Monday, September 24, 2012
Polls are busier than past school board elections, workers say.
After months of debate, today Westfield residents have the chance to vote for or against the $16.9 million bond referendum proposed by the Westfield Board of Education that would fund two multi-million dollar capital projects—district-wide roof repairs and a lighted turf field—bundled into one bond referendum. While turnout has been mixed, with voters coming out in large numbers at McKinley School and fewer at Jefferson, poll workers agreed that the overall response has been greater than for past school board elections. While the bond referendum has been polarizing, poll workers unanimously agreed voters have been "polite and courteous." James Zavetz, working the polls at McKinley School, said as of noon, voter turnout was "very high," …
Westfield resident says "By voting NO, you will be telling the BOE to show courage and come back to us in April or September 2013 with separate bond referendums."
- OPINION
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Monday, September 24, 2012
I think we are all missing the point with regard to the upcoming September 24th Westfield bond referendum vote. It’s not really whether we should or should not have a lit field or a turf field, or both. It’s not really about whether we need to have all of our school roofs simultaneously repaired – and whether the “repairs” are to ensure a safe roof above our child’s head or so it can support solar panels. No, it’s really about whether the taxpaying residents of this town want to allow the board of education (BOE) to set a new precedent. That precedent would be to allow a “nice to have” to be bundled together with a supposed “need to have.” I have been reading the letters to the editor, attending meetings, monitoring blogs and talking to…
Mark Friedman says he'll be voting "yes" today.
- OPINION
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Monday, September 24, 2012
On Monday, September 24th, as a resident of Westfield, you will be asked to vote on a Bond referendum that would authorize the Board of Education to replace a large portion of roofs over our buildings and to build a lighted turf field with bleachers at the high school field. The total cost of the project is $16.9 million, excluding interest. As a resident and a taxpayer of Westfield, I am asking you to join me in getting out to vote. I will be voting YES! I have been on the school board since April 2011 and I ran with the intention of helping to make change in the District that would benefit all of our constituents. My kids are now out of the schools yet my focus remains being sure that we leave a lasting legacy of academics, community, …
Friday, September 21, 2012
Facilities chair says it is not unusual to have multiple projects in one bond referendum.
- OPINION
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Friday, September 21, 2012
Some residents have questioned why the September 24 School Bond Referendum to support new roofs and a turf field is one question on the ballot. First, let me explain that this is not unusual. Four out of the last six bond referendum elections in the Westfield schools have been for multiple projects under ONE QUESTION. On September 24, the Princeton Public Schools are holding a bond referendum election with ONE QUESTION, which also includes multiple facilities projects (roofing and turf as well). In my research I have found many districts in New Jersey that have one question on their bond referendum and it includes fields and other facility projects. But that is not the driving factor for one question in Westfield. Both projects have …
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Resident says, "While sports are important to their development our primary concern must be on their scholastic achievement."
- OPINION
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
As a Westfield taxpayer, parent of three young children and owner of a home that looks out onto the proposed lit turf field I urge a NO vote on September 24th’s Bundled Bond (needed school roofs/luxury of plastic fields). Plastic turf fields are being built across the country – one of the Board of Education’s arguments for investing $3.2 million of our tax dollars. That does not make it a sound investment. In fact many communities find that in addition to the high up-front costs, the recurring costs are much higher then initially promised by planners and the plastic grass industry salespeople. Either the BOE is not being truthful and they will be renting out these fields and building the concession stands, bathrooms, locker rooms, sound …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Westfield BOE will hold one more public meeting before Sept. 24 vote.
In 12 days, residents of Westfield will have the opportunity to make one decision that will determine the fate of two separate multi-million dollar capital projects. Though it remains unclear whether the public will vote to approve or deny the much-discussed bond referendum that will be on the ballot on Sept. 24, the answer does seem to be becoming clearer as the crucial date approaches. Since the Board’s decision in June to include funding for both district roof repairs and a lighted turf field installation as a single bond proposal, the public outcry has been loud. Some members said they would have preferred to decide each project on its own merits. Taxpayers contrasted the roof repair – almost unanimously viewed as an urgent necessity…
Friday, September 7, 2012
The meeting planned for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 will now be part of the Sept. 11 BOE meeting.
- SCHOOLS
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Friday, September 7, 2012
The Westfield school district announced that there has been a change to the public meeting scheduled for the evening Wednesday, Sept. 19 regarding the upcoming special election to be held Monday, Sept. 24. The bond referendum discussion will now take place during the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The meeting will take place in the Roosevelt School cafeteria to allow for ample seating as space is limited to approximately 50 people in the Board Room of the Elm Street building. The evening's agenda will also include a report on the district’s technology initiative. The morning meeting regarding the bond referendum will take place as scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19 in the …
Monday, August 27, 2012
The public will vote on the bond referendum Monday, Sept. 24.
The Westfield school district will hold two public meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 19 regarding the upcoming bond referendum. The first will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the Roosevelt Intermediate School auditorium and the second will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Edison Intermediate School auditorium. The capital projects proposed through the $16.9 million bond referendum include replacement and repair of the majority of the school district’s roofs, which the Westfield Board of Education maintains have exceeded their life expectancy, and the installation of a lighted turf field at Westfield High School. On Aug. 15, the BOE announced it created a website, www.westfieldnjk12.org/bond2012, which includes the following sections: Summary of the bond…
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The site includes a summary of the bond proposal, Q&A, voting information and more.
- BACK TO SCHOOL
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The following is a press release from the Westfield Public School District: A new website, www.westfieldnjk12.org/bond2012, has been established by the Westfield Public School District to inform residents of the upcoming bond referendum to be held Monday, September 24, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The capital projects which are being proposed through the bond referendum include replacement and repair of the majority of the school district’s roofs which have exceeded their life expectancy, and the installation of turf and lights at the Westfield High School field to provide a multi-purpose, safer playing field. Only capital projects can be considered for a bond,” explained Board President and Finance Chair, Richard Mattessich. “The Board has …
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Westfield High School
550 Dorian Rd, Westfield, NJ
/articles/westfield-board-of-ed-creates-website-addressing-sept-24-bond-referendum
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Single bond referendum will appear on ballot on Sept. 24
The Board of Education last night accepted the recommendation of its Facilities Committee to include the roof repair and lighted turf field installation projects as one proposal as part of a bond referendum ballot to be voted on this fall. As a result of the Board’s action, voters will make one decision that will determine the fate of two separate multi-million dollar projects. The Board had previously approved bonds referendums for long-sought roof repairs on a dozen district buildings as well as a lighted turf field to be installed at Westfield High School. The two projects carry a total estimated price-tag of more than $16 million. The single bond referendum, which was approved by a 5-3 vote, will appear on the September 24 ballot. Jane…
Old facilities and fields
10:51 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
In Springfield, after years of debate and wrangling, a turf field complex for shared municipal and school district use at Jonathan Dayton High broke ground this month and should be operational by fall 2013. more ›