Princeton school district officials are going ahead with plans for a three-question bond referendum to pay for expansions and renovations to four of its six schools.
The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education approved a resolution at its Oct. 29 meeting to set Jan. 28, 2025 as the date for the bond referendum. It would total $89.1 million if all three ballot questions are approved by voters.
The bond referendum 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 just Questions 2 and 3.
If all three questions are approved, it would add an estimated $543 to the school district property tax for a house assessed at the town average of $853,136. The State of New Jersey will pick up part of the tab for debt service.
School district officials broke the referendum down into three questions, rather than one question, because they want to be sensitive to the capacity of taxpaying families, said Interim Superintendent of Schools Kathie Foster.
The school district does not operate in a vacuum, school board president Dafna Kendal said. Officials are aware of other recent impacts to the taxpayer, such as the town’s decision to approve a $50 million bond ordinance to pay for the purchase of the former Westminster Choir College campus on Walnut Lane.
Given those pressures, “we are allowing the community to decide on the level of investment they want, (but) we believe all of the projects are needed as we go forward,” Foster said.
School district officials have said the expansion and renovation projects are needed to accommodate increased enrollment, which is due in part to the anticipated construction of about 1,000 new housing units in the next five to seven years. The new housing units are needed to help the town meet its requirement to provide its fair share of affordable housing.
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 heating and air conditioning (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.
The cafeteria would be expanded, and there would be a new, larger gym/multipurpose room. There would be a larger music room and library.
Kimberly Tew, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said the expansion is needed to maintain the dual language immersion program and to also provide for a traditional track.
Students are taught 50/50 in Spanish and English in the dual language immersion 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.
At Princeton High School, the plan is to upgrade the HVAC systems throughout the school. The energy-efficient improvements would save $150,000 to $200,000 annually.
If voters approve Question 1, the annual tax impact would be $227 for a home assessed at the town average of $853,136.
Question 2 askes for $38.3 million for expansions and renovations to the Princeton Middle School, and renovations to Princeton High School.
At the Princeton Middle School, there would be two new classrooms, three new flex spaces and two new science labs. There would be a new multipurpose room with space for assemblies, physical education and indoor recess. 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 to include small meeting rooms and conference spaces. The school district’s technology department would be relocated from Princeton High School.
At Princeton High School, the improvements include converting the technology office into additional student instructional spaces. Upgrades would be made to the Numina Art Gallery, which serves as an instructional and presentation space.
If Questions 1 and 2 are approved, the combined tax impact would be $458.
Question 3 seeks $12.9 million for expansions and renovations to the Littlebrook School. It would include six new classrooms, two small-group instruction rooms, a new vocal music room, renovations to the student support service areas, and a renovated kitchen.
If Question 1, 2 and 3 are approved, the combined tax impact would be $543.
