A bond referendum is a community vote that gives the school district permission to borrow money through the sale of bonds. It’s similar to how a homeowner might take out a home equity loan for a major renovation. Voter approval allows the district to finance large-scale projects, with the help of state aid to offset the eligible project costs. 

The district’s existing debt is nearly paid off. By timing this referendum when debt from a previous referendum is about to end, the district can reinvest in facilities with a minimum amount of tax increase. The estimated net tax impact for the proposed referendum would pick up where the payments from the previous referendum leave off. 

The district’s operating budget covers salaries and benefits, supplies, utilities, and day-to-day expenses. It cannot absorb the cost of large-scale renovations and upgrades across two schools. A bond referendum is a way to spread payments for these projects over time and complete them more efficiently with the help of upfront funding and state aid. 

Bond funding offers advantages that the annual budget does not.   

• The district would qualify for a specific type of state aid – which for OTSD is $4.3 million – through bond funding. That state aid is only available to a district when the community approves a referendum.   

• Every NJ taxpayer contributes toward school improvements funded through bond referenda. Only districts that have a voter-approved bond referendum can get a share of those funds to invest back into their schools.

The district’s current payments from a previous referendum are ending in 2027. A bond referendum is part of the OTSD Board of Education’s strategy to keep the tax rate steady by replacing debt from a previous referendum with new debt. 

With voter approval, the district would qualify for a specific type of state aid – which for OTSD is $4.3 million – that would help offset the eligible project costs, and therefore, reduce the overall cost for taxpayers.

When school districts use voter-approved bonds, New Jersey provides debt service aid (state aid). This state contribution reduces the local share, allowing taxpayers to benefit from funds they already paid to the state. In OTSD’s case, the state would pay $4.3 million toward the eligible project costs, with voter approval. The debt service aid is applied to the principal and interest on the bond. 

If voters reject the referendum, the district will finish paying the current debt and the owner of a home assessed at the OTSD average ($466,994) would see a tax decrease of about $7 per month. However, any decrease is likely to be temporary, as the district would still need to pay for the proposed repairs and updates without the help of state aid that comes with an approved bond referendum. 

These large-scale projects do not fit into the annual budget, which has a specific and separate purpose from the bond referendum. 

The budget funds all the regular costs of operating the district’s two schools and the education of Waretown students at Southern Regional.  These costs include items such as payroll, transportation, utilities, tuition and supplies. A bond referendum allows projects to be completed with the help of state aid and keeps the annual budget focused on the core educational needs.

Many residents are aware of the financial challenges facing the district because of significant reductions in state school funding. Since the implementation of the S2 school funding law, Ocean Township has experienced a reduction of approximately $5.2 million in state aid over the past six years. At the same time, costs associated with healthcare, transportation, utilities, special education, and an increasing student population have continued to rise. 

Over the past several years, the district has had to eliminate positions, reduce staffing, and make difficult decisions regarding programs offered to students. These decisions were made in an attempt to prioritize students and preserve the core educational programs they need. However, decreases in state aid have also made it increasingly difficult to address significant capital needs within the aging school facilities. A referendum offers a way to bring some of those lost dollars back to invest in Ocean Township schools.

According to law, the Board is not permitted to spend one cent more on the projects without obtaining additional voter approval. This is a built-in guarantee to the taxpayers that the project costs will not exceed the amount stated on the ballot. With the help of financial consultants and architects who specialize in school projects, Ocean Township School District has thoroughly researched the proposed projects, estimated their associated costs, and included a contingency amount in the estimated total. If actual costs exceed what voters approved, projects will have to be adjusted to fit within the budget.    

If costs come in under budget, state law requires the district pass the savings along to the taxpayer by paying down the bond earlier than estimated. The district cannot use bond funding to pay for any projects other than the ones approved by voters. 

Eligible seniors can apply for three property tax relief programs – ANCHOR, Senior Tax Freeze and Stay NJ – by filling out a single form. The Senior Freeze program reimburses homeowners for the amount of a property tax increase related to a referendum or for any other reason.   

Eligibility criteria for 2026 vary for each program.    

Fill out the application HERE.    

For more information or questions about filling out the form, call the Property Tax Relief Customer Service Center at 1-888-238-1233.

The Ocean County Office of Senior Services has  mobile unit to bring information, resources and support to Waretown on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29.

Visit the Engel Sprague Senior Center at 239 11th St. in Waretown to learn about available services and supports.

For more information, please call the Office of Senior Services at (732) 929-2091.

There were 41 maintenance requests before school even opened to students this year, and 20% of those were related to issues with the HVAC systems. There also were additional roof leaks as a result of a severe storm that occurred a few days before the scheduled first day of school. Addressing these concerns before the start of school required emergency repairs. These repairs are Band-Aids, not long-term solutions. 

Replacing the roofing and HVAC systems that are at or past their useful lifespans would reduce the risk of leaks and functional issues that require immediate attention and add up in terms of costly repairs. New products are more efficient, create a more functional and healthy learning environment and come with warranties for added peace of mind.

Projects that would enhance energy efficiency with modern products/systems include: 

• Roofing replacements at both Priff and WES to reduce the risk of leaks that could lead to costly repairs 

• Classroom HVAC upgrades at both Priff and WES to reduce classroom humidity and improve temperature control  

• Roof-top HVAC units at both schools to improve temperature control and functionality 

• Elements of the HVAC systems that are past their useful lifespan at both schools Aging Boiler replacement at both schools to properly heat the buildings  

The district has strong safety procedures already in place, but upgraded technology would increase and strengthen what is currently in practice. Security would be enhanced at both schools by upgrading fire alarm systems and equipment. The existing alarms work, however there is newer technology available that would enhance the functionality and create safer schools for our students and staff members. 

Learn about all the projects on the ballot here.

The referendum is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, and will appear on the General Election ballot. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at your usual polling location. Check your polling location HERE.

Yes, the State of New Jersey offers early voting for the general election, and several Ocean County locations will be available for early voting from Oct. 24-Nov. 1 (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays).  

Selected Early Voting Centers are open for early voting. Check the locations on the county website here.

• First, check your voter registration: Make sure your information is up to date with your current name and address. The deadline to register or update your registration is Oct. 13. 

• Vote By Mail: Registered voters can request a mail-in ballot from the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.  

• Return your mail-in ballot: Mail it back so it’s postmarked by Nov. 3 or use an official drop box if available. Vote By Mail ballots will not be accepted at in-person polling locations. 

• Vote in person: Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the usual voting locations. 

• If there’s a problem at the polls: If you are told you cannot vote, ask for a provisional ballot. That step ensures your vote will be counted once your eligibility can be confirmed.