Residents asked to vote in Marlboro school referendum

On Sept. 29, 2009, the Marlboro K-8 School District is asking residents to vote on a referendum to add six new classrooms to the Frank Defino Central Elementary School. The cost of the construction would be paid for with $2 million of unused funds that were originally approved by voters in a 2000 referendum for $41.9 million to build the Marlboro Early Learning Center and the Marlboro Memorial Middle School.

However, in order for the school district to use these remaining funds on a different project, state procedures require that voters approve the money's revised usage through a new referendum vote. Revised usage can only be for a "brick and mortar" project; the money cannot be allocated for items such as salaries, instructional materials, or educational programs.

The availability of the previously approved unused funds provides an unprecedented opportunity for the school district to propose a referendum that does not impact Marlboro residents' property taxes in any way whatsoever.

The six classrooms are intended to replace four classrooms that are currently housed in two modular "double" trailers erected almost 50 years ago in the back of Defino School.

Due to the age of the modular units, they are in constant need of repair. Maintaining the foundation and siding that continue to deteriorate and fixing roofs that regularly spring new leaks are constant challenges.

The interior space requires refurbishing as well, including replacement of worn, ripped carpeting and damaged baseboard heating units. These repairs cost tens of thousands of dollars each year, clearly not the most fiscally responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Currently, every classroom in the district is being used. The proposed new construction would add a total of two more classrooms in the district, space that would be necessary in order to address the state's mandate that all school districts must offer full-day preschool education to those children living in town who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

In the near future, if we are unable to build these extra classrooms, class sizes in other grades would need to be increased in order to free up rooms for these preschool children.

Finally, the modular trailers are not attached to the Defino School itself. Students are currently required to walk outside in all kinds of weather in order to access these classrooms, the only district school where this condition exists.

This situation increases safety and security concerns associated with unattached modular classrooms. The new classrooms would be added onto the main school building, thereby reducing overall safety risks because students would no longer have to walk between buildings to attend classes.

Let me reiterate that should this referendum be approved by the voters, there will be no related property tax increase whatsoever to Marlboro residents. It is anticipated that construction will be completed and classrooms ready for use in the 2010-11 school year. Once the six-classroom addition is finished, the modular trailers will be demolished. If the referendum is not approved, each property owner could receive a one-time refund of approximately $6 for a house assessed at $100,000.

The referendum vote will be held on Sept. 29, 2009, from noon to 9 p.m. I urge everyone in the Marlboro community to exercise his or her right to vote in what I can only describe as a win-win scenario. Property taxes will remain unchanged while the school district and Marlboro children will benefit from new construction that increases classroom space, resolves a safety and security concern, and allows us to redirect money currently spent on repairs to other expenditures that positively affect classroom instruction.
David C. Abbott, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Marlboro K-8 School District
Marlboro