Hoboken School Referendum Survey Results Released

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken Board of Education has released the results of a community Feedback Survey about the recent $241 million referendum for a new Hoboken High School and other district upgrades. READ MORE: Hoboken School Referendum: Tuesday Last Day To Fill Out Survey

The referendum was voted down on Jan. 25.

Almost 1,200 people filled out the survey, the board said.

While "the board is continuing to review the results in greater detail," the board said in a release, "From the initial review, the board has gleaned a few themes that were prevalent across the survey responses. Those themes include commentary on the proposed cost of the project, questions about the necessity of the project, and feedback/concerns around the public amenities that were included in the project."

Feedback

According to a release from the board with the survey results:

80 percent of respondents owned versus renting.

66 percent of respondents are parents / guardians to a child/children under the age of 18.

Roughly 65 percent of total respondents, or 776 people, answered the question “If you didn’t support the referendum, why?”:

Reasons For Their Vote

• 81 percent said “I didn’t like the cost of the project”
• 70 percent said “I thought there were too many amenities”
• 41 percent said “I wanted more options”
• 34 percent said “I didn’t think the project was necessary”
• 34 percent said “I wanted to provide input before making a decision”
• 8 percent said “I liked the project but needed more time to think about it”

*The question allowed respondents to choose more than one answer

64 percent of all respondents said there were various specific aspects of the long-range facilities plan on which they wanted more information.

The board wrote:

"The board recognizes the public’s concern with overall cost and the desire of the city’s taxpayers to reduce their overall tax exposure. A project of this type, especially when coupled with a lack of infrastructure investment in our schools for over 50 years, is, by its nature, an expensive undertaking.

"The board’s genuine intent was to deliver to the Hoboken community 21st-century facilities to meet the needs of our 21st-century learners. That being said, the board an administration will explore various options to reduce and defray the overall cost of a much needed new school.

"The board has gained important insights throughout this process. While many have inquired about a future referendum date/new plan, a crucial takeaway from the January referendum is that better communication and engagement with the community is essential before the next proposal can take shape.

"The board has already begun reaching out to community members and will begin to host roundtable discussions to engage residents and spark conversation about what Hoboken taxpayers would like to see in a new building, ideas surrounding cost reduction, and facts about the district as a whole.

"What will inspire these conversations, engagement and ultimately another project is the Hoboken student body. The board is proud of their achievements and the tireless work of the district’s teachers, administrators and staff. The demographic and enrollment data presented to the community in conjunction with the referendum is factual. Enrollment is growing, and the need for increased middle school space, a new high school to house innovative programs and future readiness, and additional elementary school space, is very real.

"The board hopes that the majority of the city’s residents will be able to engage and participate in these conversations. The board also recognizes that Hoboken is a city filled with citizens that have multiple demands on their time. If you have a question regarding the Hoboken Public School District, please reach out to the Board directly at HobokenBOE@hoboken.k12.nj.us.

"The Hoboken Board of Education looks forward to hearing from you, working with you and putting a plan together that the community will support."

Learn more about the Hoboken Public School District at: http://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us

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