Proposed Projects

Explore the Proposed Projects & Get Ready to Vote On or Before Tuesday, November 3

West Essex Regional School District buildings are well-maintained, but the time has come for us to replace and upgrade the systems and structures that serve our high-achieving district.

Some of our facilities date back to the original construction and require significant upgrades that are beyond routine maintenance and outside the annual operating budget.

Voter approval would fund facilities improvements at both WEHS and WEMS to enhance learning spaces and modernize schools. State aid, which is available with voter approval, would offset a portion of the eligible project costs and reduce the tax impact.

Referendum Website Homepage

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Project Breakdown by Ballot Question

Question 1 (Q1)

Question 1 covers upgrades to instructional spaces, infrastructure, and security improvements.

Two-Floor Addition & Media Center (WEHS)
Auditorium Renovation (WEMS)
HVAC & Infrastructure Updates (WEHS & WEMS)
Field Turf & Lighting Upgrades
Security Vestibules & Exterior Doors (WEHS & WEMS)

$42M in improvements
— $8.3M state aid**

Question 2 (Q2)*

Question 2 covers additional outdoor and security updates.

Stadium Bleachers & Press Box
Interior Doors & Hardware (WEHS & WEMS)

$7.5M in improvements
— $1M state aid**

Two Important Clarifications About Both Ballot Questions (Q1 + Q2)!

*The projects included in Ballot Question 2 (Q2) can only move forward if voters approve Ballot Question 1 (Q1). In other words, the $7.5 million in improvements outlined in Q2 cannot be completed unless Q1 is approved by voters.

**Both ballot questions would receive a combined $9.3M in state aid (i.e., $8.3M for Question 1 and $1M for Question 2). However, that state aid is only available with voter approval. Therefore, if voters do not approve these questions, West Essex would not be eligible to receive the $9.3M in state aid.

Learn More About The Ballots

Projects Included in Ballot Question 1 (Q1)

WEHS TWO-FLOOR CLASSROOM ADDITION (Q1)

Project Details

The addition would not require hiring new staff members.
23 out of 43 classrooms are currently shared by 37 teachers, creating scheduling challenges and limiting student class requests due to room availability.
More classrooms would open up designated spaces for each department, including special education.
More space would support growing programs, small-group instruction, in-school restorative practices, and quiet rooms for study halls and required testing accommodations.

Photos & Renderings

A low, single-story school building with blue and red window panels stands beyond a leaf-strewn lawn and curving walkway under an overcast sky, giving a quiet, empty feel. — Proposed addition location.

Rendering of a modern high school addition with tan walls, red window bands and broad glass; students walk and bike beneath leafy trees. — Proposed two-floor addition - outside.

Architectural rendering of a modern high school corridor, where students gather by modular lounge seating and a service counter beneath bold school graphics. — Proposed two-floor addition - inside.

WEHS MEDIA CENTER & JOURNALISM LAB RENOVATION (Q1)

Project Details

The media center is original to the building and features outdated furniture, carpet, and setup .
The renovation would transform the media center into a modernized space to foster dynamic learning through teamwork and problem solving with movable walls and furniture for flexible usage.
A new journalism lab connected to the media center would replace the small room that students currently use and give students more space for hands-on experience with updated technology in a true newsroom environment.

Photos & Renderings

A quiet library biography section features tall bookcases, wooden tables and chairs, and a “BIOGRAPHY” sign above the shelves, creating a calm study space. — Current WEHS media center.

Bright architectural rendering of a modern high school media center, where students study among bookshelves and computers in a calm, window-filled space. — Proposed WEHS media center.

A bright high school journalism classroom with students working at computers and tables, newsroom displays, modern lighting, and bold red flooring. — Proposed WEHS media center journalism lab.

WEMS AUDITORIUM RENOVATION (Q1)

Project Details

The auditorium is original to the building (1970s), serves as the main hub for events, and lacks accessibility features, modern audio/visual equipment, and air conditioning.
The proposed renovation reflects the quality of programming; meets today's accessibility standards; adds air conditioning; and upgrades the lighting, audio/visual equipment, control booth, and seating.

Photos & Renderings

An empty auditorium with a wide stage and blank projection screen, rows of red theater seats, and warm lights creating a quiet, anticipatory mood. — Current WEMS auditorium.

Renovated middle school auditorium with curved rows of red-and-black seats facing a stage, projection screen, and lectern; quiet, modern setting. — Proposed WEMS auditorium.

A renovated middle school auditorium viewed from the front, with rows of red seats, stair aisles, a few people, and bright modern lighting. — Proposed WEMS auditorium.

EXTERIOR & HVAC UPDATES (Q1)

Project Details

The original exterior walls at WEHS have poor insulation and are sinking due to deterioration over time. Replacing the panels under the windows with brick would better protect the building from the elements.
The trellis in the beloved WEMS courtyard is showing signs of wear after years of exposure to the elements and restricts full usage of the outdoor area. Repair and maintenance would be costly, therefore removal is recommended.
New HVAC in selected WEHS classrooms would be replaced, with one-third of the costs covered by state aid.
New rooftop units to serve shared spaces at WEMS, would replace those at the end of their lifespan, improve comfort for students, staff members and visitors, and eliminate the risk of costly breakdowns.

