SAYREVILLE – Construction of the long-awaited Bass Pro Shops is expected to begin before year's end at Riverton, the proposed $2.5 billion mixed-use development at the former National Lead site.

"Bass Pro Shops has told us it will be the largest, single-level Bass Pro Shop in the country," said Kevin Polston, project executive with North American Properties, the developer of the property.

"There will be a restaurant and they typically have a large aquarium, but we don't have the plans yet," said Mark Fetah, North American Properties' senior vice president of development. "They are still working internally with their design team to enrich the customer experience of the store to an even higher degree."

North American Properties expects to fast-track construction of the approximately 198,500-square-foot store by designing and building the footings and foundations, while Bass Pro designs the rest of the store, said Fetah, who has worked on Epcot Center, Euro Disneyland, 7 World Trade Center and Princeton Forrestal Village.

Construction is expected to take 20 to 22 months, Fetah said, adding that supply chain issues are adding six months to the time it would ordinarily take.

In addition, there is still some infrastructure work that needs to be done to provide utilities and on-site roadways to service the store, he said.

"Bass Pro is a very complicated, large building," Polston said. "They do a lot of specialty installations on the inside of the buildings. They study the geography of each area. They will find points of interest in Central New Jersey and the Raritan estuary to reference in their aquarium and wildlife diorama programs."

What is Riverton?

Located at the Chevalier Avenue exit off the Garden State Parkway just south of the Driscoll Bridge, the planned 6.5 million-square-foot mixed-use Riverton development, which stretches along two miles of the Raritan River, is proposed to include about 1.3 million square feet of retail and entertainment space, 2 million square feet of office and other commercial space and 2,000 residential units, which includes 300 affordable housing units.

Also see:Bridgewater Commons mall sold; new owner plans 'vibrant mixed-use destination'

Polston explained that the project is a lengthy process as North American Properties is building a "new town."

"First the property had to be cleaned up," he said. "Then we have to build everything you typically have in a town, including roads, domestic waters, sanitary and storm sewers, natural gas and electric."

"I definitely have an affinity for Sayreville," Fetah said. "We are transforming an industrial site that was the heart and soul of Sayreville for so many years.”

The current plan is to construct 1,500 apartment units and 500 townhomes, Polston said, adding that breakdown could change.

More:Director of leasing named for $2.5 billion Riverton project in Sayreville

The 400-plus acre site is broken into three parcels – A, B and C. Parcel C is the largest, about 312 acres with about 285 developable acres, where most of the building will take place.

In addition to Bass Pro Shops, the first phase of the project, approved by the Sayreville Planning Board in December 2019, includes the Gateway Retail District buildings and the first half of the village. That phase includes a hotel and conference center, amphitheater, movie theater, restaurants, shops and nearly 300 residential units.

“The village will be the heart of Riverton,” Fetah said.

The Gateway Retail District will have six buildings, some of which will have multiple tenants, along the southern part of the property, south of the intersection of Peter Fisher Boulevard and the Main Street Extension.

The tenants are expected to include a convenience store, quick-service restaurants and other commercial businesses, the developers said.

"We're in advanced lease negotiations for at least three or four of the retail establishments," Fetah said.

Because the buildings are smaller and much simpler to construct, it is likely they will be open before Bass Pro Shops, Polston said.

"We plan to start the first of the Gateway Retail District buildings early summer next year," Fetah said.

Last month, the Planning Board approved a subdivision of one section of Parcel C into four lots. One lot will house a municipal pump station and another a 30-megawatt JCP&L electrical substation, which will provide electric services to the development.

The board also approved changes to the footprint and exterior of the Bass Pro Shops building, he Fetah said.

A $1.3 million federal grant was awarded to study connectivity from Parcel C across Parcels B and A and ultimately to the train station and planned ferry in South Amboy, Polston said.

"The grant was awarded to SERA (Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency), but we partnered with them in grant application and administration processes," Polston said. "We'll begin working on that this year."

The project also includes about 50 acres of open space, which is envisioned to have walking and biking paths, pocket parks and other public amenities along the waterfront. It will also include a heroes' walk, honoring local veterans.

Thirty-seven of the 55 acres in Parcel A were deeded to Middlesex County and the state Department of Environmental Protection for permanent open space, Polston said.

