Weekly Referendum Letter 3: Maximizing State Aid

Dear West Essex School Community,

One important benefit of using a bond referendum to fund school improvement projects is state aid. Every New Jersey taxpayer contributes to the revenue that helps support school improvement projects. However, districts can only access these funds if voters approve a referendum. That means every time a district passes a referendum in New Jersey, your tax dollars help pay for it. 
 
We are pleased to share that the New Jersey Department of Education has approved approximately $9.3 million in state aid for both questions being proposed by West Essex. This includes $8.3 million for Question 1 and $1 million for Question 2. This funding helps reduce the amount that must be financed by local taxpayers, while allowing the district to complete important facility improvements. 
 
Without voter approval, our district would continue paying for eligible improvements entirely through local funding, while other communities receive state assistance for similar projects. Although not every project qualifies for state aid, West Essex has an opportunity to bring significant tax dollars back to our communities and offset the local cost of the proposed improvements. 
 
The estimated monthly tax impact for Question 1 is $21 in Essex Fells, $15 in Fairfield, $22 in North Caldwell, and $15 in Roseland based on the average assessed home in each municipality.  

If Question 2 is also approved, the additional estimated monthly impact would be $4 in Essex Fells, $3 in Fairfield, $4 in North Caldwell, and $3 in Roseland.  

The estimated tax impact is based on the average assessed home, which is: $947,342 for Essex Fells; $530,788 for Fairfield; $800,484 for North Caldwell; and $639,995 for Roseland. Assessed value is different and typically less than market value.  

Additional information about the proposed projects, state aid, estimated tax impact, and how to determine your home’s assessed value is available on this webpage. 
 
Thank you for staying informed. 

Sincerely,

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

Learn More at www.westex.org/referendum