Photos & Renderings

A rust-streaked white metal panel stands beside a brick wall, with melting snow and patchy grass below; the scene feels weathered and quiet. — Current WEHS exterior walls.

Open industrial HVAC unit with its service panel removed, exposing dusty filters, pipes, wiring, and internal components; paperwork rests on top, giving a maintenance-workshop feel. — Current classroom HVAC unit.

Looking upward at a long concrete ceiling grid trellis that is weathered and dirty, supported by square columns; the stark, weathered architecture feels industrial and austere. — Current WEMS courtyard trellis.

WEHS & WEMS SECURITY VESTIBULES & BUILDING ACCESS (Q1)

Project Details

New secure entrance vestibules across both schools would better manage visitor access and align with current school safety best practices.
Keyless access systems and updated door hardware would integrate directly into the district’s security network.
System updates would allow emergency responders to quickly isolate and secure portions of the building if needed.

Photos & Renderings

Several black-framed glass doors line a closed storefront beneath a metal canopy, between brick pillars; the scene feels quiet and empty. — Current WEHS entrance.

A quiet school main entrance with red “MAIN ENTRANCE” lettering above glass doors, concrete columns, and autumn leaves scattered across the pavement. — Current WEMS entrance.

A welcoming high school vestibule with a broad steel-and-glass canopy, brick columns, and students walking toward the entrance in soft daylight. — Proposed secure vestibule for WEHS.

A modern middle school entrance with a vestibule, brick walls, large windows, and landscaped shrubs; students approach beneath a “Main Entrance” sign on a bright day. — Proposed secure vestibule for WEMS.

ATHLETIC FIELD TURF & LIGHTING UPDATES (Q1)

Project Details

These grass fields are used by every student for physical education and shared by multiple extra-curricular programs (including sports programs, marching band, and more).
The fields currently experience poor drainage and frequent flooding; they need downtime between uses.
A new turf field would be lined for multiple uses, have lighting to expand usability, reduced flooding and event cancellations, require no down time between uses and provide a potential for rental revenue.

Photos & Renderings

A worn soccer field with patchy grass and bare dirt fills the foreground; an empty white goal stands before autumn trees, creating a quiet, neglected feel. — Current grass fields.

A broad, worn soccer field with faded white lines and a small goal sits before a long school building; autumn trees create a calm, overcast scene. — Current grass fields.

Aerial rendering of a forest-surrounded sports complex with school buildings, parking lots, marked soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and a red running track. — Proposed turf field.

Projects Included in Ballot Question 2 (Q2)

STADIUM BLEACHERS, PRESS BOX & INTERIOR HARDWARE (Q2)

STADIUM BLEACHERS, PRESS BOX & INTERIOR HARDWARE (Q2)

Project Details

The current home and visitor stadium bleachers are at the end of their useful lifespan and lack modern accessibility features like ramps and railings.
The existing press box lacks insulation and a staircase to the second floor, with its roof, windows, and siding all at the end of their lifespan.
Replacing the home and visitor bleachers would bring them in line with today’s accessibility standards. A new press box would have a roof, windows, siding, and insulation to protect it from the elements and improved access to the second floor with a staircase.
Replacing original interior doors and updating dated hardware with card access allows them to be tied directly into the security system, including restrooms.

Photos & Renderings

Empty outdoor bleachers with red sides and weathered metal steps beside a leaf-strewn walkway, creating a quiet autumn scene in a park or sports venue. — Current stadium bleachers.

An unfinished press box with exposed wooden framing, electrical panel, pipes, and equipment beside a white West Essex door; functional, industrial feel. — Current press box.

Architectural rendering of modern outdoor stadium bleachers beside a running track, with a red booth, leafy trees, and people under a dramatic cloudy sky; calm, inviting scene. — Proposed stadium bleachers and press box.

Further Details About Our Proposed Projects

Referendum Presentation & Recordings

View Our Referendum Slideshow & Meeting Recordings

At the May 11th and September 28th meetings, the West Essex Board of Education and District Administration provided a comprehensive presentation detailing our bond referendum and the proposed projects listed on this page. Click the links below to view the complete referendum presentation, meeting recordings, and our demographic study.

September 28^th Referendum Slideshow Presentation

September 28^th Meeting Recording

May 11^th Meeting Recording

Estimated Monthly Tax Impact

Demographic Study

Learn More About Our Demographic Study

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

If the referendum is approved by voters, what is the proposed project timeline?

More Helpful Resources

Learn More About Our Bond Referendum & Prepare to Cast Your Vote On or Before Nov 3

Updates and resources have been shared on our referendum website in order to help voters make an informed decision in the November 3rd General Election. Explore the links below for more.

Referendum Website Homepage