$158.4M Referendum OK'D By Morris School District Voters

MORRISTOWN & MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Morris School District's first referendum in 30 years has been met with overwhelming approval from taxpaying voters.

On Tuesday, the district held a vote on whether to allocate $158.4 million toward school repairs, upgrades, and more. While $158.4 million sounds like a hefty number, $46.4 million would be covered by the state. That leaves $112 million up to the taxpayer.

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A tally of the votes on Tuesday night showed 3,358 votes in favor and 1,166 opposed to the referendum, a ratio of roughly 3:1 in favor.

"On behalf of the district administration, faculty, and Board of Education, we thank our community for voting and investing in the future of Morris," a MSD statement read. "We will continue to share updates as we move forward on the improvements here at Morris School District."

Taxpayer Effects

With the bond referendum approved, the average Morristown homeowner can expect to see a tax increase of roughly $38. Morris Township residents would see a slightly higher increase of roughly $41 per month.

The district says that the voter-approved referendum is more cost-effective than having to pay for emergency repairs.

Upgrades

1. Infrastructure

○ New windows would let in more natural light and provide improved security and insulation
○ Roofing would be replaced where it is at the end of its useful life, putting buildings at risk for leaks and costly repairs
○ HVAC projects would enhance comfort and efficiency

○ Building management systems monitor equipment to reduce
unnecessary use and utility costs
○ New boilers
○ Conversion from steam to water heat
○ Classroom unit ventilators that bring in fresh outside air, and provide heating and cooling

○ Electrical upgrades would enhance safety and efficiency, and support the modern demands of educational technology. Emergency generators and fire alarms
would be upgraded where needed.
○ Bathrooms would be modernized with touch-free technology, and improved ventilation and accessibility

2) Expanded space

○ The Morristown High School (MHS) cafeteria has seating for 300, around a fifth of the school's enrollment. Expanding the cafeteria would ensure students have adequate time and space for lunch.
○ Frelinghuysen Middle School (FMS) holds World Language instruction and other classes in trailers because of a longstanding space shortage. The workaround is less than optimal for instruction, and transitions to and from the trailers cut into learning time. An eight-classroom addition would bring all students under one roof.
○ Sussex Avenue School had to shift World Language to a cart and might need to repurpose other learning spaces to keep up with high enrollment. A three-classroom addition would relieve crowding and create room for accessibility and safety upgrades.

3) Educational experience

○ The FMS addition would create room for a STEM lab to support modern curriculum standards and prepare students for the STEM Academy at MHS
○ The FMS auditorium has outdated and poorly functioning seats, lighting, and other equipment. A plan to renovate the space and add air conditioning would provide a better experience for students and the community throughout the
year.
○ Renovations at the historic MHS auditorium would include ADA-accessible upgrades, new lighting, and a modern climate control system to create a better experience for students and the community
○ The MHS media center would be transformed into a modern, digital-focused space that aligns with the way students work and study
○ Science lab renovations to create spaces that support STEM learning are proposed at Alexander Hamilton, FMS, and MHS

4) Pool Replacement

○ The Morristown High School pool provides endless opportunities for our students to achieve, stay active, and work as a team. The pool has become part of the district's identity and serves swim teams throughout Morris County, which would have no home base if the pool closes.
○ The pool is at the end of its life and will close if it is not replaced. If voters approve the referendum, the district receives state aid toward the cost of the replacement, and the pool will continue to serve as a school and community resource, as well as a source of community revenue.

Click here to learn more about the infrastructure upgrades and see a school-by-school breakdown of improvements. Or, view the video below: