Clementon Elementary Building a Bright Future 9.15.26

Building a Bright Future 9.15.26

Building a Bright Future for Clementon
Top of Page

The Clementon School District is taking a strategic step forward in expanding educational opportunities for our youngest learners. The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has officially issued a preliminary determination approving the construction of the brand-new Clementon Early Childhood Center.

This project aligns with the district's approved Long-Range Facilities Plan and will be funded in part by New Jersey State Debt Service Aid, reducing the local tax impact.

The Vision: A Purpose-Built Learning Environment

Located on the White Horse Pike (Block 75, Lot 25.01) near the Ryan Homes townhouse development, Clementon’s new early childhood center will be constructed on newly acquired land as a modern, energy-efficient facility. Designed to meet strict LEED green building standards, the facility will feature:

8 Early Childhood Classrooms: Spaces designed specifically to foster early learning and development.
Multipurpose Room: A flexible space for physical education, student dining, and school events.
Administrative & Nurse Suites: Dedicated facilities to manage school operations and support student wellness.
Secure Vestibule: A modern, state-of-the-art secure entrance to maximize building safety.

Enhanced Site & Safety Features

Fenced Outdoor Play Areas: Dedicated, secure playgrounds and outdoor spaces for physical activity.
Designed Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zones: Optimized traffic patterns to ensure safe and efficient student arrival and dismissal.

Built for Sustainability

Because this project introduces a brand-new building to our community, it is required to incorporate strict green building guidelines developed by the United States Green Building Council, following Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. This ensures an energy-efficient, healthy, and environmentally responsible environment for our students.

Maximizing Our Current School Building

Building a dedicated early childhood center does more than provide a beautiful new space for our little bulldogs. It will create an opportunity for our entire district. By moving early childhood classes to a new building, we can repurpose critical square footage within our current school building. This gives us a unique opportunity to modernize our learning environments and address long-standing space constraints without expanding our physical footprint. It’s critical to note that the Board intends to use funds available in its capital reserve account to repurpose these existing spaces, so it is entirely separate from the referendum that voters will consider on September 15, 2026.

How We Plan to Repurpose the Vacated Spaces:

Reduced Crowding: Shifting our youngest learners allows us to optimize class sizes across all other grade levels, ensuring our teachers have the space they need to deliver high-quality, individualized instruction.
A Dedicated Sensory Room: A therapeutic educational space designed to support students with specific special needs who were placed in special education programs outside of the district at a significant cost.
Expanded Space for Electives: Vacated classrooms will be converted into dedicated spaces for specialized electives, giving students more hands-on opportunities to explore the arts, business, and creative programming.

Community Information Sessions

The district will host an information session where residents will have the opportunity to review architectural concepts, ask questions about the financial structure, and see how this center will benefit our community for decades to come.

Information Session: August 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Information Session: September 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Financial Management & State Aid

By securing formal approval from the NJDOE, Clementon is eligible for financial support from the state. If voters approve the referendum, the NJDOE will contribute more than $700,000 toward the project. This reduces the remaining amount funded through local property taxes, ensuring our community can build a state-of-the-art facility.

Total Project Cost: $13,525,000
District Contribution: 5,500,000
State Aid Percentage: Approximately 65% of eligible costs covered by New Jersey Debt Service Aid, approximately $705,068
Local Share: $7,319,932

Assessed Home Value vs. Market Value: Understanding the Difference

When reviewing the project's tax impact, it is important to remember that a home's assessed value is not the same as its market value.

Assessed Value: This is the official value placed on your property by the local tax assessor specifically for calculating municipal property taxes. It is often lower than what your home would sell for today. The estimated tax impact for this project is calculated using this official assessed figure, not what your home is worth on the real estate market.
Market Value: This is the current price your home would likely sell for if you placed it on the real estate market today, which fluctuates based on buyer demand and neighborhood sales.

Important Note for Homeowners: When determining your specific tax impact for the September 15, 2026 referendum, look at the total assessed value listed on your most recent property tax bill, rather than your home's current market value or potential selling price.

Tax Impact:

The financial advisor has based the tax impact calculation on a 20-year maturity schedule and a conservative interest rate. Accordingly, a home assessed at $115,178 would see an increase of $243.10 annually ($20.25 monthly).

How to Calculate Your Estimated Tax Impact:

Find your home’s assessed value (not market value) on your tax bill.
Divide your assessed value by 100,000.
Multiply that result by $211.07 to find your estimated annual increase.

Have Questions?

Please email your questions directly to Mr. Bruno Berenato @ berenatob@clemsd.org. We will make every effort to reply in a timely manner.

Clementon School District