Board of Education considers referendum

VERNON-On Thursday, July 28, the Vernon Township Board of Education will present additional information about a proposed $13-million bond referendum to build a swimming pool at the high school as well as pay for renovations to other high-school facilities and to two elementary schools. Many of the projects involve athletic facilities at the high school, although renovating and expanding the school's auditorium and upgrading its lighting and sound equipment are also included. The proposal, which is still being developed, does not include new classroom space. "The high school is over 30 years old, and given how heavily school and community groups use the auditorium, the track and the stadium, the upgrades are necessary," said Superintendent Anthony Macerino. "The district auditor is working at this time on preparing estimated local school tax impact information, which will be helpful to the board of education in determining whether to proceed with a referendum," he went on. Already voicing his opposition to the plan is Jeff Blank, who plans to run for a seat on the township council in November on the Democratic ticket. "Taxes already are way too high, and the people can't take much more," he said. Macerino said the projects would increase property values. "Such has been the case with other communities housing either a high school or a community pool," he said. As outlined by Macerino, the bond n if it goes to a vote and is approved n would provide $7.5 million to build the new swimming pool. Vernon has long had a championship swimming program, and its swim teams are fed by swimming clubs in its lake communities. But it does not have its own pool, and the team travels to the Sussex County Technical School in Sparta for practices and meets. "With the n umber of championship swim teams that the high school has had, the benefits of a swimming physical education component, the fact that Vernon Township has approximately 12 lake communities, the district feels that VTHS is an ideal location for a swimming pool," Macerino said. The superintendent added that the pool would be available to the entire community and would especially benefit senior citizens and the disabled. Other athletic items in the proposed bond include: $500,000 for a 400-meter, eight-lane, synthetic unning track; $900,000 for an all-weather playing field for lacrosse, soccer, football and field hockey; $280,000 for new, expanded bleachers and a press box; $90,000 for field lighting; $250,000 to rebuild the school's four tennis courts and add two more; and $70,000 to replace and extend the tennis court retaining wall. The grade school projects would cost a total of nearly $900,000. One project would move the Rolling Hills Elementary School office to the front of the building to enhance security. A similar project to relocated the office at Walnut Hill Elementary School is proposed along with construction of a canopy over the school's entrance. "Should the referendum take place and be approved by the voters, we understand that approximately 42 percent of the mortgage amount would be eligible for debt-service state aid," said Macerino. The July 28 meeting will take place at 8 p.m. in Lounsberry Hollow Middle School, 30 Sammis Road.