Click on the questions below to get answers about the Merriam Avenue Expansion Referendum.

1. Why close Halsted?

2. Why expand at Merriam?

3. What are the school district's enrollment projections?

4. What has the school district done to provide tax relief?

5. What impact would school consolidation have on staffing levels?

6. What happens if the referendum does not pass?

Board of Education approves Merriam Avenue School expansion referendum for September 26, 2017

The Board of Education approved a resolution for a special election to seek voter approval of its School Facilities Consolidation Plan to expand Merriam Avenue School to house grades pK-8 and close Halsted Street School.  Both actions have received approval from the New Jersey Department of Education.  The referendum proposes $18,693,675 in long-term bonds to pair with $256,326 from the district's capital reserves to fund the $18.95 million total project cost. The State has awarded annual debt service aid of 16.3355% percent, bringing the local debt service cost down to $15,598,097.

Here is a link to the full text of the resolution.  Updated versions of the floor plans are reproduced below.

Members of the Board of Education and Administration presented the School Facilities Consolidation Plan to the Town of Newton Planning Board on Wednesday May 17, 2017.  The meeting was productive and brought greater clarity to the project.  The next day the Board of Education received a letter confirming that the proposed additions were "not inconsistent with the Town of Newton Master Plan." The letter referenced recommendations from the town engineer. The Board of Education thanks the town officials for their insightful review and cooperative spirit.

A more recent updated version of the site plan was reviewed at the meeting and is reproduced below.

Board leaders, district administrators, and representatives of EI Associates formally presented a School Facilities Consolidation Plan to the public on March 20, 2017.  The Board of Education and members of the audience participated in an open dialogue and question and answer session afterward.

The plan is a "consolidation" because it is based on moving from three school sites to two.  It includes the eventual closing and sale of the Halsted Street School and an expansion of the Merriam Avenue School to house grades preK-8.

Scope of Work & Educational Program

Entire current middle school program will be offered with room for pK-8 growth
Improved scheduling, better equipped classrooms, larger core spaces (gym, cafeteria, library)
Compact design will minimize the overall costs and facilitate student movement
Middle level academic classes will be on separate floor from elementary classrooms
More on-site parking will allow better public access
Community space will allow health and social services to be brought directly into the school

Project Costs & Financial Analysis

Estimated project cost = $18,950,000
Compare this to costs to retrofit Halsted ($17.1M) or build a new middle school ($38.5M)
District will have enough debt capacity to cover costs, state debt service will provide $2.6M
Annual net property tax impact = $182 per $100,000 assessed value (includes 2016 bond refunding)

Timeline & Communication Plan

BOE is considering a referendum vote in September 2017
If approved by the public, new space would be ready for occupancy in September 2019
Communication continues through public presentations to key stakeholders, newsletters, social media, and traditional news media