Damage to Sewell Elementary School’s basement is among projects to be financed by the referendum, the approval of which was certified on Dec. 24.
A Dec. 9 vote on the township school district’s $39-million bond referendum that was initially too close to call was decided on late last month – by one vote.
The Gloucester County Board of Elections determined on Dec. 23 that 1,133 residents had voted in favor of the measure, while 1,132 were opposed.
“The district administration and the board of education are grateful to those members of the community who took the time to learn about the projects in the referendum and make their voices heard,” said Superintendent Christine Trampe. “Regardless of the result, our mission remains the same – to prepare our students for life-long success through comprehensive academics, community partnerships and character education.”
According to the district, state aid will finance $8.9 million of the referendum, meaning the taxpayer share will be $29.2 million. That will mean the owner of a home assessed at Mantua’s average of $311,293 will pay $28 in taxes a month.
The referendum will finance upgrades to the HVAC, roofs, ceilings, playground resurfaces and security systems at the district’s three schools, Sewell, Centre City and J. Mason Tomlin elementary schools. Sewell will see most of the renovations given that it is the oldest district school and the most need of renovation, the district said.
The district will host tours and forums related to the referendum and a website will provide as much information as possible to residents.
“It does impact our instruction,” noted Sewell Principal Katelyn Donocoff. “When it rains, it smells very musty. We have perpetual HVAC issues up in the castle (wing). It’s constant; it’s on a day-to-day basis. We have had to displace classrooms – classes of kids and teachers – to different parts of the building so that instruction can continue because of problems with the temperature, problems with the smells.”
The public was split on the refereundum: Some agreed the measure was necessary, while others feared the impact on property taxes.
“The estimated $30-a-month (tax) increase will be significantly higher if the referendum fails,” said resident Lauren Marie. “Our kids cannot continue going to school under some of these conditions, and the repairs will still have to be made either way. If the vote doesn’t pass, we lose the state aid and will end up paying the full cost ourselves, resulting in an even larger tax increase in the long run.
“The vote simply allows us to secure the state funding.”
“A proposed vote for a school bond referendum in the sum of $40 million is set for Dec. 9, 2025,” noted resident Ryan Campbell. “Not during a high turnout election in November. That usually means something is shady; $40 million if passed will increase our tax about $400 to $600 a year for 10 years.”
School renovations are expected to begin in the summer.
