THE NORTHVALE PUBLIC SCHOOL

BOND REFERENDUM

Our School. Our Children. Our Community.

Vote on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022


From: Superintendent Michael Pinajin

To: Northvale Community

November 18, 2022


I am excited to provide you with an update regarding the recent passing of our school bond referendum. Please know that our bond was officially sold on Wednesday, November 16 and fortunately, we were able to secure an interest rate that is slightly lower than the rate we anticipated receiving. This means that the tax increase to each household in Northvale will be less than the $50 per year that we had conservatively projected (it will actually be $39.37 for the average assessed home).


Also, we have already begun to work with our architect to prepare for the project bid process that will take place in the spring of 2023. Once the bids are accepted we are anticipating, based on conversations with our architect, that we will be able to begin several of our projects this summer. Of course, this is all dependent on materials and labor forces being available, so we are cautiously optimistic about this timeline. I will provide community updates as our projects progress.

Official results show that voters PASSED the bond referendum for the Northvale Public School! The tally: 320 in favor and 244 in opposition.

That total includes votes submitted at the polls on Thursday, Oct. 6 and mail-in ballots received by the same date. The Board of Education thanks all the voters of Northvale who cast their ballots to make their voices heard. We look forward to beginning the new phase for our school’s future!

Strategic Time & Action

What is a bond referendum? It's a key step on the path to addressing those needs in a fiscally responsible way. Two reasons make a bond referendum a strategic move for Northvale now:


  1. Voter approval is necessary for the kind of up-front funding we need to make long-lasting improvements without waiting years for them. For example, a modular building like the one imagined in this drawing would provide necessary space.


  1. Only with a voter-approved bond referendum can we get a special type of state aid. With that state aid, we can invest back into Northvale instead of sending our tax dollars elsewhere.

The Board of Education worked with staff and expert consultants to develop a bond referendum proposal that maximizes the opportunity for state aid. Total project costs are estimated at $10.6 million, and state aid would reduce that by $2.9 million. That kind of assistance makes this bond referendum a strategic financial move.

Northvale continually improves its programs and facilities. What makes these projects different?

Some are large in scale, like renovating the Media Center and creating a modular building. It would be difficult to afford them without capturing state aid and spreading costs over time. Bond funding means they qualify for state aid, whereas they don't qualify for special aid in the regular budget.

A school bond referendum asks voters to consider funding through the sale of bonds. Property taxes are used to buy back those bonds, with interest, over many years.

Our needs fall into three categories:

  • We need more space. Our programs would benefit from more flexible space for small-group instruction. Some students with special needs are bused to other districts for programs and services and could be brought back to our district. We could also add a tuition-based, preschool program to serve local children and generate revenue.


  • Air conditioning would expand comfort and capabilities. Students use our Gymnasium and All-Purpose Room throughout the school day and community organizations use them in the evenings and weekends. Air conditioning would make them more comfortable when it’s hot, when it’s humid, and when it’s allergy season. Adding A/C would allow the community to get more use out of these public resources. It would also improve energy efficiency on a building-wide basis.


  • Roof and ceiling replacements could benefit from state aid. Like the rest of the referendum proposal, projects like a roof and ceiling are not flashy, but they are necessary. They can also strain the operating budget that supports our instructional program. Moving them out of that realm and into a bond referendum means they qualify for state aid. In other words, local taxes wouldn’t pay 100% of the costs.


More project information is on Our Plan page.

A modernized Media Center would better meet modern demands for flexibility and functionality – a place for solo reading or group interaction. By placing bookshelves along all available wall space, the center of the room would be opened up.

Learn More, then VOTE on Thursday, Oct. 6

This website is the primary place for information about the bond referendum for the Northvale Public School. The state has pushed the date to an unusual Thursday vote because of religious observances, and convenient Vote by Mail ballots will be available in addition to an in-person polling place.

Voters will remain informed leading up to Oct. 6 through this website, a video, and a Q-and-A opportunity on Sept. 14.

Stay up to date by checking this website often and by following @NorthvalePS on Twitter.