What You Need To Know About The New Providence School Board Referendum

The New Providence Board of Education distributed a flyer to residents explaining how the money at stake in an upcoming referendum vote would be spent. Voters will decide whether or not to put $15.9 million dollars towards improving the districts' science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, as well as increasing enrollment, improving aging infrastructure and improving security.

Before the Sept. 27 vote, two Open Community Discussions will be held. The first will take place Thursday, Sept. 8 in the media center at Allen W. Roberts Elementary at 7:00 PM. The second will be Sept. 26 in the cafeteria at Salt Brook at 7:00 PM.

The average tax impact is expected to be about $65 per home annually, taking into consideration average home value in the town and retirement debt.

Polls will be open Sept. 27, from 7:00 am to 9:00 PM. Residents can find their polling location through a tool on the NJ Department of State's website.

STEM Improvements

A classroom at Salt Brook Elementary and locker rooms at Allen W. Roberts Elementary would be remodeled into a specialty STEM classrooms. New Providence High School would have two classrooms converted into STEM rooms, as well as turning an existing wing into a universal science lab. The high school would also add a graphic arts room and an industrial arts room.

Enrollment

All four schools in the district would receive additional instruction spaces under the proposed plan as a way to increase enrollment.

Salt Brook Elementary would have its locker rooms converted into "small group instruction rooms" and Allen W Roberts Elementary would have their locker rooms renovated into a classroom.

New Providence Middle would have its science storage room turned into a resource room, as well as the addition of a new classroom and a link to the already standing gym.

New Providence High would see their media center expanded into a universal science lab.

Infrastructure

General infrastructure improvements would be made at all New Providence schools if the referendum is passed. Notably, Salt Brook, New Providence High and Middle would get new roofs. The middle school would also see improvements made to their gym, while the high school would have improvements made to the track, among other changes.

Security

New locks would be installed on exterior doors, and specially designed classroom locks wold be installed on all classroom doors, district wide. Secure Vestibule Entries would be created at the main entrances at all four schools.

The flyer can be viewed online here.

Image via Shutterstock.