Voters in a series of New Jersey special school elections today approved most construction and funding proposals, though several districts rejected tax increases or capital projects, but in the state’s premier school race in Montclair, where voters were asked to approve $12.6 million to cover a budget deficit, the public question remains too close to call.
With 100% of the Election Day machine votes and most vote-by-mail ballots counted, the Yes votes in Montclair lead by an extraordinarily narrow 80-vote margin, 4,783 to 4,703. Over 300 provisional ballots remain uncounted, along some vote-by-mail ballots from drop boxes that were deposited after the last pickup – but before 8 PM – and late-arriving mail-in ballots.
The largest approvals came in Berkeley Heights and Mahwah, where voters approved major multi-school renovation plans.
In Berkeley Heights, voters approved both ballot questions: a $21,227,001 proposal for security, technology, site, and building upgrades across district schools, passed 1,670–696. The project is expected to receive $8,298,800 in state aid, and a $29,125,969 follow-up plan for HVAC replacements, roofing work, electrical upgrades, and classroom renovations, contingent on the first question, also passed 1,584–775. The district expects $11,566,387 in state aid for that work.
In Mahwah, voters approved a $73,756,733 facilities referendum covering six schools. The measure passed 1,952–1,780, with a second ballot question authorizing additional related improvements passing 2,155–1,510. The project is expected to receive $29,502,693 in state aid.
Several smaller districts also approved capital improvements:
Norwood voters approved a $6,107,478 renovation and addition project at Norwood Public School, 408–232, with $1,846,010 in state aid anticipated.
Seaside Heights approved a $4,445,415 renovation and systems upgrade at Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School, 88–64, with $1,778,166 in state aid.
In the Somerset Hills Regional School District—serving Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack-Gladstone—voters approved a $38,024,257 facilities plan covering Bernards High School, Bernardsville Middle School, and Bedwell Elementary School, 895–391. The district expects $13,346,881 in state aid.
Voters in Ho-Ho-Kus approved a $3.1 million tax levy increase intended to maintain programs, staffing, and services for the 2026–27 school year. The measure passed, 1,001–742, making the increase permanent.
Three proposals failed:
In Neptune City, voters rejected an $8,446,700 project to replace roofs, upgrade HVAC and electrical systems, and renovate restrooms at Woodrow Wilson School, 286–219.
A $9,029,717 renovation and addition project in Netcong failed, 276–173.
Robbinsville voters rejected a $5,031,476 tax levy increase intended to preserve staff positions and programs, voting 2,022–1,503 against the measure.
Results were not immediately available Tuesday night for the referendum in Egg Harbor Township, where voters were deciding on a $35.6 million proposal to fund improvements at five schools.
Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act of 2000, the state reimburses districts for at least 40% of eligible school construction costs through annual debt service aid, significantly reducing the local taxpayer share for approved capital projects.
