Ramsey Tax Increase Would Accompany Full-Day Kindergarten

RAMSEY, NJ — Residents will go to the voting booth on Nov. 5 for another referendum related to bringing full-day kindergarten to the borough.

Voters will consider an estimated annual $99 tax increase for the average homeowner that would cover the operating costs. The average home is valued at $523,000.

Approval would launch the process of detailing building plans, getting bids, and construction, which would be paid with bond funds.

School officials plan on having full-day kindergarten in the fall of 2020.

Residents last year approved a sweeping $42.9 million multifaceted plan to bring full-day kindergarten to the last school district in Bergen County not to have it.

Related: Ramsey Residents Approve $42.9M School Renovation Plan

Of the $42.9 million the district will bond for, taxpayers are responsible for about $32.5 million. The bond will be paid off in 2024. The remaining $10.4 million is in debt service to the state.

To bring full-day kindergarten to Ramsey, two elementary schools, Tisdale and Hubbard, must be renovated. Visitor vestibules at Tisdale, Hubbard, Dater, and Smith schools will be installed. Video cameras linked to the local police will go in every school. Door locks will be upgraded and safety film applied to every first floor window and door.

Key Dates

Information sessions about the vote that are open to the public will be:

• Dater Parent Teacher Organization meeting, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m.
• Tisdale open house, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m.
• Smith Parent Teacher Organization meeting, Oct. 16 at 9:15 a.m.
• Hubbard Parent Teacher Organization meeting, Oct. 25 at 1:45 p.m.
• Hubbard open house, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote.

For more information about the Ramsey all-day kindergarten vote, click here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com