Hoboken School Referendum Letters: Educator's 'Love Letter' Encourages Discussion

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken residents can vote "Yes" or "No" Tuesday on a $241M project to build a new Hoboken High School and reconfigure other schools. But does that mean the discussion on local educational issues has to end after the vote?

A Hoboken mom and educator has submitted the latest letter to Patch about the referendum, calling it a "Love Letter" to encourage discussion. You can read it here: A Love Letter To My Community

Post your own letter on Patch using these guidelines.

Hoboken school administrators having been sharing details about the $241 million project — which would reconfigure the schools and build a new Hoboken High School — since it was introduced to the public two months ago.

The district says the proposal is long needed to address enrollment trends and aging school buildings (ranging in age from 60 to 110 years old).

Critics have said the plan needs more discussion and will raise taxes for homeowners ($491 per year on average) and on some renters.

The district has been steadily updating a list of responses to frequently asked questions, adding number 22 on Wednesday, "School Choice."

What's In The Project?

The project, as currently proposed, will involve building a new Hoboken High School building at 1000 Jefferson St., on the site of the current district athletic field west of Columbus Park. The new building would include a rooftop athletic complex, and would also contain an ice rink and pool.

The current HHS building at Ninth and Clinton streets would become the city's new middle school. The existing middle school — a 110-year-old building on Fourth Street formerly attended by Frank Sinatra — would be turned into an elementary school.

Past Patch Coverage, Letters, And Voter Information

• Post a letter: How To Post A Letter About The Hoboken School Project On Patch

• Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher And Emily Jabbour Explain Their Stances: Councilwomen Weigh In On Opposite Sides
• Councilman Ruben Ramos Jr. Supports 'No' Vote
• Jan. 11 Board of Education meeting: Watch It Here
• READ MORE: More Residents Submit Letters
• District Q&A: The district has answered 22 questions from the public about the project, including about costs and timing. Click here.
• The district released a new video about the project over the weekend. Click here.
• Check the school district webpage for updates.

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