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Kingsway voters reject $31.1 million for upgrades at 2 schools

Voters in the Kingsway Regional School District rejected a proposal in a referendum held Tuesday to allow $31.1 million in additions and renovations to the high and middle schools, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Voters in the Kingsway Regional School District rejected a proposal in a referendum held Tuesday to allow $31.1 million in additions and renovations to the high and middle schools, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Elsewhere in Gloucester County, projects to improve school buildings were approved in National Park and Woodbury Heights.

James J. Lavender, Kingsway superintendent, said the money would have been used for 41 classrooms to handle a growing student body. He said it was likely the district would resort to trailers and make budget cuts to afford them.

"I'm disappointed for the kids because our enrollment pressures are significant, and our kids are living this everyday. It will continue to get worse," Lavender said.

Of the total project, $8.5 million would have been reimbursible by the state. It would have also meant tax increases.

In East Greenwich, taxes would have gone up $157 a year for property assessed at the township average of $169,460. In South Harrison, where the average assessment is $352,887, taxes would have risen $175. In Swedesboro, the average assessment is $96,105 and the tax would have climbed $113. In Woolwich, with an average assessment of $181,402, taxes would have gone up $154, according to district figures.

National Park School District voters approved spending $961,000 to replace the roof of its elementary school. Of that amount, $599,550 is eligible for state reimbursement.

The owner of property assessed at the district average of $84,453 will pay $38 more in taxes, according to district officials.

The Woodbury Heights School District won the go-ahead for $629,194 in renovations to its elementary school, including work on the roof and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Of that, $251,678 qualifies for state reimbursement.

Taxes will rise $23 a year for a property assessed at the average of $142,911, district business administrator Scott Henry said.

These proposed projects are among eight that were voted on around the state. They totaled about $194 million, according to the school boards association. Six passed.