What will you see on the ballot?  

It's essential for school boards to provide clear and comprehensive information in the ballot language to facilitate informed decision-making by voters.​ ​In New Jersey, when proposing a bond referendum or annual budget for voter approval, districts must adhere to specific requirements regarding ballot language.  

Below you'll find ballot language for the Additional Funding Proposal for the 2025-2026 District Operating Budget (which will appear first on the ballot), followed by ballot language for the two bond referendum questions.  It is important to note that, although local taxes are not expected to cover the total cost of the bond referendum, the ballot language below states the full estimated costs of improvements. The State of New Jersey will contribute financial debt service aid each year as the bonds are bought back.

Bond Proposal Ballot Question 1

The Board of Education of the Town of Westfield in the County of Union, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide for construction of 47,966 gross square feet of additions, and renovations, alterations and improvements at Franklin Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Tamaques Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School, Edison Intermediate School, Roosevelt Intermediate School and Westfield High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $188,651,858 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $188,651,858.

The final eligible costs of these projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the Commissioner of Education are $138,394,178 (with $10,254,327 allocated to Franklin Elementary School, $12,091,655 allocated to Jefferson Elementary School, $9,609,054 allocated to McKinley Elementary School, $6,408,585 allocated to Tamaques Elementary School, $8,734,903 allocated to Washington Elementary School, $10,273,570 allocated to Wilson Elementary School, $18,128,735 allocated to Edison Intermediate School, $18,438,566 allocated to Roosevelt Intermediate School and $44,454,783 allocated to Westfield High School). The projects include $999,324 allocated to Westfield High School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

Do you approve this bond proposal?

Bond Proposal Ballot Question 2

The Board of Education of the Town of Westfield in the County of Union, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide for construction of an additional 30,550 gross square feet of additions, and alterations, renovations and improvements at Franklin Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Tamaques Elementary School and Washington Elementary School needed to implement a full day kindergarten program, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $37,155,384 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $37,155,384. 

In the event this Question No. 2 is approved by the voters at this election, but Question No. 1 is not approved, the Board of Education further appropriates an additional $5,518,320 from Capital Reserve for the purposes approved in this Question No. 2. The final eligible costs of the projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the Commissioner of Education are $5,338,999 (with $1,933,454 allocated to Franklin Elementary School, $715,000 allocated to Jefferson Elementary School, $603,031 allocated to McKinley Elementary School, $876,018 allocated to Tamaques Elementary School and $1,211,496 allocated to Washington Elementary School). The projects include $0 for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

Do you approve this bond proposal?

Interpretive Statement 

If both bond proposals are approved by the voters at this election, the Board of Education will be authorized to undertake school capital projects for a total cost of $225,807,242 and to issue bonds in the total principal amount of $225,807,242 to fund the projects. The aggregate amount of the final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education is $143,733,177 (with $12,187,781 allocated to Franklin Elementary School, $12,806,655 allocated to Jefferson Elementary School, $10,212,085 allocated to McKinley Elementary School, $7,284,603 allocated to Tamaques Elementary School, $9,946,399 allocated to Washington Elementary School, $10,273,570 allocated to Wilson Elementary School, $18,128,735 allocated to Edison Intermediate School, $18,438,566 allocated to Roosevelt Intermediate School and $44,454,783 allocated to Westfield High School). The projects include $999,324 allocated to Westfield High School for school construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects approved at this election.