Princeton voters approved a three-part bond referendum totaling $89.1 million for expansions and renovations to four of the six schools in the Princeton Public Schools in a special election Jan. 28.
Voters approved Question 1 by 2,075 votes to 1,317 votes. Question 2 was approved by 1,973 votes to 1,410 votes, and Question 3 was approved by 1,890 votes to 1,491 votes.
The results are unofficial. Mercer County elections officials must tally mail-in ballots postmarked by Jan. 28 and 99 provisional ballots.
The three-part bond referendum was structured so that voters could vote on each question. Approval of all three questions was contingent upon the approval of Question 1. Voters could not approve Questions 1 and 3, or Questions 2 and 3.
Approval of all three questions adds an estimated $532 to the school district property tax for a house assessed at the town average of $853,136. It will be $1,064 on a house assessed at $1.7 million, and $1,596 on a house assessed at $2.5 million.
The State of New Jersey will pick up part of the tab for debt service. The school district will receive $19.9 million in state aid.
School district officials said the projects are needed to accommodate increased enrollment. About 1,000 new housing units are in the pipeline to be built in the near future. They are estimated to generate an additional 220 students in grades K-12 by the time they have been completed and fully occupied in 2026.
The first question on the bond referendum asked voters to approve $37.9 million for expansions and renovations to the Community Park School, and for upgrades to the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems at Princeton High School.
The expansion at the Community Park School will 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 will be a larger music room and library.
The expansion is needed to maintain the dual language immersion (DLI) program and to also provide 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 asked 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 multi-purpose room with space for assemblies, physical education and indoor recess is included. It will be available to the community after school hours.
Expansions to the vocal music and band rooms are planned, as well as to cafeteria and kitchen.
The main office will be expanded, and the school district’s technology department will be relocated to the middle school from Princeton High School.
At Princeton High School, the technology office will be converted into additional student instructional spaces. Upgrades will be made to the Numina Art Gallery, which doubles as instructional and presentation space.
Question 3 asked for $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 are included.
The recent bond referendum is the fourth one in eight years. The three previous bond referendums in 2018, 2022 and 2023 totaled $57.3 million. The state picked up part of the tab for debt service for each one.
In 2018, voters approved spending $26.9 million for upgrades to safety, security and 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.
In 2022, voters approved a $17.5 million bond referendum that focused on replacing leaky roofs and outdated HVAC systems at the six schools. Siding repairs were made at the Johnson Park and Littlebrook 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. Cafeteria renovations were made at Princeton High School.
