A bond referendum is a vote in which a school district asks voters for permission to borrow funds through the sale of bonds. Only after an approved referendum can a district sell bonds to fund large-scale projects that are not achievable using the annual budget. That annual budget funds day-to-day operations, such as salaries, supplies and regular maintenance. 

Over the past several years, the district has completed a number of projects with funding sources outside the annual operating budget. Some projects have been funded through the district’s Capital Reserve. This is funding that has already been collected through local property taxes that the Board of Education set aside in anticipation of these needs. Other projects have been completed through local, state and federal grants.

The district has been able to allocate funding from outside the regular annual budget toward these projects: 

• Replacement of roofing with state funding 

• Construction of a small concession stand with local grant funding 

• Improvements to HVAC through a previous referendum 10 years ago 

• Campus beautification projects to improve the signage in and around the facility 

• Improvements to efficiency through energy savings programs 

• Renovations and relocation of dance studio 

• Replacement of the ceiling throughout the cafeteria with grant funding  

• Academic and co-curricular expansions in the TV studio, athletic training suite, culinary classroom, summer enrichment programs, and technology additions through Capital Reserve 

• Replacement of all exit doors through Capital Reserve 

• Purchase of engraving equipment for the wood shop with local grant funding 

• Replacement of furniture throughout the district with federal funding tied to pandemic recovery 
  
  

The district consistently seeks funding outside the local tax base and a bond referendum fits with this strategy. The upfront funding from a referendum would allow the district to more efficiently complete major improvements by tapping into state aid to offset project costs and spreading the costs over time. 

The district’s operating budget does the important job of funding day-to-day expenses such as salaries, benefits, maintenance, and supplies. Bond funding, however, brings an advantage that the operating budget does not have. That advantage is state aid – about $14 million – to cover the costs of important projects. Without that, local taxes would have to cover 100 percent of the costs. A bond referendum is one way the Board of Education looks for funding outside the local tax base.  

The Shore Regional Board of Education is committed to sharing accurate information about the bond referendum with the community leading up to the vote on March 11. We encourage community members to visit this website frequently for updates and to attend the in-person community information forum on February 19. The district will share information through a public forum, flyers, a postcard, local media and social media.

An overview video is also available to watch and share with community members.

Please share this information widely and direct all questions to shorevote@vote.shoreregional.org. 

In New Jersey, public school districts contend with a cap on spending. From one year to the next, operating budgets cannot increase more than 2% without specific voter approval. It’s a challenge, to say the least, to fit costs for wages, utilities, technology and supplies within that cap.  

Payments on bonds are not counted in that cap. Because of that, a school district often aims to strategically schedule maintenance matters and facility upgrades under the umbrella of a bond referendum. Doing so leaves the operating budget available for core educational needs and often qualifies those projects for a significant share of state aid. 

Shore Regional High School was built in the early 1960s. Currently, over 70% of the school is the original building that was built back then.

This proposal includes projects that would enhance the experience for every student. High school is an important developmental stage for children where they can explore all their interests. Upgrades to expand our facilities would create more space for student activity and achievement. 

Watch short videos that highlight the proposed projects:

• Program Enhancements

• Building Upgrades

• Safety & Security Upgrades

The exterior of each building wraps around and secures the very important contents inside. Architects call this the “building envelope.” Improvements are proposed to keep the high school’s building envelope in good shape to protect against water coming in, heat going out, and other factors that could affect the buildings’ long-term well-being. It also boosts energy efficiency, which saves the district and local taxpayers money in the long term.  

The new auxiliary gym would be available for students and community members. Right now, we are at capacity for space for student extracurricular activities. For example, wrestling currently hosts practices in the cafeteria.  

This space would also be available for any activities including but not limited to community meetings, fundraising events and more. 

The school’s current plumbing system is original to the building, which was constructed in the late 1950s. This galvanized piping is outdated and approaching the end of its lifespan. The proposed new plumbing would bring copper piping that can last over 50 years. 

Shore Regional High School District seeks voter approval to fund $51 million in improvements with state aid contributing approximately $14 million.  Watch a short overview video about the funding details.

