Holmdel Approves $40.3 Million School Spending Plan

HOLMDEL, NJ — A majority of Holmdel Township residents voted Tuesday night to approve a $40.3 million school spending plan. A total of 1,695 residents voted, with 60 percent (1,020) in favor, and 39 percent (675) opposed. These are unofficial vote tallies by Monmouth County; provisional ballots are pending. See the vote results here.

The Holmdel 2020 initiative is a series of planned improvements, such as building a new robotics room at Satz and converting the high school's wood shop to an engineering room. There are athletic upgrades as well, like all-new locker rooms at Satz and replacing the turf and adding new stadium lights at Roggy Field. Most parents with children currently enrolled in the public schools voted in favor of the referendum, even if it meant their property taxes will go up to pay for it.

"One of the reasons my family moved to Holmdel six years ago was because of the school system," said Jay Lowenstein, 39, whose 9-year-old daughter will enter Satz by the time renovations are complete. "If we're not going to invest in the schools, then why are we here? I think it's important that Holmdel stay ahead of the curve. The presentation the superintendent gave on Back-to-School night impressed me, and the way they're going about this impressed me."

He gestured around him to the rolling grounds of William R. Satz intermediate school, where kids practiced football and parents sat in lawn chairs, watching.

"This is the draw of Holmdel," he said. "The schools."

"I heard some moms tell me that some of our athletic facilities are really out of date and we can't host certain events," said Christine Greiner, who has a fourth grader and a freshman at Holmdel High. "Specifically, I think I heard our tennis courts weren't able to accommodate a recent championship. Which is shocking, because in this town you would think quite differently."

The high school tennis court is actually sinking into the earth. As part of the district's plan, the court will be relocated and a second one added.

"But my dad lives in Holmdel and he told me he's voting no," she added. "I was like, 'Aughh, don't tell me that!'"

Apparently, others in Holmdel agree with him.

"I really don't think our schools need that much money. Really, how many computers are they going to buy? They absolutely have not convinced me," said Alexandra Polyakov, 68, before she cast her 'no' vote. She has lived in Holmdel for 20 years. "There is no necessity for this. Kids have computers at home and they do very well."

Her husband, voting with her, agreed.

"I'm a former teacher and I respect the needs of the students," he said. "But this is ridiculous. They could build a robotics room for less money."

"I voted no because of the last statement the school district put out that said they could reallocate funds between all the projects. So they could underbid them all and then push the money elsewhere and it's only the Board of Ed. deciding," said John Guaragno, whose son is currently at Holmdel High. "So, if you want to do something, make it specific. They have no project plan. There are details missing that I thought were important."

Many of those with adult children, or whose children are currently at the high school, told Patch they voted 'no' this evening. Some did not want to give their names.

"I have to live with these women!" joked one mom of a high schooler as she ran past.

Construction on the first of the projects starts when school ends this June. All the work should be completed by the beginning of the 2020 school year, hence its nickname, "Holmdel 2020."

Jeralyn Primerano, 50, has two children who are in college; the youngest is a junior in high school. Her children will be long gone by the time Holmdel 2020 is complete. She voted "yes" this evening.

"I just think it's important the district keep improving," she said. "I think it's important we keep Holmdel strong, especially in math and science. That's why we came to this town. For the school system."

All photos taken by Carly Baldwin/Patch