The fourth bond referendum in eight years, potentially totaling as much as $89.1 million, will be decided by Princeton voters in a special election Jan. 28.
The bond referendum, which is divided into three questions, asks voters to approve spending up to $89.1 million for renovations and expansions to four of the six schools in the Princeton Public Schools. The State of New Jersey will pick up part of the tab for debt service.
The three previous bond referendums in 2018, 2022 and 2023 totaled $57.3 million. The State of New Jersey picked up part of the tab for debt service for each one.
If all three questions are approved by voters later this month, voters will have approved spending a total of $146.4 million in eight years.
In 2018, voters approved spending $26.9 million for upgrades to safety, security and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the six schools. Four additional classrooms were added at Princeton High School, plus a new dining area and increased space for athletics.
School district officials initially sought $137 million to expand Princeton High School and to build a new grades 5-6 school at Valley Road, but it was pared down to $26.9 million in response to pushback from the community.
In 2022, voters approved a $17.5 million bond referendum question that focused on replacing leaky roofs and outdated HVAC systems at the six schools. Siding repairs were made at the Littlebrook and Johnson Park schools.
And in 2023, voters approved a $12.9 million bond referendum for security and technology upgrades at the six schools. Playground equipment upgrades were made at the four elementary schools and Princeton Middle School, and cafeteria renovations were made at Princeton High School.
The Jan. 28 bond referendum is broken down into three questions. It is structured so that voters may vote on each question. Approval of all three questions is contingent upon approval of Question 1.
Voters may approve Question 1; Questions 1 and 2; or Questions 1, 2 and 3. They cannot approve just Questions 1 and 3, or Questions 2 and 3.
Approval of Question 1 would add an estimated $222 for debt service to the school district property tax for a house assessed at the town average of $853,136, and an estimated $447 if Questions 1 and 2 are approved.
If all three questions are approved, it would add an estimated $532 to the school district property tax for a house assessed at $853,136.
The 2024-25 school district property tax for a house assessed at $853,136 was $10,479.
For a property assessed at $1.7 million, the school district property tax was $21,420. For a house assessed at $2.5 million, it was $31,500.
The school district property tax makes up about 49% of a Princeton property owner’s total tax bill. The rest of the property tax includes the municipal property, open space and library taxes, and Mercer County property and open space taxes.
The school district property tax levy has two components – the general fund levy for the operating budget, and the debt service levy for money approved by taxpayers via referendum. The general fund levy was $87.9 million in the 2024-25 budget.
The debt service tax levy was $3.1 million in the 2024-25 budget. School district officials said it would peak at an estimated $7.6 million – without any offset of earnings on invested, unspent bond proceeds – in 2030 if all three questions are approved.
Question 1
The first question on the bond referendum ballot asks voters to approve $37.9 million for expansions and renovations to the Community Park School, and for upgrades to the HVAC systems at Princeton High School.
The expansion at the Community Park School would include six new classrooms, four small-group instruction rooms and two flexible learning spaces that could be adjusted for programming needs.
An expansion to the cafeteria is planned, as well as a new, larger gym/multipurpose room. There would be a larger music room and library.
The expansion is needed to maintain the dual language immersion program and to also provide for a traditional English language-only track.
Students are taught 50/50 in Spanish and English in the DLI program. Math, science, Spanish language arts and culture are taught in Spanish. Language arts, social studies, physical education, music and library are taught in English.
Question 2
Question 2 asks for $38.3 million for expansions and renovations to the Princeton Middle School, and renovations to Princeton High School.
At the Princeton Middle School, the plan calls for two new classrooms, three new flex spaces and two new science labs. A multipurpose room with space for assemblies, physical education and indoor recess is proposed. It would be available to the community after school hours.
Expansions to the vocal music and band rooms are planned, as well as to the cafeteria and kitchen. The main office would be expanded, and the school district’s technology department would be relocated to the middle school from Princeton High School.
At Princeton High School, the technology office would be converted into additional student instruction spaces. Upgrades would be made to the Numina Art Gallery, which doubles as an instructional and presentation space.
Question 3
Question 3 seeks $12.9 million for expansions and renovations to the Littlebrook Elementary School. Six new classrooms, two small-group instruction rooms, a new vocal music room, renovations to the student support service areas and a renovated kitchen would be included.
More teachers will need to be hired if the projects are approved. The cost of a teacher is about $100,000 for salary and benefits. There will also be a need to hire more custodians to maintain the expanded spaces.
School district officials have said the projects are needed to accommodate increased enrollment.
Although 1,000 new housing units are in the pipeline to be built in the near future, they will only generate an additional 220 students by the time the developments have been completed and fully occupied in 2026. Some of the units have been built and others are under construction.
SLAM, which is the demographer hired by the school district, estimated that of the anticipated 220 new students, 119 will be elementary school students; 45 middle school students; and 76 high school students.
Of the 119 elementary school students, 84 are expected to enroll at the Littlebrook School and 23 are expected to attend the Community Park School. Those are the two schools earmarked for expansion.
