West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 1 — $41,926,384 school improvements (Essex County)

What it does

The Board of Education of the West Essex Regional School District in the County of Essex, New Jersey (the "Board") is authorized to (a) undertake various improvements, renovations, and upgrades at West Essex High School, including but not limited to the construction of a twostory addition and a new security vestibule, renovations to the Media Center, partial window replacement, structural upgrades, and various HVAC upgrades, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment, and any site work; (b) undertake various improvements, renovations, and upgrades at West Essex Middle School, including but not limited to a new security vestibule, the removal of an existing concrete trellis, various renovations to the cafeteria courtyard, the installation of a turf field, upgrades to the athletic field, athletic lighting upgrades, and drainage improvements, various renovations to the auditorium, and various HVAC upgrades, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, equipment, and any site work; (c) appropriate $41,926,384 for such improvements; and (d) issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $41,926,384. The final eligible costs for the projects approved by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education are $24,312,507 (consisting of $12,477,217 for West Essex High School and $11,835,290 for West Essex Middle School). The projects include $17,623,877 (consisting of $17,623,877 for West Essex High School and $0 for West Essex Middle School) for school facility construction elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage is 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election. Do you approve this Bond Proposal Question No. 1?

A YES vote means

The West Essex Regional school board could spend $41,926,384 on high school and middle school projects such as an addition, security vestibules, a turf field and HVAC upgrades, and borrow up to that amount by issuing bonds, with the State paying 40% of debt service on the $24,312,507 in eligible costs.

A NO vote means

The West Essex Regional school board would not be authorized to issue these $41,926,384 in bonds.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Only on your ballot if you live in the West Essex Regional School District (Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Roseland).

Background

The West Essex Regional School District Board of Education says it is pursuing a bond referendum to raise upfront money and secure state aid for critical facility improvements. The referendum appears as two questions on the November 3 ballot.

According to the district, approving both questions would unlock $9.3 million in state aid to reduce the local cost. The district serves Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Roseland.

The district says the work would be phased around the school calendar if approved, with larger equipment installations planned for summer 2028. Before proposing the bond, it assessed facilities with its architect and planned a demographic study.

Put on the ballot by West Essex Regional School District Board of Education (bond resolution; date and vote not stated on the district page).

From official source.

Next elections here

• New Jersey election 2027 · November 2, 2027: All 40 state Senate seats and all 80 General Assembly seats
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Essex County ballots

• West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 2 — additional school improvements (contingent on Question 1)

All Essex County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 1 mean?

The West Essex Regional school board could spend $41,926,384 on high school and middle school projects such as an addition, security vestibules, a turf field and HVAC upgrades, and borrow up to that amount by issuing bonds, with the State paying 40% of debt service on the $24,312,507 in eligible costs.

What does a NO vote on West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 1 mean?

The West Essex Regional school board would not be authorized to issue these $41,926,384 in bonds.

How many votes does West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on West Essex Regional School District Bond Proposal Question 1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.