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Weekly Referendum Letter 5: School Safety Remains a Top Priority

Architectural rendering of a modern high school addition with red-trimmed windows, students, and bicycles beneath leafy trees on a sunny day.

Dear West Essex School Community,

Providing safe and secure schools remains one of the district’s highest priorities, and the proposed referendum reflects that commitment. Several projects included in the proposal are designed to strengthen school security while maintaining welcoming and supportive learning environments for our students and staff.

School safety and security projects qualify for the maximum level of state aid. As a result, approximately one-third of the eligible project costs would be covered by the state, helping to reduce the impact on local taxpayers. This state aid is available only with voter approval of the referendum.

Proposed upgrades include secure entrance vestibules at both schools, replacement of aging exterior and interior doors, updated door hardware, and keyless access systems fully integrated with the district’s security network.

These enhancements reflect current school safety best practices and would provide staff with greater control over building access while strengthening the district’s ability to respond effectively in an emergency. They would also allow designated areas of our schools to be secured quickly when necessary.

Maintaining safe, secure, and welcoming schools is essential to supporting student learning and sustaining our community’s confidence in its school facilities.

Please visit our Referendum page to learn more about the proposal and its projects.

Thank you for your continued partnership in education.

Sincerely,

Damion Macioci, Superintendent of Schools
Maryadele Wojtowicz, Board of Education President

Learn More at www.westex.org/referendum

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The foreground displays the current main entrance of a school building with a sign overhead, while the background features text about a school district bond referendum and information about WEMS.
Two images of a school's main entrance are shown, with the left image featuring a covered walkway and the right image showing a close-up of the doors and a text box detailing their condition.
A modern school entrance vestibule with brick accents and large windows is shown, with people walking towards it under a clear sky.
Two students stand under a modern, covered walkway leading to a school entrance with a textured brick facade.
A %22current%22 image of an old door handle is shown in the foreground, contrasted with %22proposed%22 modern door hardware in the background, all under a banner for a school district bond referendum.