About four of the remaining acres are retained for a future jughandle connection to Route 35 and the balance is tidal lands retained by SERA as green space, he said.

North American Properties has secured a waterfront development permit from the DEP which facilitates the buildings on the western part of the village, Fetah said.

"This is the zone where we thought we would create the waterfront promenade, amphitheater and other amenities that would take advantage of that connection to the water," Polston said.

A visit to Riverton

During a recent visit to the site, workers were seen constructing a concrete wall to serve as a platform for the buildings that will overlook the promenade and waterfront.

"There's also the engineering and the architecture coordination and the process of gaining all the approvals," Fetah said. "After this year, we'll have destiny in our own hands. By the end of this year, we'll have all the complicated issues, such as easements, right of ways, offsite improvements and working with the existing utilities, under our belt. Then we'll work on the buildings. That's when the public will really see Riverton taking shape."

Environmental remediation has been completed on about two-thirds of Parcel C, clearing the site for development, Polston said.

More:Environment groups given OK to proceed with NL lawsuit

As part of the redevelopment agreement with Sayreville, North American Properties committed to on-site public amenities, facilities and payments, including an open-air amphitheater along the river and other public performing spaces, an onsite conference center and the waterfront walkway, Polston said.

North American Properties is also making contributions toward the new community center the borough is building as well as borough fire department facilities, Polston said.

Riverton is also conducting offsite improvement projects including roadway widening at Route 9 & 35 on Chevalier Avenue and extension of the existing municipal water main in Sayreville, Fetah said. The main roads on the site, stormwater management and sanitary sewer systems and domestic water distribution system will be dedicated to the borough.

Both Polston and Fetah agree that the project is unique.

"The idea of making a difference by taking this damaged property and creating something vibrant, new and part of the fabric of the community is a fulfilling exercise for me," Polston said. "I'm also working with a great team. Thousands of people will be involved in this project over time. It's a very unique opportunity and a very big challenge, but it is fun."

"Everything we are building here is for the long term," Fetah said. "On the architecture side, this is a wide-open palette. There will be an organic collection of buildings. We are also trying to use as many local service providers as we can. We enjoy a tremendous relationship with the union building trades on this project. The subcontractors and trades people working here are self-motivated and are inherently committed to delivering a quality product which will be a lasting hallmark of the Riverton development."

National Lead, which maintained a paint manufacturing operation at the site until 1982, owned the property from 1935 until 2005.

In 1996, the property was declared an area in need of redevelopment. Three years later, the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan was adopted by the borough.

In 2005, SERA acquired the property for redevelopment. O'Neill Properties was brought in by the redeveloper, Sayreville Seaport Associates, to develop the property, but they parted ways and in 2017 North American Properties took over as the developer.

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

SAYREVILLE – "One coffee and a blueberry muffin, please," one of the first customers at Bombers Beyond Café said to members of the Brew Crew.

"What size, small or large?" said Gary, 19, while Jayvon, also 19, carefully used tongs to pick up the muffin. "And is that for here or to go?"

Professional and proud.

The long-awaited student-run Bombers Beyond Café at 132 Main St. opened with smiles and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting in late winter. As customers and VIPs came inside for the first time, Samuel, 19, was greeting everyone with a loud and hearty, "Welcome to the Bombers Beyond Café."

"I begin the day by brewing the coffee and stocking the café for the opening," Jayvon said. "I learned how to measure coffee grounds and work the machine."

After a five-year wait − from conception to birth − the school district officially has its own special education transitions program in place for students aging out of school.

Bombers Beyond is kicking off with five students − Emme, 19, Gabriel, 21, Samuel, Jayvon and Gary. There are two full-time teachers − Andrew Vanderbeck and Caileigh Fazzini − and one paraprofessional − Christine Falcone − dedicated to the project, which bridges the gap between school and adulthood.

"I am just beyond thrilled," said Superintendent of Schools Richard R. Labbe. "I can tell you how incredible I felt when I walked through that door and saw what had been done in transforming this from what it was to now, a café. And then to see our students in their Bombers Beyond Café t-shirts, serving − literally brought tears to my eyes. They are making an impact."

