Maywood public schools
VOTE March 14, 2023
VOTE March 14, 2023
FINAL VOTE TALLY: The official results of the bond referendum show 905 votes in favor and 340 votes opposed.
The Board of Education thanks residents for showing their Maywood Pride by voting and looks forward to the improvements that will shape the future of Maywood Public Schools.
Our district’s two school buildings hold many memories for the Maywood community. Most residents not only sent children through Memorial and Maywood Avenue Schools but attended the schools themselves.
We take pride in our district's deep roots and relationships in the community. It’s what motivates us to continuously improve our schools. Maywood has created a wide range of opportunities for students, through additions such as full-day kindergarten and a new gym at Memorial School. These projects will enhance the tradition of excellence found in our district.
What’s good for Maywood schools is good for Maywood ... our buildings are a second home for our active community.
While we’re firmly focused on the future, we also face the challenges of aging buildings.
Maywood Avenue School, serving grades 4-8, is 100 years old. Memorial School, for grades pre-K-3, is not far behind. Neither school has updated HVAC/univent/air conditioning, the fire safety system is obsolete, and roofs are beyond their life expectancy.
The district will hold a $22 million bond referendum on March 14 as it seeks to fund must-have repairs, upgrade its HVAC system and meet students’ needs for space and modern instructional standards.
Updating science spaces will help our students stay competitive academically.
A bond referendum is a vote that asks community members for permission to borrow money through the sale of bonds.
Aside from giving the community a voice, a referendum means the district receives state aid if voters approve. A bond referendum is the only way to secure state funding toward building projects, reducing the cost to taxpayers. The state has agreed to fund 28% of the $22 million project costs if voters approve the proposal.
The timeline for proposed referendum projects is another compelling benefit. An approved vote would let the district finish all construction by the end of 2025.
Addressing the health, safety and modern instructional needs of our schools is not optional. The only question is whether these projects are fast-tracked with the help of state aid.
Residents must be registered to vote by Feb. 21 to participate in the referendum.
Our proposal revolves around building necessities, and our funding plan is just as practical. Holding a referendum offers the opportunity to access a dedicated source of state aid. Taxpayers across New Jersey pay into this fund, but only districts with an approved referendum can bring some of the money back home.
Maywood carefully structured its proposal to maximize the amount of state aid eligibility. The state has committed to pay $6.2 million toward the $22 million project costs. The district also may contribute funds from its capital reserve toward the debt service.
The tax impact would be under $28 per month for the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $449,058.
Maywood district leaders outline the proposed building projects and explain how they would improve the day-to-day experience for students and staff, as well as the community members who use Memorial School and Maywood Avenue School.
See the projects page for additional videos focused on the need for more instructional space, air conditioning and general HVAC upgrades, and the renovation of a Maywood Avenue School science lab into a STEM lab/Makerspace