Plan includes expanded space for pre-k and athletic area upgrades
Cape May Court House, N.J. – The Middle Township Board of Education will seek the community’s permission to finance school upgrades through a bond referendum on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The board voted to hold the referendum, or vote, at its June 6 meeting.
Middle Township Public Schools is proposing building additions and renovations to meet students’ instructional needs, including a growing demand for tuition-free pre-k and individualized learning support that has become more critical since the pandemic. The addition of a turf field at Memorial Field would increase playing time for students and local recreation leagues.
If voters approve the referendum, the district will receive upfront funding through bond borrowing – and money from the state to offset the amount on local tax bills. The state will pay $3 million toward the $26.5 million project costs if the referendum succeeds.
“No family in Middle Township should miss out on tuition-free pre-k because of a lack of classroom space,” said Dr. Dave Salvo, Superintendent of Schools. “The Board of Education and district leaders formed the bond proposal as a means of bringing more opportunities to Township youth – in the classroom and on the athletic spaces that fuel positive experiences for them.”
MTPS receives preschool expansion aid through a state program that pays for staffing and operating pre-k, but does not provide funding to add more classrooms.
The proposed improvements in the bond referendum include:
Middle Elementary School #1
- A building addition for 4 new pre-k classrooms with ADA-compliant bathrooms, as well as offices, storage space and a faculty bathroom
- Renovations to convert existing classrooms into 6 more pre-k classrooms with ADA-compliant bathrooms
- New, more efficient unit ventilators to manage heating, cooling and fresh air flow in 16 classrooms
- Electrical service upgrades to support the new unit ventilators
Middle Elementary School #2
- A building addition with 9 classrooms, 2 small group instruction classrooms, boys and girls bathrooms, and a storage room and mechanical room
- Renovations to create 2 small group instruction classrooms, 2 private guidance offices and a dedicated area for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Athletic Facilities
- A multi-sport artificial turf field at Memorial Field, with drainage, fencing and lighting, for use by district students and recreation leagues/local organizations
- Replacement home-side bleachers with seating for more than 1,300 and a new press box
- Resurfacing of five tennis courts between the middle school and high school
All registered voters in Middle Township can vote at the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 17, or by mail on or before the election date. For updates and much more information on the referendum, go to middletownshippublicschools.org/future