Cedar Grove Voters Approve $62.2M School Referendum

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — Cedar Grove voters approved both questions in a $62.2 million bond referendum Tuesday, Sept. 15, according to unofficial results from Essex County.

Question 1 passed with 1,460 yes votes, or 73.11 percent, compared with 537 no votes. Question 2 received 1,345 yes votes, or 67.93 percent, while 635 voters opposed it. All 10 districts were reporting in Tuesday night’s update.

The Cedar Grove School District says the plan includes $24.9 million in state aid, covering 40 percent of the improvements. Voter approval was required to access that aid.

The first proposal calls for AC upgrades and partial roof restoration at North End and South End, HVAC replacement and roof work at the middle school, and HVAC replacement, partial roof restoration and science classroom renovations at the high school. The district estimates it will cost $32 per month for an average home assessed at $776,900.

The second proposal, described as “More Space by Re-Opening LRP School,” includes an elevator for ADA compliance, site work, an access drive, classroom upgrades, music and art room renovations, HVAC work, window replacement, restroom upgrades and improvements to the fire alarm, security and public-address systems. Its estimated cost for the average assessed home is $21 per month.

The district said the referendum would provide upfront funding for “long-lasting improvements” to its school buildings.

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