Voters have approved $82M in projects at Willingboro, Southampton schools. What to expect.
Voters in two Burlington County towns have approved school-improvement projects with a combined cost of approximately $82 million.
Willingboro residents on Tuesday supported two ballot questions worth $67.9 million, according to unofficial results on the county's website.
"The community can look forward to improvements to every school and the construction of an Indoor track and basketball complex," stated a post expressing gratitude on the district's website.
In Southampton, voters narrowly approved a $14.1-million bond to upgrade the local district's three elementary schools.
Soul line dancing: South Jerseyans show off moves on national TV, at Library of Congress
Southampton Superintendent Megan Geibel thanked the bond's supporters. But she acknowledged the close result in a letter to the community Wednesday.
'Our goal is to ensure that every voice is heard and considered as we move forward,' Geibel wrote, adding that the vote's outcome, with 52% approval, "underscores the diverse perspectives within our community."
In Willingboro, almost 70% of voters supported the first ballot question, a $49.7-million proposal to upgrade the district's schools. The second question, which passed with 54% approval, called for spending $18.2 million on an indoor track/basketball complex.
Here are some of the changes set to come to Willingboro:
New or repaired roofs at the district's schools.
Renovations for middle school and high school science labs.
Conversion of elementary school libraries into media centers.
Building gym annexes at the elementary schools.
Installing bathrooms in preschool/kindergarten classrooms.
Improved traffic flow for the parking lot at Garfield East Early Childhood Development Center.
A track/basketball complex on Windover Lane, next to the district's administration building.
The Willingboro projects are to result in a property tax increase of $23 annually for an average home assessed at $161,022. New Jersey is to cover $21 million of the school improvements, but none of the costs for the sports complex.
State aid is to cover $3.5 million of debt service in Southampton. The bond's cost is to hike the annual property tax by $29 for an average home assessed at $189,284.
Among other changes, the Southampton plan is to:
Convert a bus garage at Southampton School No. 1 to hold all-purpose, art and music rooms, while an existing all-purpose room would become an instructional media center. The school also would add a history wall.
Put new restrooms in seven classrooms for all-day preschool at Southampton School No. 2.
Install an all-weather multipurpose field and running track, with pickleball and volleyball courts, and upgraded lighting at Southampton School No. 3.
Implement security upgrades at all three schools, including cameras and additional fencing. They also would see infrastructure upgrades and playground refurbishment.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Residents vote for big changes at schools in Willingboro, Southampton
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