Referendum - Montville Township Public Schools

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Montville Township Public Schools logo. MTPS Bond Referendum. VOTE. December 12, 2023

Referendum Forum: Virtual Nov. 29. 7PM

FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Montville Township Public Schools educate, inspire and empower every day.

Modern instructional space and well-maintained facilities can preserve the educational environment that spurs the academic and personal growth of our students.

Through diligent research over the past few years, the Board of Education decided a bond referendum is the fiscally responsible next step toward funding key school projects and unlocking state aid to cover some costs.

The next step is in the hands of voters on Tuesday, December 12.

MORE SPACE

Our elementary schools need more space. Growth over the past few years has pushed our elementary schools more than 100 students beyond capacity.

Within four years, MTPS could serve 400 students more than elementary school capacity due to natural population growth and planned housing developments.

In standard classrooms:

For small-group instruction:

For special instruction:

Teachers struggle to offer activity stations in limited classroom space

Temporary dividers are propped on tables to divide rooms.

Speech therapy and other services are held in hallways.

Action in 2023 could put MTPS on track for solving space needs in 2025.

Projected Enrollment (PK-5). New student rate is up 30% to an average of 9 students per month, since the 2021-2022 school year. (Montville Township Public Schools logo). There is a graph with two line showing projected student population with current housing and projected student population with planned housing. The graph illustrates that 1,496 is the current student capacity for all 5 elementary schools. Current elementary population for 2023-2024 is over 1600, which is more than 100 students above capacity. Birthrates, in existing housing, are projected to bring student population to over 1,750, or nearly 300 over capacity, by 2027-2028. With planned housing developments also added to the enrollment projections, it is estimated that the elementary population will be 1,900, or 400+ students over the current capacity of the district's five elementary schools, by 2027-2028.

IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERY SCHOOL

MORE SPACE • EFFICIENT HVAC SYSTEMS • STEPPED-UP SECURITY MEASURES

In addition to more space, other proposed projects include:

Renovating classrooms for small-group instruction

Adding 3 multi-use rooms for flexibility

Upgrading heating and cooling systems for effciency

Enhancing security at school entrances

Each of our schools would benefit from the proposed projects, and bond funding would capture $9.5 million in state aid. Lazar MS and MTHS were improved recently through the regular operating budget.

BY THE NUMBERS

QUESTION 1

Construction of 23 new classrooms at 5 schools

Renovation of 14 classrooms to make 28 smaller areas

Construction of 3 flexible, large-group instructional areas

QUESTION 2

Two-stage security entrances at 5 schools

Upgrades to HVAC systems at 6 schools

ON THE BALLOT

TWO BALLOT QUESTIONS:

Question 1

Building additions/renovations at our elementary schools

$53 million in costs to fund additional space at our elementary schools that are already over capacity

Of that, nearly $6.6 million would come from the district’s Capital Reserve fund

Of that, almost $3.7 million would come from state aid – available only with voter approval

Tax impact: $326 per year for the average assessed home in Montville Township

Question 2

HVAC efficiency and stepped-up security

$17 million in costs to strengthen our schools with more efficient HVAC systems and stepped-up security Of that, nearly $5.8 million would come from state aid – available only with voter approval

Tax impact: $84 per year for the average assessed home in Montville Township

Question 1 must pass for Question 2 to pass. If voters reject Question 1 but approve Question 2, neither proposal would pass.

FUNDING PLAN:

FUNDING PLAN: Two circle graphs. Question 1 Green Segment equals 80.7% Voter Approved Taxes, Yellow segment equals 6.9% State Aid with Bond Funding, White segment equals 12.4% Capital Reserve (To minimize impact, the district's Capital Reserve will help offset costs. Question 2 Green Segment equals 66% Voter Approved Taxes, Yellow segment equals 34% State Aid with Bond Funding. Tax Impact is based on a home assessed at $533,572, which is the mathematical average in Montville Township.

A voter-approved bond referendum would unlock state funding that is not available through any other means

WHAT VOTERS SHOULD KNOW

Nov. 21 - You must be registered to vote by this date. Dec. 5 - Your Vote by Mail application must be received by this date for a ballot to be mailed to you. Dec. 11 - Last day to apply for a Vote By Mail ballot in person. Dec. 12 - Polls open from 2 to 8 p.m. If you are voting by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by this date, or hand-delivered to the county office or drop-box

Nov. 21 -

You must be registered to vote by this date.

Dec. 5 -

Your Vote by Mail application must be received by this date for a ballot to be mailed to you.

Dec. 11 -

Last day to apply for a Vote By Mail ballot in person.

Dec. 12 -

Polls open from 2 to 8 p.m. If you are voting by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by this date, or hand-delivered to the county office or drop-box.

LEARN MORE

FOR INFO AND REMINDERS

Webinar-styled forum with public Q&A

Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 7 – 9 p.m.

Referendum Forum: Virtual Nov. 29. 7PM

The forum will be recorded and published on our website after the event. Info at Montville.net/referendumforum

Scan the QR Code

to view all projects or visit Montville.net/referendum

QR Code for https://www.montville.net/o/montville/page/referendum-projects

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