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The ceilings leak at times and create safety hazards, and many tiles are either stained or missing, interim Schools Supt. Anthony Riscica said.
"It's not a good situation," he said. "It hasn't been a good situation for awhile."
Temporary fixes cost more in the long run than a permanent solution, district officials said.
They hope to receive a $3.2 million grant that would reduce the municipally paid portion, Business Administrator Barbara Francisco said.
The grant, combined with low interest rate, could prevent a property tax increase to pay for the project, she said.
The district wanted to install solar panels at the schools in 2011 but couldn't because of the condition of the roofs. The plan can be revisited after the referendum and could lead to energy savings. Riscica said.
"We want to do this in a way that doesn't hurt your pocketbook but makes the schools a better place to be," he said.
The roof at West Milford High School is 156,000 square feet. Macopin Middle School's roof is 113,000 square feet.
Polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8.
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