Special Referendum Election Approved By Bridgewater-Raritan School Board

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday to allow for a special school referendum election to be held on March 14.

Residents in Bridgewater and Raritan will be able to vote on two questions on the $157 million referendum.

Question 1 probes capital/educational and facilities infrastructure projects, while Question 2 asks about a middle school addition (which would combine grades 6, 7 and 8 in the middle school, creating space in primary schools to implement a full day kindergarten program). The question will also propose renovations to the primary schools to accommodate kindergarten classrooms.

The renovations, at an estimated $118,014,003 (or $79,742,418 with state aid) would cost the average resident $0 per year. However, the estimated $39,071,027 in proposed additions (or $33,051,856 with state aid) would cost the average Raritan resident $84 more per year; that increase goes up to $111 for the average Bridgewater local.

Other renovations included in the referendum include new security measures (secure lockdown capabilities, secure vestibules at building entrances and new communications systems), fire alarm upgrades, asbestos flooring removal, toilet room renovations, roofing repairs, electrical replacements and more.

Over half a dozen meetings are scheduled (from Jan. 10 to Feb. 24) ahead of the vote. You can view the full meeting schedule here.

For more information on the referendum visit the district's Referendum Page.For Referendum Related Questions: Email referendum@brrsd.k12.nj.us

You can also watch the full presentation of the proposed referendum projects below:

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