SCOTCH PLAINS - The second time was a charm Voters in Scotch Plains and Fanwood approved both questions Tuesday on the school district's $44.8 million referendum to provide a short-term solution to the district's need for more space and upgrade the HVAC system in all schools Voters approved the first referendum question by a 3,090-2,402 margin That question approved the acquisition of the former La Grande School in Fanwood adding air conditioning to all spaces that don’t currently have air conditioning district-wide and provide other critical upgrades to HVAC The cost of buying LaGrande School is $10.5 million while the HVAC upgrades will cost $34.2 million The second question was approved 2,968 to 2,526 It approved the permanent funding of the operating costs of La Grande including supplies salaries and benefits to hire a new administrator security officer and building and grounds personnel “We can’t thank our community enough for making their voices heard in this special election,” said Superintendent of Schools Joan Mast “This vote holds significant importance for the future of our district and for the current and future generations of students who will walk through our doors.” voters defeated a comprehensive $115 million referendum The school board went back to the drawing board and solicited more community input in creating Tuesday's referendum the school district will receive $11.4 million in state aid to offset the local tax impact More: Scotch Plains, Fanwood residents to vote on $44 million school referendum on Jan. 28 The cost of the referendum works out to be about $24 per month for the owner of a home assessed at Scotch Plains’ average and $21 per month for the owner of a home assessed at Fanwood’s average “While we know this plan does not solve all the district’s space constraints this is a crucial short-term relief for the elementary schools while also securing La Grande as a community asset,” Mast said “We look forward to getting this started.” SCOTCH PLAINS - Residents in Scotch Plains and Fanwood will be going to the polls 2-8 p.m Tuesday to vote on a $44.8 million referendum to provide a short-term solution to the district’s need for more space and fund HVAC and fire alarm upgrades in all district schools The school board went back to the drawing board and solicited more community input in creating this referendum 28 holds tremendous significance for the future of our district and for the current and future generations of children who will be impacted by this decision,” said Superintendent of Schools Joan Mast It’s uncommon for a school building to come up for sale precisely when we need more space for our students It’s even more extraordinary for the state to offer $11.4 million to support critical HVAC and fire alarm upgrades across all our schools.”  28 proposal would cost approximately $21-$24 per month in property taxes for the owner of the average assessed home in Scotch Plains and Fanwood The state has agreed to pay $11.4 million in state aid toward the $44.8 million referendum if voters approve it That’s 26% of the total costs that would be covered by the state through aid only available to districts where voters approved a referendum More: Scotch Plains-Fanwood voters split on $115M school referendum, per unofficial results The acquisition of the La Grande School at 330 South Ave in Fanwood would free up nine classrooms across the elementary schools and ease space constraints with the relocation of all pre-K classes to this building Funds from the district’s Capital Reserve would cover costs of minor renovations to La Grande redistricting would no longer be part of the district's plan The property tax impact of this referendum is is less than half of what the September referendum would have cost “This is a chance for Scotch Plains and Fanwood residents to shape the future of our schools and communities,” Mast said Mail-in ballots must also be postmarked by that date to be counted.”  The district has also created a website for the referendum regards this as the most notorious crime in NJ This case resulted in the “Lindbergh Law”: federal kidnapping act The Historical society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood invites you to come to our meeting on Wednesday evening April 23rd at 7:30 PM to learn about this tragic kidnapping The meeting takes place at the Historical  Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains JD Solomon is a Westfield resident and retired journalist who gives presentations about historical true crime at senior centers and community organizations in Union County He is the author of two historical novels is a thriller about aging Civil War veterans in Philadelphia in 1898 is a thriller about bootlegging set in him home town of Bay Shore The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood invites you to come to our meeting on Wednesday evening April 23rd beginning at 7:30 PM to learn the details about this tragic kidnapping The meeting is free and open to all and is held at the historic Shady Rest Country Club 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Ave) in Scotch Plains Refreshments and fellowship follow the presentation For further information contact Connie Klock at This email address is being protected from spambots