The Willingboro Public Schools is holding a bond referendum on March 9, 2010 to fund $67.3 million in renovations and upgrades across its eight schools. If approved, the state will fund 59.6% ($40.1 million) of the total cost, while the local share is 40.4% ($27.2 million). The projects are considered "Level One", meaning they address critical health, safety, and regulatory issues. Renovations include window replacement, bathroom renovations, boiler replacements, electrical and security upgrades. Passage is urged as interest rates and construction costs are low, and the district can improve facilities while minimizing tax impacts through the state funding support.

1. Renovation for Education Willingboro Public Schools 2010 School Referendum

2. What We’ll Cover Referendum Facts What is a referendum? Why is the district choosing to go to referendum? Why now? Classification of Projects Level One, Two and Three Project descriptions Scope of Project (according to school) Cost Summary Frequently Asked Questions Voter Information

4. The Willingboro Schools’ referendum will ask voters to fund only 40 percent (local share) of all needed renovations and upgrades.Delete text and place photo here.

6. To improve the safety and security of our students;

7. To improve facilities for ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) Accessibility

8. To provide for normal life-cycle replacement of specified building systems or elements; and

10. Eligibility & Prioritization: LEVEL ONEPROJECTS Level One Projects are classified as critical operational needs and program mandates. Level One Projects Include: Emergent Projects Essential Building Upgrades Building Skin Building Code Issues ADA Upgrades Hazardous Material Abatement Security and Communications Systems Site Drainage Elementary School Playgrounds Renovated/New Early Childhood Classrooms Special Population Needs All projects included in this referendum are classified as Level One Projects! Delete text and place photo here. Delete text and place photo here.

11. Total Project Funding Facts: Estimated Total Project Cost: $67,357,027.00 State Share (59.6%) $40,146,337.00 Local Share (40.4%) $27,210,690.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

12. Willingboro High School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

13. Proposed Renovations: Willingboro High School All Projects at Willingboro High School are classified as “Level One” projects. WHS Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Locker Room Renovations Educational Upgrades in Existing Science Rooms Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades Delete text and place photo here. Delete text and place photo here.

14. WHS Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated WHS Project Cost: $18,190,647.00 State Share (59.6%) $10,842,044.00 Local Share (40.4%) $7,348,603.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

15. Levitt Middle School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

16. Proposed Renovations: Levitt Middle School All Projects at Levitt Middle School are classified as “Level One” projects. LMS Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades Telephone System Replacement Delete text and place photo here.

17. LMS Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated LMS Project Cost: $8,080,182.00 State Share (59.6%) $4,815,974.00 Local Share (40.4%) $3,264,208.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

18. MemorialUpperElementary School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

19. Proposed Renovations: Memorial Upper Elementary School All Projects at Memorial Upper Elementary School are classified as “Level One” projects. MUES Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Locker Room Renovations Educational Upgrades to Existing Science Rooms Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades Delete text and place photo here.

20. MUES Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated MUES Project Cost: $13,105,268.00 State Share (59.6%) $7,811,041.00 Local Share (40.4%) $5,294,208.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

21. Garfield East Elementary School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

22. Proposed Renovations: Garfield East Elementary School All Projects at Garfield East Elementary School are classified as “Level One” projects. GE Elem. Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Multi-Purpose Room Air Conditioning Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades New CCTV Security System Fire Alarm System Replacement Delete text and place photo here.

23. GE Elem. Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated GE Elem. Project Cost: $5,448,957.00 State Share (59.6%) $3,247,704.00 Local Share (40.4%) $2,201,253.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

24. HawthorneElementary School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

25. Proposed Renovations: Hawthorne Elementary School All Projects at Hawthorne Elementary School are classified as “Level One” projects. Hawthorne Elem. Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Multi-Purpose Room Air Conditioning Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades New CCTV Security System Delete text and place photo here.

