$44 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS – OF WHICH THE STATE PAYS $7.3 MILLION

QUESTION 1 -

Project Costs: $23.2 million
State Aid: $7.2 million

Facilities and Security Improvements Districtwide Would Benefit Every Student

If Question 1 is approved by voters, the owner of an average assessed home in Somerville would see a net tax DECREASE of $12 per month.

QUESTION 2

Project Costs: $20.8 million
State Aid: $168,500

Transforming our High School and Athletics

If Question 1 and 2 are approved by voters, the owner of an average assessed home in Somerville would see a net tax INCREASE of $14 per month.

Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 also passes.

NET TAX IMPACT EXPLAINED

Net tax impact means that the average assessed home in Somerville ($275,734) currently pays a portion of their tax bill for school debt from previous referenda. Those payments are gradually declining through 2029, slightly overlapping with new debt payments if both questions of this referendum are approved. 

The difference between the current expiring debt and the new debt is a DECREASE for Question 1 and an INCREASE for Question 1 and 2 combined.

Branchburg will pay their fair share of interest on debt through tuition. Branchburg’s high school students are an integral part of the Somerville District; we have a long-standing send-receive relationship. Branchburg pays tuition to Somerville Public Schools, which changes based on the number of students they send to the high school each year. 

STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING

The Board of Education worked closely with district administrators and architects to thoroughly evaluate district needs to determine which projects qualify for state aid and enhance the student experience.

Through good financial planning, our community can decide whether to continue investing in the schools at a similar level to what was done in the past.

SIGNIFICANT STATE AID

Many projects are eligible for state aid when approved through a bond referendum. In Somerville’s case, Question 1 receives $7.2 million state aid to cover a portion of the $23.2 million in total costs and Question 2 receives $168,500 in state aid to cover a portion of the $20.8 million in total costs.

That’s money Somerville residents, as well as every other New Jersey residents already paid to the state through taxes. Only communities that approve a bond referendum have access to that specific type of state aid. We either receive those funds through bond borrowing through an approved referendum, or we lose access to it!

ASSESSED VALUE

Assessed value is used to calculate how much a person pays for taxes. In today's market, a home's assessed value is typically lower than the market value.

Click here to check your assessed value
Questions about the proposal? Email vote@somervilleschools.org