Information for the 2025 Referendum

 

0% Tax Impact – Investing in Our Schools!
The Manville School District is excited to announce a 0% Tax Impact Referendum that takes advantage of Debt Service Aid, bringing back nearly $4 million in state funding to support critical school facility improvements.

 

What is Debt Service Aid?
Debt Service Aid allows school districts to receive financial assistance from the State of New Jersey under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act (EFCFA).

• Manville is eligible for approximately 58% reimbursement of project costs.
• The State funds 85% of its share, resulting in the State covering $0.49 for every $1 spent and Manville covering $0.51.

 

Key Projects Covered in the Referendum
The referendum addresses safety, infrastructure, and program enhancements to improve the health, well-being, and learning environments for our students and staff:

• Manville High School (MHS):
  • Main Office Renovations & Security Vestibules
  • Gymnasium Renovations
  • Band Room Renovations
• Alexander Batcho Intermediate School (ABIS):
  • Gymnasium Renovations & Floor Replacements
  • Gymnasium Stage Repurposing for Multipurpose Use
  • Band Room Renovations
• District-Wide Improvements:
  • Door Replacements for Enhanced Security
  • Security Vestibules/Mantraps

 

Financial Overview

• Total Cost of Projects: $7,743,311
• State Share (Debt Service Aid): $3,821,324 (49%)
• Local Share (District’s Contribution): $3,921,987 (51%)

The local share will be paid using capital reserves and existing funds, ensuring NO INCREASE IN TAXES for residents.

 

Election Details

• Date: March 11, 2025 (Special Referendum Election)
• Polling Location: V.F.W. Main Hall, 600 Washington Avenue, Manville
• Voter Registration Deadline: February 17, 2025

 

Why Vote?

This referendum is an opportunity for the Manville community to maximize state aid, improve facilities, and prioritize safety and student success—all without increasing taxes.

 

Stay Informed

Visit our website at www.manvilleschools.org for additional details about the projects and voter registration information.

 

Let’s continue investing in our schools for Every Child, Every Day!

 

Polling and Voter Information

Election Date:

March 11, 2025- Referendum Special Election

 

Polling Location:

V.F.W., Main Hall, 600 Washington Avenue from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
 

New Jersey Voter Information:

Am I registered to vote?
Click here to check if you are a registered voter in New Jersey.

How do I register to vote?
Complete the Voter Registration Application online by clicking here or by mailing in a paper voter registration form. Registrants will need a current and valid Driver’s license, a non-driver Identification Card issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, or a Social Security Number.

What is the voter registration deadline for the referendum?
The voter registration deadline is 21 days before the election.  All voters must be registered by February 17, 2025.

How do I register for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot?
You can apply for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot by completing the form here. A voter may apply for a Mail-in-Ballot by mail up to 7 days before the election. They may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3 PM on the day before the election.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Why is the district considering a referendum?

A: The Manville School District is considering a referendum to address critical infrastructure projects that focus on improving the health and safety of students, staff, and the community. The proposed projects include security upgrades, renovations to offices, gymnasiums, band rooms, and repurposing spaces for better utilization.

The referendum allows the district to take advantage of New Jersey's Debt Service Aid, which covers approximately 49% of project costs, resulting in no tax impact for residents. The funding will be sourced from a combination of Capital Reserves and the Debt Service Aid program. These improvements are essential for enhancing safety, expanding opportunities, and supporting community needs.

 

Q:  How is it possible that approving this referendum will not affect my taxes?

A: Approving the referendum will not affect taxes because the Manville School District plans to fund the projects using a combination of Capital Reserves and Debt Service Aid from the State of New Jersey. Under the Debt Service Aid program, the state reimburses the district for approximately 49% of project costs. This means Trenton contributes its share of tax dollars back to the district for these specific projects.

Additionally, the district is leveraging existing funds without increasing the tax burden on residents, ensuring a 0% tax impact for the community.

 

Q:  What is a bond referendum?

A bond referendum is a vote to consider a public entity’s plan to borrow through the sale of bonds. Public school districts can sell bonds to generate funding and repurchase them with interest over time. In that way, bond borrowing is similar to how a homeowner might use a home equity loan to make improvements and pay that loan back over the years. Property taxes make payments on those bonds, so voter permission is necessary to sell them.

 

Q:  What is debt service aid?

A:  The State of New Jersey offers to fund districts under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act (EFCFA) known as Debt Service Aid.  All New Jersey taxpayers contribute to this pool of school improvement funds, but only districts with a voter-approved bond referendum benefit from it.  Manville is eligible for approximately 49% in reimbursement of the costs of our school facilities projects.  Meaning for every dollar spent, the state of New Jersey will pay roughly $0.49, and Manville will pay $0.51.  

Districts must be proactive to leverage this type of state aid; it is not automatically allocated like annual state funding. Without a voter-approved bond referendum, this funding is left on the table for other districts that pursue bond borrowing. The local property tax would cover the entire cost of projects on the district’s Long-Range Facilities Plan.
 

Q:  What happens if the referendum fails?

A:  These projects are part of the Manville School District Long Range Facilities plans and must be completed. The district will be responsible for 100% of the cost and complete them over a longer period.  The district would not be able to take advantage of the 49% debt service aid from the state and leave our tax dollars in Trenton.

 

Q:  How come the District has all this money in its general funds? Shouldn’t that money have gone back to the taxpayers?

A:  For many years, the Manville School District was dramatically underfunded and could not address many major capital projects. As the state aid has increased, the District has been cautious with its spending while improving academic programming and facilities and avoiding raising taxes.  Through the general funds budget, the district was able to complete various projects, including major renovations to the MHS Auditorium, the Ned Panfile Stadium, the ABIS and MHS Media Center’s, classroom renovations, as well as, boiler and roof repairs throughout the district.  This referendum will allow the community to continue its commitment to improving the district facilities through its general funds while taking advantage of the state’s Debt Service Aid program (49% of the project’s cost).   

 

Q:  If voters approve the referendum, when would the work begin?

A:  Voter approval in March 2025 will allow the Manville School District to begin the bid and construction process immediately.  Renovations begin during summer of 2025 and all projects will be completed by December 2026.

 

Q:  Will we get a diverse pool of bids?

A:  The referendum vote is the first of a multi-step process for the projects.  Once all the project plans are finalized and have received state approval, the district will accept bids.  These bids must come within the project’s budget.  This is open public bidding, for which all qualified bidders are encouraged to submit.  The bid is noticed in a legal ad in the paper and on the district’s website.

 

Q:  Will the projects possibly go over budget?

A:  The projects can not legally go over budget. The referendum represents the maximum total cost of all of the projects.