26. Hawthorne Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated Hawthorne Project Cost: $5,581,721.00 State Share (59.6%) $3,326,834.00 Local Share (40.4%) $2,254,887.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

27. J.C. StuartElementary School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

28. Proposed Renovations: J.C. Stuart Elementary School All Projects at J.C. Stuart Elementary School are classified as “Level One” projects. Stuart Elem. Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades New CCTV Security System Telephone System Replacement

29. J.C. Stuart Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated Stuart Project Cost: $5,967,181.00 State Share (59.6%) $3,556,577.00 Local Share (40.4%) $2,410,604.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

30. TwinHillsElementary School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

31. Proposed Renovations: Twin Hills Elementary School All Projects at Twin HillsElementary School are classified as “Level One” projects. TH Elem. Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Multi-Purpose Room Floor Replacement Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Multi-Purpose Room Air Conditioning Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades New CCTV Security System Fire Alarm System Replacement

32. Twin Hills Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated TH Project Cost: $5,587,360.00 State Share (59.6%) $3,330,195.00 Local Share (40.4%) $2,257,165.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

33. W.R. JamesElementary School Proposed Improvements Included in the 2010 Referendum

34. Proposed Renovations: W.R. James Elementary School All Projects at W.R. JamesElementary School are classified as “Level One” projects. WRJ Elem. Projects Include: Window Replacement Exterior Door Replacement Interior Door Replacement Restroom Renovations Boiler Replacement Unit Ventilator Replacement Building Electrical Service Upgrades Electrical Distribution System Upgrades Plumbing System Upgrades New CCTV Security System

35. James Renovation Project: Funding Facts: Estimated WRJ Project Cost: $5,395,711.00 State Share (59.6%) $3,215,968.00 Local Share (40.4%) $2,179,743.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

36. Total Project Funding Facts: Estimated Total Project Cost: $67,357,027.00 State Share (59.6%) $40,146,337.00 Local Share (40.4%) $27,210,690.00 The State of NJ has committed grant funds for nearly 60 percent of the total costs associated with this project.

37. Frequently Asked Questions Will the district incur additional staffing and operating costs if this referendum is approved? No. No additional staff and/or operating costs will be incurred, but our facilities will be safer, more comfortable, more accessible and improved systems will operate more efficiently and last longer. Are the improvements really necessary? Can’t we just wait for better economic times? All the proposed improvements are emergent, mandated or timely, meaning they are necessary. While we understand that taxpayers are experiencing financial difficulties, there will not be a better time to take advantage of reduced construction costs, the state grant and favorable bond financing.

38. Frequently Asked Questions How will the State pay the 60 percent of funds that have been allocated to the project? The district has secured $40.1 million in a State grant. Grant funds reduce the referendum-related indebtedness of the district. What happened to all the money we pay in taxes to maintain the school? Why can’t the regular budget pay for all of this? The Facilities budget has been set at minimal increases for multiple years – the result of a cap on budget increases mandated by the NJ Department of Education. The administration and the Board of Education work tirelessly to minimize the annual school budget. In addition, repeated budget vote defeats have caused further cutbacks.

39. Frequently Asked Questions How will this referendum affect my property taxes? Residents with homes valued at the current average assessment will see an increase of approximately $159.00 per year as a result of the referendum. That equates to only $13.25 per month, or the cost of a pizza dinner at a local eatery. Are there programs to offset the tax increases of the proposed referendum? Yes, eligible senior citizens can apply to the NJ Property Tax Reimbursement Program. Eligibility information can be found with our referendum information on the district website.

40. Frequently Asked Questions Assuming the referendum passes on March 9, when will the work begin? The most emergent problems will be addressed first, with work primarily occurring during the summer seasons so as not to disrupt learning, most likely beginning in June 2011. Will work be done anywhere other than the schools? No. There will be no work conducted at any of the closed schools, warehouse or Country Club Administration Building, as grant funds would not cover renovations at these facilities. What happens if there is a cost overrun for this project? The amount of this plan is based on estimates prepared by the district’s architect, engineers and cost estimators. The amount of the bond is expected to cover the costs of all proposed work. Contingencies and possible construction cost increases have been factored into the total cost to minimize any possibility of overruns. Most importantly, the district cannot spend any more money than the voters approve.

41. Voting Information Voters will be asked to come to the polls on Tuesday, March 9, from 2:00 To 9:00 p.m. This is only one of five dates approved by the State for school district referenda. To be eligible to vote in the school referendum, you must be registered to vote at least 21 days prior to March 9, or by February 16, 2010. You can register to vote by filling out a Voter Registration Application and mailing it into the Burlington County Board of Elections. This application can also be found at our website. You can locate your polling place by using the search tool located on the referendum page of the district website. Absentee ballots can also downloaded and mailed to the Burlington County Clerk up to seven days prior to the election. Absentee ballots must be received by the County Clerk no later than 3:00 PM on election day (March 9, 2010).

42. Please come out to vote Tuesday, March 9, 2010! For more voter information, please visit our website at www. willingboroschools.org.