Students receive applicable authentic work-life lessons as they provide a service to the community. Considered by the state Department of Education as an extension of the high school, the students' day mirrors the school day − from 7:30 p.m. to 2:14 p.m. The Bombers Beyond Café is open 8 a.m. to noon on school days. All work shifts in the shop. The afternoons are spent in instruction and other experiences.

"Everybody learns all the jobs and they switch off," said Cynthia DeFina, supervisor of Secondary Special Education. "They are learning job readiness, social skills, job-specific and independence skills. They're really a great bunch of students. I could not have asked for a more perfect class to kick off this program."

Director of Special Services David Knaster said the inspiration for the program lay in an unexpected moment about eight years ago at a Unified Sports basketball game at the middle school. A Unified Sports game allows students of all abilities to participate together.

"So I'm watching the game, and a parent is standing next to me, and she's looking forward as well," Knaster said. "And I hear her say to me, 'Thank you for making me feel like a real mom.' So I turned to her, and said 'What do you mean?' And she said, 'I never thought that my child would be allowed to play ball on this court.'"

That one innocuous comment stuck to Knaster.

New Jersey students with disabilities are entitled to remain in school through the age of 21. Then, they age out and many go on to attend additional programming. But, while the borough is "very inclusive," Knaster said, there was nothing for them in their own community − and nothing to broaden their horizons at "home."

"There are a variety of really nice programs, but we didn't have anything here in town for our kids," Knaster said. "Our initial thought was, it's great that our kids go to other programs, but they're experiencing those communities, not their own community. And when they age out of 21, they return home often with nothing real beyond adult services to access − there's no employment, no jobs. Our concept was started to keep our students within their own community with the latest research-based programming and offer paid employment as their life skill training. That was our vision."

Initially the program was to be housed in Jesse Selover School on Lincoln Avenue. As plans and needs changed, the Selover School makeover became a preschool and the Bombers Beyond program began looking for another location. Then came the pandemic.

The new location on Main Street was even better. Knaster said he always envisioned a "small-town Main Street" feel for the program.

Knaster also credits the teaching staff with getting the program off the ground.

"They are tireless in their enthusiasm and passion for this program. But not just the for the café," he said. "That's important. That's the public face of what we do. But they are expert instructors. With a great knowledge and wealth of curriculum."

While the program is debuting with five students, the administrators expect it to grow. This program is not the answer for every student's needs, but Knaster said it is a significant asset for a good number of the district's special needs students.

Vanderbeck and Fazzini are already pleased with their students' progress, and pleased with the opportunities given to them by the community.

"We are proud that Sayreville has provided our students with the opportunity to be inclusive in our own community," Vanderbeck said. "This is an amazing opportunity to be able to help shape such a wonderful program for years to come."

"As a lifelong Sayreville resident, I am not surprised that our community has welcomed this program with open arms," Fazzini said. "Every member we have encountered has been generous, kind, and supportive. I’ve never been more proud to be a Sayreville resident."

Besides the storefront, the district also leased an apartment upstairs. The apartment will be used to train students − young adults − on how to live independently, Knaster said. There is a kitchen, bathroom, lounge space, two rooms for lessons and laundry area.

"We're going to give our children real world work experience and real word living experience," he said. "And they're making friends with new people and establishing relationships. That's really perhaps the most valuable thing we'll take from here as we prepare our young adults for post high school life."

Rose Addo and Samuel Kissi Sr. have already seen a difference in their 19-year-old son Samuel Kissi Jr.

"I see him having more of a social life with friends and family around him," she said. "It's improving his communication skills, his socialization and self-esteem."

Tara Callahan Rodriguez, mother of Garbiel Rodriguez, is grateful for the program − it allows her son to stay within his home community − and with people he knows.

"I just think it's amazing," Rodriguez said. "My son's been in the program since he's 3 years old. He's now aging out. He is learning everything from how to brew and pour coffee, take an order, clean, prep and handle money. He loves it."

This is just a beginning. Knaster said.

"Maybe, we'll have somebody working in a garden center down the street, or in one of the other shops," he said. "Something that's of high interest for that student. We have choices and they should have choices. We'll have the avenues to do that as well. Plus, we will do travel training, like on the NJ Transit access link, how to use the bank, post office − anything that you would need to do to maximize your independence within your own community. And the key for us here is it's in their town."

