How Morris School District's Referendum Could Affect Taxpayers

MORRISTOWN/MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — For the first time in almost three decades, the Morris School District is holding a bond referendum for residents to vote on.

On Sept. 15, residents in Morris Township and Morristown will determine whether the school district allocates several million dollars to go towards infrastructure improvements to the district's 10 schools.

The district is suggesting $158.4 million in improvements, $46.4 million of which would be covered by state aid.

Governor Mikie Sherrill’s recently proposed state budget calls for a roughly $21,000 loss in state aid for the Morris School District, a less than one percent loss compared to last year. School officials told Patch that the “slight reduction” in state aid will not impact the district’s proposed projects.

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

“If approved, this bond referendum would help us improve our schools to give our current and future students a place they can thrive academically and socially,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anne Mucci.

The district added that the voter-approved referendum would be more cost-effective compared to having to pay for emergency repairs.

Infrastructure Improvements

○ 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

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.

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

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:

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Residents will vote on the referendum on Sept. 15. There will be a virtual meeting on the referendum via Zoom on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

Additionally, in-person meetings on the referendum will be held on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Morristown & Morris Township Public Library, and another on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Frelinghuysen Middle School.

Click here to learn more about the school district's referendum.