Ahead of the Sept. 16 bond referendum, Moorestown Township Public Schools (MTPS) held a virtual forum on Aug. 19 that featured a panel of district leaders, project architects and financial advisors.
Panelists from the district included Superintendent of Schools Dr. Courtney McNeely, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Innovation Dr. Karen Benton, Director of Athletics Joseph McColgan, Principal of the Upper Elementary School (UES) Dr. Lindsay Jablonski and Principal Brian Carter of Roberts Elementary School.
“We know that this referendum is more than necessary, and it is the only certain way that we can get state funding towards our needs at this time,” McNeely said. “It is the most fiscally responsible, it’s responsive to our needs and it is our way of responding to growing enrollment.”
Earlier this year the Moorestown board of education voted to hold a bond referendum focused on easing space constraints and replacing aging building systems. MTPS only receives state funding through voter approval. The district is eligible for $18.7 million in state aid toward the $108.3 million total project costs. The projects will be grouped into two ballot questions.
Question 2 cannot pass unless Question 1 is approved. The estimated tax impact is based on a property assessed at Moorestown’s average of $465,125. Assessed value is the value assigned by a municipality that appears on tax bills. It is different and typically lower than the market value.
Ballot Question 1:
Elementary renovations for space; William Allen Middle School (WAMS) additions; gym/facilities renovations; HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) upgrades; roof replacements; Moorestown High School (MHS) projects including replacement of tennis courts and stadium turf, and Isenberg Gymnasium renovations; and security improvements.
- Cost: $80.3 million
- State aid: $15.9 million
- Estimated monthly tax impact: $37
Ballot Question 2:
Operations Center; MHS instructional renovations/improvements, athletic enhancements (three new turf fields, lighting); and traffic flow improvements.
- Cost: $28 million
- State aid: $2.7 million
- Estimated monthly tax impact: $17
A few projects proposed at each school, according to the district, are as follows:
MHS
- Transform the current maintenance area and bus garage into classroom space to expand innovative programming
- Move the Operations Center to an adjacent field with a new parking lot and free-standing building for concession stand and bathrooms
- Replace roofing to prevent leaks and improve energy efficiency
- Upgrade HVAC, boilers to be more efficient and functional
- Replace fire alarm system
- Install turf at three fields
- Replace turf at stadium
- Replace tennis courts
- Upgrade Isenberg Gym bleachers, floor, equipment
- Make sidewalks and entrances more ADA-accessible
William Allen Middle School
- Build two-story addition for 13 instructional spaces
- Build full-size gym with off-hours access for the community
- Renovate classrooms, main office and guidance area
- Renovate auxiliary gym
- Improve traffic flow by modifying driveway and bus loop
- Add parking to accommodate staff that would transfer with sixth grade
- Upgrade HVAC to be more efficient and functional
- Replace fire alarm system, public address system
- Make sidewalks and entrances more ADA-accessible
The proposal also includes building upgrades that would enable the district to accommodate anticipated student enrollment growth and to offer tuition-free full-day kindergarten, according to school officials. MTPS is one of only a few remaining districts in the state without a tuition-free full-day program. The referendum projects would create kindergarten space by shifting grade levels among buildings, addressing other academic needs in the process. If voters approve the referendum, school construction and renovations would be completed in time to open full-day kindergarten by 2028. The state’s full-day kindergarten requirement goes into effect for the 2029-’30 school year.
The bond referendum would create space for the youngest students through a series of building changes. A two-story addition at William Allen Middle School would let sixth graders move from the UES, bringing grades 6 to 8 under one roof. Third graders would move from the lower elementary schools to UES, creating a true elementary school for grades 3 to 5. That would open the space for Baker, Roberts and South Valley to welcome full-day kindergarten and accommodate growth in pre-K to 2 schools. Kindergarten classrooms would receive renovations, including the addition of bathrooms where needed.
Moving third grade from lower elementary schools to the UES would:
- Manage class sizes at the lower elementary schools
- Allow more students to attend their neighborhood schools
- Create a true elementary school for grades 3 to 5 at UES
- Free up space to provide full-day, tuition-free kindergarten
Moving sixth grade from the UES to WAMS would:
- End the need for UES to juggle an elementary school schedule and frequent middle school class changes in one building
- Educate sixth graders in middle school, where they belong for social and extracurricular experiences, and academic continuity
- Allow sixth graders to participate in competitive sports programs with other schools
For more information on the referendum, visit the Referendum tab through www.mtps.com.
