LACEY Voters have approved a $28,873,500 school bond referendum that district officials say will finally address long-standing roof failures and aging HVAC systems across all six schools. The measure appeared on the November 4 ballot after the Board of Education unanimously authorized it in July, and its passage marks a significant reversal from the much larger referendum defeated earlier this year. An analysis of the unofficial results of the election published by the Ocean County Clerk as of November 12 provides insight into the outcome. The records show that 13, 233 of Lacey’s 24, 429 registered voters cast a ballot on the question, with 7, 498 voting “yes” and 5, 735 voting “no.” The referendum passed with roughly 57 percent support, and just over half of all registered voters weighed in on the proposal. The result was close in total participation to the Township Committee race, which saw about 13, 450 individuals cast votes, indicating that most residents who turned out for local races also chose to vote on the bond issue. An estimated 217 voters passed over the ballot question. “The Lacey Township School District is thrilled to announce the successful passage of its November 4, 2025 facilities bond referendum,” shared district officials in a prepared statement. “Voters approved the measure by a significant margin of 1, 763 votes, authorizing $28,873,500 in critical infrastructure and capital improvements across all six district schools.” Acting Superintendent William Zylinski described the outcome as a clear expression of community confidence. “We are deeply grateful for the resounding support shown by the Lacey Township community,” he said. “This is not just a vote for infrastructure; it is a clear statement of support for the safety, efficiency, and future of our learning environments. The approval by a margin of 1, 763 votes demonstrates a community commitment to maintaining excellent schools.” The district emphasized that approval secures approximately $11. 5 million in state debt service aid funding that would have been unavailable had the referendum failed. Officials reiterated that the aid, combined with the maturation of older debt, means the district does not project a debt-service tax increase for residents. “This aid, combined with the strategic timing of the new bond coinciding with the maturity of previous debt, ensures that the district can undertake these essential, long-lasting projects with no projected debt service tax increase to our residents,” the district said in its statement. School officials also thanked voters for taking time to understand the proposal, noting, “We now shift our focus entirely to execution, and we look forward to moving swiftly into the bonding and construction phases to deliver on the promises made to our students, staff, and community.” The approval stands in striking contrast to the defeated three-question, $93. 5 million referendum put before voters in March. That earlier proposal included not only roof and HVAC work but also gym renovations, athletic facilities, extensive infrastructure upgrades, and a synthetic turf field. Opponents to both the March and current referendum argued the district had neglected building maintenance for years and accused officials of seeking an overextended financial commitment. Several critics, including members of the group Lacey Citizens for Responsible Government, also challenged the district’s messaging about tax impacts and raised concerns about transparency. District leaders countered throughout the year that the financial strain was the result of severe S-2 state aid reductions, not overspending. They also maintained that deferring major projects would only magnify long-term costs and eliminate the chance for the state to pay 40 percent of the debt service. In the same election that approved the bond measure, Lacey voters also ushered in significant change on the Board of Education. None of the three winners, Meg Forney, Brandon Hurley, and Steven Gouin, were incumbents. Their arrival on the nine-member board comes at a pivotal moment, as the district prepares for an extensive construction timeline and a new member must soon be appointed to fill the vacancy created by Scott Peters’ resignation earlier this year. With voter approval secured, the district will now begin the bonding process and move toward construction. As previously reported, multiple schools have been dealing with chronic roof leaks, including instances where buckets placed in hallways collected water during storms. HVAC systems in several buildings are nearing the end of their life cycle, raising concerns about efficiency, reliability, and overall climate control. According to earlier district presentations and prior Board-approved plans, work will be managed by Settembrino Architects, the firm previously contracted to guide the project.
https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/southern-ocean/voters-pass-28-8m-school-bond-in-lacey/