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

SAYREVILLE – Your ride over the Driscoll Bridge will never be the same: Amboy Cinemas is finally coming down.

Demolition work is underway at the shuttered theater on Routes 9 & 35, visible from the Garden State Parkway, which has been a vacant eyesore for nearly two decades.

"We're gratified that the property owner is removing this eyesore, and we're hopeful that a project to showcase the gateway to our municipality will come to reality in the upcoming years," said Sayreville Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski. "The developer has not yet approached the borough about any projects they may have planned for the site."

The Borough Council approved an ordinance last fall establishing a redevelopment plan for the site, also known as the National Amusement Theater, which proposes a variety of retail, hotel, recreation, office and professional uses.

The 19.5-acre parcel in the northeast section of the borough contains three properties, about 1,200 feet south of the Raritan River. The area, north of the Melrose residential neighborhood, is immediately east of the base of the Driscoll Bridge with frontage on Route 9 to the west and Route 35 to the east.

Amboy Cinemas opened at the site in December 1979, replacing a drive-in theater, and closed in 2005 due to the settling of the lobby floor.

The property was owned by National Amusements Inc. and was sold to Dice Real Estate LLC for $6.75 million in 2020.

The redevelopment plan establishes permitted land uses, bulk and area requirements and design standards for any proposed development.

More:Sayreville hiring special counsel to investigate former Democratic leader's dealings

"It is envisioned that this redevelopment area will fit into and be compatible with the commercial, residential and waterfront uses of the development of the former National Lead site and the existing highway commercial character of the surrounding area," the plan says.

Under the redevelopment plan, permitted uses at the site include office, retail, grocery store, education, medical, assisted living, hotel, gym, restaurant, entertainment, park-and-ride and open space.

Prohibited used include warehouse, industrial, auto and trailer storage, single- and multi-family housing, freestanding automated bank teller and outdoor storage of goods and materials.

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Voters in three Middlesex County towns will face ballot questions in November's general election.

Sayreville is asking voters if the borough's Open Space Trust fund should be used to fund passive recreation projects on Blue Acres properties.

In South River, the Board of Education is asking voters to approve a $5.5 million bond ordinance for a new Denny Stadium with an artificial turf field and other improvements, which comes with an average tax rate of $127.56 per year or $10.63 per month.

In addition, South River voters will be asked if the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana should be permitted in the borough.

Perth Amboy voters will be asked whether to switch from nonpartisan to partisan elections.

Sayreville

Residents will be asked if the Borough’s Open Space funds should be used for Blue Acres projects in addition to the purposes currently authorized.

The Borough Council approved a resolution at its July 17 meeting authorizing the non-binding referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot.

"The referendum would allow us to use portions of the Open Space Fund to make improvements to Blue Acres properties to make them useful for passive recreation," Councilman Dan Balka said in late July. "There will be zero impact on the tax rate if this is approved."

There is currently $8.8 million in the fund, Balka said.

The borough collects $450,000 every year from taxpayers for its Open Space Trust Fund, the questions says.

Sayreville was among the Central Jersey communities hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy when it barreled into the Garden State in 2012.

NJ's 2023 election FAQ:Voter registration, ballot deadlines, vote-by-mail and more

The state's Blue Acres Buyout Program, through the Department of Environmental Protection, purchased homes from volunteer sellers in the Weber Avenue area and the Old Bridge section of Sayreville at pre-Sandy market values in an effort to move residents out of harm’s way and create natural buffer areas to handle future stormwaters.

Properties purchased under the buyout program are owned by the state, but each municipality is responsible for maintaining those areas for preservation and passive recreation.

Plans for the Blue Acres properties include walking trails, flood control measures and removal of invasive plant species, Balka said, adding that once completed, the project will also provide a better habitat for the wildlife.

“The borough is always on the lookout for substantial tracts of vacant land that could be purchased by the borough and preserved, but those opportunities don't come along very often," Borough Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski said.

Last year, the Legislature made a slight change to state law to enable municipalities to leverage these funds, with voter approval, toward Blue Acres projects, he said.

Many borough residents want to see something useful done with Blue Acres property, Skarzynski said.

