Livingston homeowners would see their annual property tax bills rise by more than $1,000 under a $228 million bond referendum proposal the school board is considering for facilities construction and renovation. The board is scheduled to vote Thursday, August 20, on whether to place the measure before voters.

The Livingston Board of Education reviewed preliminary cost and financing estimates at its Tuesday, July 14, meeting at the Central Office on Foxcroft Drive.

The district's "Preliminary Referendum Refinancing" presentation, posted after the July 14 meeting, pegs the total project cost at $227,974,175. That breaks down to $154 million in new construction, $60.8 million in renovations, and $13.1 million in sitework.

Two bond scenarios were presented. Under a 25-year bond at 4.15% interest, the owner of an average Livingston home assessed at $729,272 would pay an estimated $1,129.94 per year, or $0.155 per $100 of assessed value. A 30-year bond at 4.25% would lower the annual hit to roughly $1,015.02, or $0.139 per $100.

Renovation work qualifies for state aid that would effectively cover about 34% of renovation costs, based on recent state appropriation patterns. No state aid is expected for new construction or sitework. The district estimates overall debt service aid at about 9.075% of the total project cost.

Livingston already carries $42.2 million in outstanding bond principal and $8.7 million in interest across three bond series, for a total debt service obligation of $50.9 million as of June 30, 2026. The largest piece is the 2025 Ref Bonds, with $36.65 million in principal running through fiscal year 2038.

A second presentation at the July 14 meeting addressed board election logistics. Capital project bond referendums are restricted to five statutory election dates for districts that hold November elections. If Livingston shifted its board elections to April, it would gain a sixth available date for a bond vote. That additional date could allow the district to schedule a referendum at a more strategically favorable time.

The board also noted that the 2026 expiring seat will be filled at a November 2026 election, with the term shortened by six months to run 2026–2029.

The district has not publicly identified which specific schools or facilities would be affected by the $228 million project. A "Referendum Options" presentation was delivered to the board on June 9, but no summary has been posted beyond the district's Referendum Resources page at livingston.org/417453_2.

The board's next step is the Thursday, August 20, vote at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive. That meeting will be held in hybrid format. Residents can attend in person or register for the webinar, and livestreaming will be available on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.