How to Apply for Property Tax Relief
February 14, 2025Learn more about the referendum at Feb. 19 information forum
West Long Branch, NJ – Shore Regional High School District has launched an extensive website, shoreregional.org/vote, as part of a communications campaign to inform all voters about the March 11 bond referendum. Residents are encouraged to bookmark the site for updates and learn how the $51 million proposal would improve facilities for students, staff and the broader community and bring approximately $14 million in state aid.
“Our top priority is ensuring that every community member is informed about the vote and how the referendum plays a major role in our strategic approach to upgrade infrastructure and facilities to enrich the overall student experience,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa English. “This website is the starting point for our efforts to inform the community of the proposal. It is the informational hub to find more details about the proposed projects, how they can vote and more.”
Voters will be asked to consider a $51 million bond proposal focused on program enhancements, building and system improvements, as well as upgrades to safety and security. With over 70% of the high school still being part of the original building built in the early 1960s; the district would use bond funding to help:
- Improve and upgrade classrooms and facilities to better serve every student, repair critical infrastructure that is nearing or past the end of its useful life and boost safety and security
- Spread payments for the projects over 20 years
- Capture approximately $14 million in state aid that is available to Shore Regional with voter approval of a referendum
- See the website for a full list of projects.
If voters approve the referendum, the state will contribute approximately $14 million in state aid toward payments for the projects. Every taxpayer in New Jersey pays toward school improvements through their property taxes, but districts where voters approve referenda share that money to invest in their local schools.
Shore Regional High School District services students across four municipalities. The estimated average tax impact for the new school debt would be:
- Monmouth Beach: $26 per month for the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $1,087,348.
- Oceanport: $22 per month for the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $767,746.
- Sea Bright: $34 per month for the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $1,027,419.
- West Long Branch: $29 per month for the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $972,763.
- Check the funding page of the website to learn more.
During the district’s strategic planning process, teachers, administrators, board members, parents and members from the broader community collaborated to identify district priorities. These goals identified by the strategic planning process guided the projects proposed in the bond referendum on March 11.
As part of their communications efforts, the district will also host an in-person forum for community members to join in and ask questions of district leaders and professional experts. The event, Know the Facts: Chat with Shore Regional, will take place on February 19 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Shore Regional High School (132 Monmouth Park Hwy, West Long Branch, NJ 07764).