"We have an opportunity here instead of doing a big recreation project piecemeal, we have the opportunity to do it in one fell swoop," he said.

South River

The Board of Education is asking voters to support a $5.5 bond ordinance for South River High School’s Denny Stadium, which includes a new stadium and synthetic turf field.

The district will bond for over 10 years for the project.

"Our community treasures the history and tradition represented by Denny Stadium. But the old structure is in significant disrepair," according to a referendum Q&A on the district's website. "Recent inspections indicate the stadium ‘is at the end of its lifespan.’ The stadium also can't safely accommodate people with disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A new stadium is needed and, for our student-athletes, is well deserved."

The stadium project calls for new bleachers, an updated press box, repairs and expansion of the existing concession stands and new, fully accessible restrooms. The stadium would accommodate 1,000 fans. All aspects of the new stadium would be ADA-compliant as per federal law, the district says.

A new synthetic turf field would meet the growing demands of multiple sports and teams throughout the community, according to the district. Synthetic turf fields provide improved safety, durability and playability and would also allow the district to be environmentally conscious by eliminating the need for fertilizers and irrigation that are required for grassy fields, while reducing ongoing maintenance costs, the district says.

The typical lifespan of a turf field ranges between 8 to 10 years. Afterward, refurbishment costs are considerably less than the initial installation, the district says.

A multi-purpose turf field can be used throughout multiple seasons and sports, benefitting programs offered around town.

Other benefits of the project are that smart, energy-efficient construction design and maintenance results in lower ongoing costs and the project will enhance community access to modern, safe athletic fields.

Borough voters also will be asked if they want new cannabis licenses for businesses involved in the retail sale of adult recreational use cannabis issued.

The Borough Council in April unanimously approved an ordinance that placed the non-binding referendum on the ballot.

"We're giving the opportunity to the residents of South River to make a choice," Councilman Peter Guindi said.

"It is basically to take a poll," Mayor John Krenzel said.

The borough can issue five licenses for all classes of cannabis operations, except retail. To date, four businesses have been approved to operate in the borough. Noble 1 LLC was approved to operate a Tier III Class cannabis cultivation facility on Martin Street. Cedar Fairmont Health Cultivator and Green Alchemy were approved for manufacture on Russell Avenue. Canna Caviar was approved to open a cannabis manufacturing facility on William Street.

Perth Amboy

Voters in the waterfront city will be asked whether they want to change city elections from nonpartisan to partisan.

The question on the ballot asks whether the city's charter, governed by the mayor-council form of government under the Faulkner Act, should be amended to change city elections from a regular municipal election held in November to general elections held in November, and changed from nonpartisan to partisan.

Perth Amboy is largely a Democratic community. For years Perth Amboy candidates for mayor and City Council have run under slogans or banners, rather than as members a political party. If the ballot question is approved, candidates for municipal office would appear on the ballot as a representative of a political party or as an independent. If the question is rejected, the current election process would remain unchanged.

"The ballot question to change Perth Amboy's elections from nonpartisan to partisan was initiated by a strong desire among residents for a more partisan electoral process," Lisett Lebron, Mayor Helmin Caba's chief of staff, said in a statement. " The administration and council recognize the importance of allowing residents to have the final say on this matter, and this ballot question ensures that the decision ultimately rests with the voters of Perth Amboy. It's a testament to the democratic process that residents will have the opportunity to shape the future of their local elections through their votes."

Contributing: Staff Writer Suzanne Russell

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

SAYREVILLE - The borough school board has approved a 2023–24 budget which calls for a 5.23% tax increase.

Of the $116,543,486 school budget, $70,527,273 will come from local property owners.

On the average house assessed at $145,694, the tax levy will bill $470.43. The budget was approved at the May 2 Board of Education meeting. According to the Middlesex County Tax Board, property in Sayreville is assessed at only 42% of its market value.

The 5.23% tax rise for 2022-23 is comprised of a 2% increase in the regular tax levy, 0.32% increase due to higher enrollment and a 2.91% increase due mainly to higher health insurance costs.

There are always challenges in developing a budget, said Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe, listing items such as facilities, increased enrollment, personnel needs for existing and improved academic and extracurricular programs as well as upgrades for technology and security.

