Schools

Perfect Storm: Monmouth Regional Lays Out its $12.3 Million Referendum Plan

The high school makes a case for why now is the right time to support a proposed $12.3 million construction project.

The way that Monmouth Regional High School officials see it, timing is everything when it comes to the upcoming $12.3 million construction referendum.

In a few short months, the district will have finished paying for its last referendum -- in 1996 -- that funded, among other things, the school's performing arts center.

It's a good market for interest rates, according to Business Administrator Maria Anne Parry, as well as for construction cost.

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"It's the perfect storm," she said of the project's timing.

But mostly, the 50-year-old building needs to be updated to accommodate changing needs and stem the wear and tear of generations of students. There's asbestos that still needs to be removed, storage issues that need to be addressed and science labs that could have served as the set of an episode of Welcome Back Kotter.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Aside from the timing issue, Parry also told Patch during a tour of the facility last month that approximately 34 percent of the project would be eligible for aid through New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA). Combined with the anticipated revenue to be generated by the solar panels on the school's roof, Parry said that the project will pay for itself in about seven years.

"This is good debt," said Parry, pointing out that the majority of the project is focused on enhancing academics and not lights on a field or turf for the school that services about 1,100 students.

With debt service aid, taxes would increase an estimated $2.80 annually for Eatontown residents, $5.61 for Tinton Falls taxpayers and $2.26 for Shrewsbury Township residents with a 15-year payback period. If paid off over 20 years, those numbers are estimated to provide a decrease in taxes.

"It's an investment in our school," she continued, adding it would enhance property values and make the school more competitive with area high schools.

The project includes:

  • Renovation of eight science classrooms;
  • Addition of new auxiliary gymnasium;
  • Updating of girls' locker room;
  • New storage space for athletic equipment;
  • New storage space for band and A/V equipment;
  • Repointing of masonry;
  • Addition of solar paneling;
  • Removal of asbestos;
  • Renovation of athletic training room.

The high school's board of education will hear a presentation by attorney Ron Ianaole, of McManimon and Scotland, regarding the bonding for the project at its meeting Tuesday at 7:30 in the lower library at the school.

The school's board will hold a series of open houses in September for the public prior to the Sept. 27 vote.

See the slideshow in our Photo Gallery for detailed photos and information on Monmouth Regional's 2011 Referendum.


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