Bridgewater-Raritan Schools $157M Referendum: Where, When To Vote

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Tuesday is the day for residents in Bridgewater and Raritan to vote on two questions on the $157 million referendum, which is looking to provide upgrades to the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District and create full-day kindergarten.

The first question will have a $0 tax impact on residents, while the second question would result in an increase in taxes for 25 cents a day for the average home assessed in Bridgewater-Raritan, the district stated.

Voting will be held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here is a list of polling locations:

• Adamsville School, Route 28 (400 Union Avenue) (Districts 3, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 27)
• Bradley Gardens Primary School, 148 Pine St., (Districts 1, 2, 16)
• Crim School, 1300 Crim Road, (Districts 9, 10, 12, 18, 20, 23, 24, and 32)
• Hamilton School, Hamilton Lane (Off Frohlin Drive) (Districts 6, 13, 17, 22, 28, 29)
• Milltown Primary School, 611 Milltown Road, (Districts 31, 33)
• Van Holten Primary School, 360 Van Holten Road, (Districts 4, 5, 11, 19, 25, 26, 30, 34, 35, 36)
• John F. Kennedy Primary School, 255 Woodmere St., (All Raritan Borough Districts.)

"Question one will provide the funding to update facilities throughout the district, including air-conditioned classrooms, safety and security upgrades, and numerous updates throughout our district instructional spaces. Question one has a neutral tax impact, representing a zero-dollar increase for Bridgewater Township and Raritan Borough homeowners," said Superintendent Robert Beers.

"Question two consists of the cost of an addition at the middle school and renovations to accommodate kindergarten at the primary schools. The district intends to create the space for kindergarten by building an addition to house the sixth grade at the middle school. A yes vote would create a scenario where our primary schools would house K-3 students, intermediate schools would accommodate grades four and five, and the middle school would serve grades 6- 8. Shifting grades would create the space needed in our primary schools for kindergarten. Question two costs 90 dollars per year for the average assessed home in Bridgewater Township and $66 for the average assessed home in Raritan Borough. This figure represents a cost of fewer than 25 cents daily for the average taxpayer," said Beers.

In comparison, Bridgewater is one of three districts in Somerset County — Hillsborough and Montgomery are the other two — that only offers a half-day kindergarten program. Additionally, about 90 percent of districts in New Jersey have a full-day kindergarten.

"I encourage everyone to go out and vote tomorrow," said Beers.

Watch the full presentation of the proposed referendum projects below:

For more information on Referendum 2023 click here.

— Editor's Note: Polling locations have been updated.

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