Referendum FAQs

• Get state aid to pay some of the costs (individual projects included in the annual budget are not eligible for this aid).
• Complete projects in a few years with upfront funding.
• Spread the project's costs over time among all taxpayers (similar to how a homeowner finances a new roof or an addition with a home equity loan).

The Board of Education balances its mission to provide safe, functional, and effective learning environments with its responsibility to taxpayers. Identifying funding streams beyond the annual budget is an ideal way to achieve both goals.

A bond referendum would align with the district’s history of responsible fiscal planning. We propose upgrading our facilities beyond regular maintenance through bond funding, which provides state aid to cover a portion of the project costs if voters approve.

The West Essex Board of Education is committed to providing safe, functional, and effective learning environments now and into the future. However, the district’s aging facilities – some dating to the original construction (1960s for the high school and 1970s for the middle school) require significant upgrades that are beyond routine maintenance and outside the annual operating budget. A voter-approved referendum would allow the district to responsibly address these long-term facility needs with the help of state aid to offset a portion of the project costs.

The district’s architect has conducted a comprehensive facility assessment of the buildings, infrastructure, and outdoor spaces at both West Essex Middle School and West Essex High School. The needs identified in the assessment have been categorized by priority and will be considered for inclusion in the referendum. The projects will be presented in two questions. 

• Construct a two-floor addition at WEHS  
• Renovate WEHS media center 
• Renovate WEMS auditorium  
• Replace the lower walls and windows at WEHS  
• Remove the concrete trellis at WEMS  
• Update HVAC units at the HS and MS  
• Add turf and lights to the grass fields at WEMS  
• Replace selected exterior doors, upgrade hardware at WEHS and WEMS  
• Add security vestibules at the WEHS and WEMS main entrances 

• Replace stadium bleachers and press box 
• Replace selected interior doors and hardware

View Proposed Projects Page & Video

The Board of Education and District Administration finalized the scope of the referendum in May 2026. Learn more about the referendum projects and cost at the following links.

Proposed Project Page & Referendum Video

Tax Impact & Financing Details

Working with professional consultants, including the district’s architect, financial adviser, and bond counsel, the Board and administration carefully reviewed the facilities assessment and prioritized improvements that would meet the district’s most pressing needs. 

These needs include safety, functionality, educational impact, and long-term planning considerations. Eligibility for state aid that would reduce the taxpayers’ share of the project costs was also a factor in identifying priority projects.

Summer 2025 - The Board of Education identified the need to pursue a bond referendum as a means to generate upfront funds and secure state aid for critical facility improvements. 

Fall 2025 - District administration and the Board of Education, in partnership with the district architect, assessed facilities and planned a demographic study to ensure that long-term plans align with future needs.

Winter 2025-26 - District leadership continues to work with the architects, financial advisor and bond counsel to ensure that the plan upholds its fiscal responsibility to the community. 

Late Winter/Early Spring 2026 - Project applications will be sent to the New Jersey Department of Education for review and state aid determination. This mandatory state review will help determine the amount of state aid eligibility for proposed projects, and the estimated tax impact. This review can take up to six months to complete.

Early Summer 2026 - Upon completion of the state’s review, the Board of Education will receive a letter of eligibility with the state aid figures. The Board will review the funding and finalize the details of the ballot, including project scope and estimated tax impact. When the ballot is finalized, the district will launch a multi-faceted communications campaign to share the details of the proposal and engage with the entire community.

Fall 2026 - The vote will take place in the fall of 2026 (November 3).

An independent demographic study was conducted to analyze enrollment trends, population changes, and housing growth. The results were evaluated to help ensure that facility planning aligns with projected needs. The demographic study only looks five years ahead and takes into account housing developments that are approved by the towns’ planning boards. 

The demographic study is one of the tools used to help plan. In addition, the district has communicated with the Planning Boards in each town to monitor housing growth. Additional numbers from the New Jersey Department of Education were considered when determining the size of the addition and number of classrooms needed.  

The district’s enrollment is steady, and the information used to plan the addition indicates that 12 new classrooms and the additional learning spaces would be sufficient, even if there is an enrollment surge. 

Below is a copy of the results from the demographic study.

Demographic Study

Capital reserve is a savings tool created to pay for large expenses associated with capital repairs, renovations, and construction projects. These funds are separate from the district’s operating budget, which is used for day-to-day expenses.  

