'Absolutely No Commitment' from State for School Upgrades

A referendum to upgrade Cinnaminson High School, along with the other district schools, could go to voters this fall—assuming the governor decides to be generous.

During Tuesday's public hearing regarding the 2013-14 school budget, Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi said the board of education is still waiting to see whether the state will provide funding for the proposed improvements. Since it's a re-election year for Gov. Chris Christie, Illuzzi said the board is hopeful the money could be released this year.

"(Christie) is sitting on tons of money from a sale of bonds years ago," said the superintendent. According to Illuzzi, the state has about $500 million in construction funding that has yet to be released to districts. 

The total cost of the proposed improvements is approximately $39 million, $11 million of which is eligible for state support. The state funds would cut the amount needed from taxpayers by nearly 35 percent.

"The plan is to go to referendum in the fall of 2013," said Illuzzi. "But the board will not go to the community with a referendum without the state support ... The state has given absolutely no commitment."

If the district doesn't see any of that state aid, the board would have to present a "much stripped-down plan" that would address only the "most basic needs at the high school."

What would be included in that plan, and how much it would cost, Illuzzi couldn't say. (Read our earlier story on the proposed improvements to the school buildings, and check out the attached PDF to see them in even more detail, including a cost breakdown.)