Voters approve expansion at two Glouco school districts

Two rapidly growing Gloucester County school districts won voter approval Tuesday to embark on school construction and renovation projects.

Kingsway Regional High School District and the East Greenwich Township School District were among five districts that held bond referendums Tuesday and were the only two in which the question was successful, the New Jersey School Boards Association reported.

"We're very grateful that we now have permission to move forward and get the space we need," said East Greenwich Superintendent Joseph Conroy.

Both East Greenwich and Kingsway have been experiencing substantial enrollment increases that are projected to continue. Tuesday was East Greenwich's third attempt at getting voters' support for construction projects, and it was Kingsway's second.

"We are humbled by the community's support of this classroom-expansion project and grateful that our students will have the adequate space needed to be successful students at Kingsway," said Superintendent James J. Lavender.

In East Greenwich, there were two proposals. The first and larger of the two passed, allowing $22.5 million in construction and renovations at two elementary schools, with $6.4 million of that amount to be reimbursed by the state.

It will cost the owner of a home assessed at the township average of $170,000 an additional $264 in taxes. The failed proposal was for a $2.9 million project, including almost $575,000 from the state, for gymnasium and office construction.

Tuesday was Kingsway's second bid at approval for additions and renovations to the high school and middle school, which serve four communities. Of the $31.1 million project, nearly $8.5 million would be covered by state funds.

In East Greenwich, the owner of the home assessed at the average will pay an additional $140.60 in annual property taxes. Such a home in South Harrison, assessed at $352,658, will see a $196.50 increase. In Swedesboro, taxes on a $186,990 home will go up $112.56. A $179,287 home in Woolwich will have them increase $168.46.