If the board scaled back the referendum and used funds from its capital reserve to pay for some of the projects, it would not benefit from state aid to help cover the cost of these projects. A referendum provides upfront funding and state aid to offset the project costs, leaving the district’s capital reserve for unexpected repairs.

The Board is only permitted to spend money on projects that are approved by voters. If bond proceeds remain after the projects are completed, that money would be used to lower the tax rate.

According to law, the Board is not permitted to spend one cent more on the projects (no matter the source of funds) without obtaining additional voter approval. With the help of financial consultants and architects who specialize in school projects, West Essex Regional School District has thoroughly researched the proposed projects, estimated their associated costs, and included a contingency amount in the estimated total. That cushion takes into account pricing changes that could occur if material costs or interest rates rise. If actual costs exceed what voters approved, the projects will have to be adjusted to fit within the budget. 

A reassessment, or revaluation, generally increases the tax base (total assessed value of all taxable properties) and can increase the assessed value of homes. However, even if the home’s value increases, the tax rate drops because the debt is spread across a higher total value of all properties. 

The estimated tax impact for the referendum is measured per $100 of the home's assessed value. As a result, the math balances out and does not significantly increase the tax impact, even if the home’s value goes up. 

Here’s an example - using rounded numbers - of how an assessment process results in the same bottom line: 

Before revaluation: 

• Average home assessed at $500,000 
• Debt service: $500,000 
• Tax base: $1,500,000,000 
• Tax impact per $100: $0.0333 
• Annual impact on average home: $167 

After revaluation: 

• Average home assessed at $600,000 
• Debt service: $500,000 
• Tax base: $1,800,000,000 
• Tax impact per $100: $0.0278 
• Annual impact on average home: $167

The West Essex Regional School District is committed to regular updates, public Board discussions, and clear communication as information becomes available. Transparency and community engagement remain guiding principles throughout this process.

Since August 2025, the district has been sharing detailed information with the public via the following channels:

• Public Board of Education meetings

• Referendum website

• Weekly Email blasts and newsletters, including to sending district and alumni families

• Facebook page

• Instagram page

• Information shared with sending district superintendents

• Information shared with local media outlets (including TAPInto West Essex and The Progress)

• Presentations at community events (Fairfield Senior Citizen BBQ, North Caldwell Picnic, back-to-school nights, sporting events, and more)

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by:

• Attending public Board of Education meetings

• Reviewing posted materials on the district’s Referendum Information Page, district website, and social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram

• Viewing our list of Referendum FAQs or emailing any questions you may have to vote@westex.org.

The bond referendum will appear as two questions on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Every vote counts, so your participation is important! There are several way you can cast your vote in this election, and we are happy to provide information regarding how to register, voting early in-person, requesting and submitting a mail-in ballot, and voting on election day. Visit our voting information page by clicking the button below.

Voting Information

Some of the projects included in the referendum cannot wait – they must be completed whether or not voters approve the referendum. Approval gives the district the added benefit of state aid to help cover a portion of eligible project costs. The district’s operating budget doesn’t have enough extra funds to cover the improvements needed at the pace that our high-achieving district will need them. 

Here’s what to expect if voters don’t approve the referendum: 

• No state aid toward eligible project costs 
• Projects would be done in stages, with total project costs coming from the annual budget as funds are available 
• Piecemeal repairs, which could cost more in the long run 
• Master schedule challenges and limitations due to space constraints at the high school
• High school teachers continue sharing classrooms and rotating throughout the day 
• Middle school students limited in use of the outdoor area due to the concrete trellis 
• Accessibility continues to be a challenge at the middle school auditorium, stadium bleachers and press box 
• Middle school auditorium remains without air conditioning and modern technology
• Visitor screening at both schools remains outside instead of in a security vestibule 
• Inefficient windows will remain on the older walls that are sinking into the ground at the high school

The district takes a proactive approach to maintenance; each year 10% of our annual budget is dedicated to maintenance. This approach allows us to focus on good stewardship of tax dollars because we fix and replace things before they break down and end up costing more in the long run (emergency repairs are much more expensive than regular maintenance, just like in your home). We are fortunate to have talented maintenance staff here in the district, which is a cost savings when repairs are needed. 

Over the past 12 years, we have prioritized items and made replacements and repairs through the annual budget, or when necessary, taken money from capital reserve to complete $12.4 million worth of projects. This strategy is fiscally responsible because it keeps tax increases to a minimum and keeps our budget focused on where it should be - programming that benefits our students and the overall community.