient and outdated systems is neither sustainable nor cost-effective.
The referendum provides a long-term solution, and importantly, helps the district qualify for up to 40% state aid to offset the cost of these HVAC replacements and repairs for Mantua taxpayers. It is the most cost-effective way we have to upgrade these systems for our students.
The district is leading a multi-faceted information campaign to ensure all Mantua residents are informed before the December 9 vote. The campaign includes:
Continuous updates on this website and FAQs page
Virtual and in-person informational Q&A sessions and building tours with the district’s professional advisers and administrators
Updates shared via social media, news media, township-wide mailings, and other channels
Mantua residents are also encouraged to send their questions to referendum2025@mantuaschools.com. All questions will be directed to the appropriate person and answered as quickly as possible.
Voter approval of the referendum means the district could proceed with plans at Sewell to:
Demolish the deteriorating original building from 1912 (Castle Wing) and rebuild to include:
4 kindergarten classrooms
Bathrooms
Conference room
Build an addition with:
7 preschool classrooms
Main Office
Bathrooms
Conference room
Small Group Interaction room
Resurface and improve drainage and lighting in the existing parking lot and add a new parking lot near the new Main Office for a total of 101 parking spaces
Add a new security panel and wall-mounted LED lighting
Interface fire alarm system with HVAC system
Replace the roof and ceilings across the entire building
Replace aging HVAC systems, including chiller cooling towers, heat pumps, and controls, with new energy-efficient systems
Replace sinks in hall bathrooms with age-appropriate fixtures
Voter approval of the referendum means the district could proceed with plans at Centre City to:
Make seam repairs to existing metal roof and install new gutters and downspouts
Replace interior flooring
Replace carpet and lighting in Media Center
Replace interior ceilings
Replace stage curtains and valance
A new rubber surface for the playground equipment
Install new LED lighting on exterior wall-mounted fixtures and on existing poles throughout the site
Replace aging HVAC systems, including chiller cooling towers, heat pumps, and controls, with new energy-efficient systems
Replace exterior doors with new ADA-compliant doors, frames, and hardware
Repair stucco and repaint exterior walls and front entrance columns
New closed-circuit television and interface fire alarm system with HVAC system
Voter approval of the referendum means the district could proceed with plans at JMT to:
Replace the roof and ceilings across the entire building
Move the Central District Office and IT Suite to the Evergreen Wing at JMT and add a new corridor door
Interface fire alarm system with HVAC system
Install new LED lighting on exterior wall-mounted fixtures and on existing poles throughout the site
Repave playground areas
Replace exterior doors and hardware
Restore exterior masonry
Replace stage curtain, valance, lighting and sound baffles
Replace interior doors
The heating/air conditioning systems in all three district schools are reaching the end of their useful life. In recent years, HVAC repairs have cost the district approximately $100,000 per year, without the benefit of state aid to help offset costs. These systems are in constant need of repair and fall far below modern energy efficiency standards. Modern heating/air conditioning systems would be much more energy efficient and create environments that are more conducive to teaching and learning.
The district offices, currently located at 684 Main Street in Sewell, are in a building that is more than 100 years old and not ADA compliant. The current building requires significant, costly repairs to deteriorating masonry, outdated electrical systems, HVAC and boiler systems, windows, the roof and more. In addition, the IT Suite – home to critical servers and equipment – also needs a secure, hazard-free location.
The move will cost just $5,000 as part of the referendum, requiring only the installation of a new corridor door in the Evergreen Wing of J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School.
If the referendum passes, the district will work with local community groups to determine future plans for the current offices at 684 Main Street.
The plan before voters would bring all preschool and kindergarten students together under one roof, creating a strong early-learning community.
If approved, the referendum would provide funds to demolish the outdated 1912 original building – called Castle Wing – at Sewell Elementary School and rebuild four modern kindergarten classrooms in its place. An additional new wing with 7 preschool classrooms would be constructed on the opposite side of the building.
Mantua’s preschool program is in high demand and funded by the state. In fact, the district received $3,504,000 for this school year. To maintain this valuable resource for the community, the district must provide appropriate facilities. Consolidating all preschool into one building – instead of the current split between J. Mason Tomlin and Sewell – creates a more cohesive learning environment for our youngest students, enhances collaboration and streamlines resources.
The 1912 Castle Wing's foundation is deteriorating and the floors are uneven and sloping. It also is not ADA compliant so if a student cannot climb stairs for any reason, we have to change their classroom, sometimes mid-year.
The building cannot be repaired or made ADA compliant in a way that meets modern safety and educational standards.
If the referendum passes, the building would come down and be replaced by a new addition with four kindergarten classrooms, bathrooms, and a conference room.
An addition on the other side of the building would add seven preschool classrooms, a Main Office, bathrooms, a conference room, and a small group interaction room.
