Pittsgrove votes for progress

School District’s $14-million Promise of Progress referendum passes convincingly, bringing necessary upgrades to facilities

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Schalick High School football coach Mike Wilson is a big-picture kind of guy. He always has an eye towards the future, a vision of what the sports facilities at his school could be like if it had the means to upgrade. But it was always a wish list.

Now that list can become a reality.

Voters in Pittsgrove Twp. Tuesday night voted convincingly to support a $14 million bond referendum that will shape the future of facilities, athletics and otherwise, throughout the township.

In a special election, The Promise of Progress Referendum passed 551-336. It not only will benefit the athletics facilities at the high school, but also fund essential upgrades throughout the district. All seven of the township’s precincts voted in favor of the referendum.

“This referendum will drastically upgrade our sports programs and facilities,” Pittsgrove Twp. school superintendent Dr. Courtney McNeely said. “…This was our opportunity to elevate our athletes’ experience and strengthen our community spirit.

“Our community made this possible. We are so proud to promise our student athletes the progress and facilities they deserve.”

Specifically for the high school athletics facilities, plans call for building a field house, concession stand, community restrooms and bleachers for the football field, upgrading sound and lighting, and updating the boys and girls locker rooms. The playing surface on the football field will not be affected.

“First thing, it’s great for the district because it’s necessary repairs and upgrades,” Wilson said. “The high school is turning 50 years soon, the district’s buildings are on the older side, so it’s great for the Township of Pittsgrove and it’s a great way where the taxpayer is going to see minimal increase if any at all for repairs that have to be done anyway.”

Wilson just read news reports where a community in football-mad Texas is about to build a $94 million football stadium. Another Texas program recently built a $35-million home. The Pittsgrove upgrades won’t be quite as extreme, but it will enhance what the Cougars have to offer.

“These are necessary facility upgrades for the athletics program,” Wilson said. “Right now our varsity athletes don’t have a varsity locker room. They’re going to have space to call their own – for all sports, not just football. Just necessary stuff to bring us to the 21st Century. I just think it’s nice that these kids work so hard in all our sports that they’re going to have facilities they can be proud of.

“I always think big picture, I always think grand, I want things now. Since we got here me and my staff have said we’d love to have X, Y and Z, and with this referendum we’re going to get X, Y, Z. Again, it’s not extravagant, it’s not unnecessary, these are the necessary things that these student-athletes deserve. We have good athletics at Schalick and it’s nice to see our facilities are going to reflect the success we’ve bene having on the field for so many years before I was there.”

The New Jersey Dept. of Education has pledged nearly $6.5 million for eligible projects under the State Share program, while the school district is responsible for the remaining $8,217,744. The bond issue will increase the tax bill for the average assessed home in Pittsgrove by less than $1 per month (approximately $11 per month in Elmer) over the next 20 years compared to existing debt service payment for the 2023-24 school year.

It was not immediately known what the athletics portion of the upgrades would cost or when construction would begin.