Large referendum projects are expected to span more than three years due to the time required for the design, bidding, local and state level permits, equipment lead times and construction scheduling around the school calendar. Therefore, the cost projections of the projects are conservative to allow for any future cost escalation, supply chain issues, and/or any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.  

These contingency costs, plus soft costs, are required to be included in the proposal and have already been factored into the estimated tax impact. There is an added safeguard for the community – if voters approve the referendum, the district is not permitted to spend more than the amount on the ballot. 

The cost of the projects would be spread over 20 years among taxes paid by all property owners in Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, and West Long Branch.  

Assessed value, which is used to determine a homeowner's property taxes, is different than a home's market value. The market value of a home is typically a higher figure and is an estimate of how much a home could sell for in the current market. Input your address to this website to learn your home’s assessed value.

The Board is not permitted to spend one penny more on the projects (no matter the source of funds) without obtaining additional voter approval. With the help of financial consultants and our architect, Shore Regional has thoroughly researched the proposed projects and their associated costs and has included a contingency amount in the estimated total. That cushion considers potential increases in material costs, gas prices and interest rates. If actual costs exceed what voters approved, plans will have to be adjusted to fit the budget.

The Board is only allowed to use funds on the projects approved by the voters. If the projects are complete and there are remaining bond proceeds, that money would be used to lower taxes by paying principal owed.

There are two compelling reasons to pull some expenses out of the annual budget and into a bond referendum: the 2% spending cap and state Debt Service Aid. The 2% state funding cap is one reason. The second reason is that bond borrowing usually qualifies for Debt Service Aid, as if the state is helping to make the payments on that loan. For Shore Regional, that’s a $14 million advantage. If those same costs were absorbed into the annual operating budget, local taxes would pay 100%.  

Regardless of how you cast your ballot, an up-to-date voter registration is required to vote. A voter must be registered by Feb. 18, and the registration must reflect current name and address. 

• Check your voter registration status in the state database. 

• Register online, or update your name/address by completing a voter registration form and uploading identification documents. 

• Register by mail - print and mail a paper registration form, offered in English and Spanish, to the address on that form. More details about voter registration are available at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Election Division website. 

Polls will be open Tuesday, March 11 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Polling Locations: 

• • • Monmouth Beach: 

      • Districts 1 and 2: Parish Center (72 Riverdale Ave.)

    • Oceanport: 

      • District 1: Oceanport First Aid Squad (2 Pemberton Ave.)

      • Districts 2 and 5: Port-Au-Peck Chemical Hose (433 Myrtle Ave.)

      • District 3: Blackberry Bay Pavillion (440 Port Au Peck Ave.)

      • District 4: Oceanport Hook and Ladder Fire Co (21 Main St.)

    • Sea Bright: 

      • Districts 1 and 2: Cecile F. Norton Community Center (1167 Ocean Ave.)

    • West Long Branch: 

      • District 1: Borough Chemical and Truck Co. (379 Monmouth Rd.)

      • Districts 2 and 5: West Long Branch Boro Hall (965 Broadway)

      • Districts 3 and 4: West Long Branch Community Center (116 Locust Ave.)

      • District 6: Lutheran Church of Reform. (992 Broadway)

    • If you are unsure of your polling location, click here. 

You can vote by mail in this referendum. If you have already requested a ballot to be mailed to you, and if your address is the same, Monmouth County may send you a Vote By Mail ballot automatically before the election. Visit the county website for more information about voting by mail.   

• If you have questions or require assistance, contact the Election Office at (732) 431-7790 or at ClerkOfElections@co.monmouth.nj.us.   

• To request a Vote By Mail ballot, download an English or Spanish application. The county must receive that application by March 4 to mail you a ballot, or by 3 p.m. on March 10 to give you a ballot in person.  

• When you receive your Vote By Mail ballot, fill it out and either:    

• Mail it in postmarked by March 11. 

• Deliver it in person to the County Clerk’s Office (300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold) by March 11.  

• Drop it in a designated ballot drop box by 8 p.m. March 11. 

• Here are some quick tips provided by Monmouth County Clerk’s website.  

• Mail-in ballots cannot be submitted at polling places. 

If you show up at the polling location on voting day and are told your ballot was mailed to you, or that you are not able to vote, ask for a provisional ballot. This ensures your ballot will be counted once all mailed ballots are double-checked and processed.