Safety and security are top priorities for Mantua Township Schools. The Board of Education carefully identified projects that would directly strengthen our facilities for students and staff. These include:
Upgraded security panels to improve building access control
Modernized fire alarm systems integrated with the HVAC systems for faster and more reliable emergency response
New exterior lighting on wall-mounted fixtures and existing poles to improve visibility and safety at night
These improvements will create safer, more secure learning environments districtwide.
Maintaining safe and dry school buildings requires ongoing investment in infrastructure. The roofs at all three schools are reaching or have already reached the end of their useful life and need to be repaired and/or replaced to prevent leaks and further deterioration. This would provide the district with a new 30-year warranty, ensuring our buildings are protected for decades. By completing these projects through a referendum, rather than our general operating budget, the district also ensures that the state helps cover a portion of the costs, rather than 100% local tax dollars.
Every Mantua resident benefits from having strong public schools, regardless of whether they have children attending the schools. Quality public schools, including preschool programs like the one in Mantua, are a primary consideration for people when looking for a place to live. Home market values in Mantua and every town directly reflect the quality of the local public schools.
Additionally, infrastructure updates to roofs, HVAC systems, etc. in the referendum come at a reduced cost due to the added benefit of state aid. Otherwise, these projects would fall entirely on local tax bills.
Many Mantua residents also use the school facilities regularly for community events, rec programs, or other purposes.
A December referendum puts Mantua Township Schools on track for some work to begin in the summer of 2026, at the earliest. Critical infrastructure projects would be targeted for completion by the start of the 2026-27 school year, while the classroom additions at Sewell would be targeted for the 2027-28 school year.
The projects included in Mantua’s referendum are estimated to cost $39.1 million. This figure includes the projects professional and permit fees and a cushion calculated by the district’s financial team to account for market fluctuations and contingencies.
To further reduce the tax impact, the Board of Education opted to use its Capital Reserve fund to reduce that amount by $1 million. The state Department of Education has also agreed to pay $8.9 million, making the local cost $29.2 million for Mantua taxpayers.
Mantua’s Board of Education 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 cost.
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 23%, Mantua is in line to get $39.1 million of improvements with the state paying $8.9 million of those costs.
Voter approval of the referendum means that the owner of a home assessed at Mantua’s average ($311,293) would pay approximately $28/month. A calculator on the finance page of this website allows you to enter your assessed value to determine your own estimated tax impact.
No – this type of state aid is contingent on voter approval of the referendum.
This is money Mantua residents have already contributed to the state through taxes. With voter approval, we can bring those dollars back to benefit our own schools.
Mantua Township Schools explores every possible funding source to maintain and upgrade buildings. 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. Mantua Township Schools is committed to contributing $1 million of its Capital Reserve budget to pay for improvements in the referendum, further reducing the tax impact for Mantua residents.
If the referendum is approved, the district will issue a 20-year bond.
The district, in partnership with financial consultants and its architect, thoroughly researched the proposed projects and their associated costs and included a contingency amount in the estimated total. If actual costs exceed what voters approved, plans will need to be adjusted to fit the budget.
If voters approve the bond referendum, the district can only spend that money on projects outlined in the state-approved proposal. If actual costs are lower than what’s estimated, the district will use the money to reduce the debt and therefore reduce taxes.
The State of New Jersey has several programs for property tax relief.
The Property Tax Reimbursement, known as "Senior Freeze," offers property tax reimbursements for senior citizens and people with disabilities who qualify. Visit the Senior Freeze webpage or call (800) 882-6597.
A second plan is called the Stay NJ property tax credit program, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Visit the Stay NJ webpage.
Other current programs are the NJ $250 Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction and the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR).
November 11 Virtual Forum – Details coming soon!
November 17 In-Person Forum/Building Tours – Details coming soon!
November 18 Deadline for new or updated voter registration
December 1 Last day to apply to have a Vote By Mail ballot mailed to you
December 8 at 3 p.m. – Deadline to apply for Vote By Mail ballot in person
December 9 In-person voting at Incarnation Church from 6 am - 8 pm
December 9 Last day for Vote By Mail ballots to be postmarked for return
Any registered voter may vote by mail by completing the Vote By Mail Application and making sure the application reaches the County Clerk’s office by the deadline of December 1 (if sent by mail) or 3 p.m. December 8 (if delivered in person). The Gloucester County Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ.
Polls will be open on December 9 from 6 am - 8 pm at Incarnation Church.
Ask for a provisional ballot if you are told you can’t cast a regular ballot for any reason. Those ballots are reviewed after polls close when paperwork can be closely examined. Valid votes will be counted if they are not duplicates.
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, or would like additional information,
please email referendum2025@mantuaschools.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.