$14M Referendum Makes Freehold Regional Upgrades A Reality

FREEHOLD, NJ — The Freehold Regional High School District had a busy summer, completing several capital projects for the new school year and planning more to come.

"Work began on the critical infrastructure projects in the Freehold Regional High School District's recent referendum," Superintendent Charles B. Sampson, Ed.D., said in an update to the community on the district website.

A referendum for $14.46 million was approved by voters in November 2021 and the funding is seeing tangible results. The State of New Jersey is picking up 40 percent of the bonds' cost, meaning the work will cost the Freehold Regional District $8.68 million instead of the full $14.46 million, Sampson noted on the district's website. The impact on the regional district's portion of a resident's property tax bill is an estimated increase of less than 1/2 of 1 percent, the website said.

The district, located in western Monmouth County, serves eight communities and covers an area of over 200 square miles with approximately 10,400 students in its six high schools: Colts Neck, Freehold, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro.

Communications and District Projects Coordinator Rebecca Policastro gave an update on the projects as of Monday, Aug. 29.

These projects are completed or will be completed this school year:

• Paving projects at Colts Neck, Freehold, and Howell High Schools are complete.
• Paving at Manalapan High School is expected to be completed this week before the start of school.
• Roofing work at Freehold Township High School will be completed before school starts.
• Roofing work at Marlboro High School will take place during the school year. Work is anticipated to take place while the school is closed for extended holiday times.

"We are awaiting the materials for Marlboro High School's roof to arrive. Due to the supply chain delay, this work will start later than we initially planned. We have designed a plan to allow this work to begin while school is in session this fall," Sampson said on the district website.

"Next summer will see a flip in projects. Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, and Manalapan will have their roofing work done, while Freehold Township and Marlboro have their paving work done," Policastro said.

The referendum passed with 58.82 percent voting in favor of the proposal.

"I want to thank you all once again for your overwhelming support of the referendum which has allowed these critical improvements to begin," Sampson told residents on his website statement.