The school tax hike would be $187.72 on a $145,694 assessed borough home. An additional $282.71 comes into play because of the district's debt service which increased to $2,421,687.

According to the district, the debt service increase is due to the recent $97.4 million bond referendum approved by voters in October. It was anticipated to increase the average assessed home by $315 but came in lower because of competitive interest rates.

More:'Desperately needed': Sayreville planning $97 million in school improvements

Pre-K through grade 12 enrollment for Sayreville stood at 6,230 in the 2021-22 school year with a jump to 6,357 in the 2022-23 school year. Projections show a rise to 6,423 students in the nine township schools in the 2023-24 school year.

Last year, employee benefits came in at $19,687,034. The budget reflects a 8.98% increase for next year for a total of $21,455,442. This includes a 15% budgeted increase in liability/property and worker’s compensation insurance, a 20% budgeted increase in medical benefits and a 7% budgeted increase in prescription benefits.

The district did receive a 15.95% state aid increase with an additional 1.90% fund balance increase over the 2021-22 allotment. This added $42,689,854 back into the budget. The state aid comprises 36% of the total school budget with the annual tax levy making up the bulk of the funding at 60%.

"We were thrilled to learn that we received $5.7 million more in equalization aid (from the state), and therefore we were able to restore many of the items that we cut, however, truth be told we did cut about $18 million from that original budget that was submitted back in November," Labbe said.

Other state grants add another $12,994,096 to the budget for the 2023-24 school year.

District officials said budget calls for increases in facilities, infrastructure and transportation, technology, security and student achievement and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Labbe said the benefits from the 2023-24 budget are "great."

Additions to staff include four new teachers, a high school school counselor and a nurse as well as stipends for three new club advisors. There also will be new certified and non-certified staff members including a Supervisor of Special Education: Transition, four full-time campus monitors, seven bus drivers, two bus aides and a custodian.

Among other new item are history and social studies textbooks and licenses, an AP Pre-Calculus course at high school and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality technology and Silas animation-based social and emotional development software.

There will be new and replacement instruments for the middle school and high school bands, athletic equipment, a new volleyball program for boys and girls and a new girls' football club. The new sports programs include two coaches, equipment and supplies for each. The theatre program also will benefit from lighting and sound professional services.

The district also piloted an augmented reality (AR) software and have budgeted for the implementation of the technology throughout the district. Labbe said not only would it enhance instruction in science and mathematics, but in social studies and English language arts as well.

Facility upgrades include replacement of the stadium lights at the high school, a new or repaired audio board in the high school auditorium, fencing at Emma L. Arleth School and Harry S. Truman School, floor replacement in the media center at the Truman School, portable wall partition replacement in the multipurpose room at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School, repaving of the parking lot at the Jesse Selover School and a portion by the building at Arleth, a parking lot expansion at Samsel Upper Elementary School (SUES) for Central Office employees, minor refurbishment of the health clinic at the Sayreville Middle School and the purchase of one replacement truck, one new truck and an all-purpose vehicle for Buildings and Grounds.

"Obviously the ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of our facilities is a challenge however, when it comes to major renovations, that's covered through the referendum," Labbe said. "But, there are still minor refurbishments that we still have to do within our facilities."

The budget also includes new bus routes, the purchase of one replacement minibus, two new minibuses, one of which is a wheelchair accessible, five new big buses and a truck for the transportation department.

The goal under transportation is to get closer to doing 100% of the district's own school bus routes, Labbe said.

"Right now we're about 90%. Replacement of school buses is always something that's a challenge within our budget," he said. "And of course this year, not only are we replacing school buses, we're also adding to our fleet. So with this budget we're gonna get very close to that 100%."

More:Bombers Beyond Café brings Main Street lessons to Sayreville's diverse learners

The budget also allocates funds for additional full-time evening and central command campus security monitors, school building video surveillance camera upgrades, new bus video surveillance cameras, two-way radio system upgrades and additional metal detectors are included in the budget.

"We live in a very challenging world right now," Labbe said. "It seems every month, every week we hear about some type of shooting taking place. It's an ongoing commitment that we have to ensure the protection of our students and our staff. And that's something that we consider when we develop our budget."

There also will be an extension of district-wide mental health clinical services, including remote psychiatric services available for all students.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.