Princeton Schools Breaks Down Plan For $26.9M Bond Referendum

PRINCETON, NJ — In anticipation of the vote for the $26.9 million bond referendum on Dec. 11, Princeton Schools invited the media to break down its plan.

This referendum will be the first of two to address the aging buildings in the school district, Superintendent Steve Cochrane said.

Princeton High School for example is more than 90 years old as it was built in 1927 followed by Littlebrook Elementary built in 1957, Riverside Elementary built in 1959, Johnson Park Elementary built in 1959, Community Park Elementary built in 1962 and John Witherspoon Middle School built in 1965.

The referendum looks to address today’s security concerns or HVAC needs as none of the school district's buildings were designed to address it, Cochrane said.

Specifically the referendum would install secure entryways at every building, upgrade or add the HVAC system and also create more learning space for the growing class sizes.

Here is a break down of the proposed renovations:

Elementary School:

• HVAC upgrades (cafeterias and classrooms)
• Littlebrook: AC added to 23 classrooms
• Riverside: AC added to 16 classrooms, blackbox
• Johnson Park: AC added to 27 classrooms
• Community Park: AC added to 24 classrooms
• Security: secure entries, visitor management
• Accessibility: door hardware, signage
• Electrical service upgrades, additional distribution
• Littlebrook library upgrades
• Littlebrook and Riverside Schools: Control doors to restrict travel through building

Middle School:

• HVAC upgrades (cafeteria and classrooms)
• AC will be added to 44 rooms (incl. 38 classrooms)
• Security: secure entry, visitor management
• Electrical service upgrades, additional distribution
• C to E wing covered connector
• Renovation of old library to one classroom, one small group room, and expansion of nurse’s area
• Acoustic upgrades (cafeteria and commons)
• Added pull-in parking along Franklin Ave.
• Fields:New infield mix/backstops/dugouts
• Scoreboard and Water access at fields

High School:

• Gym AC, boiler upgrade, elevator upgrade
• Selective HVAC control/system upgrades
• Security: secure entry, visitor management
• Electrical service upgrades, fire alarm repair
• Mitigate water issues at auditorium wing
• Guidance renovation and Distributed dining (bookstore)
• Fitness center (new second level), wrestling, fencing areas
• Four additional classrooms, commons, elevator, stair
• Athletics: Concession/bathrooms/water at fields
• Tennis court drainage, lacrosse safety net
• Basketball backboards

The total $26.9 million would include a 27 percent estimated debt service aid from the state of New Jersey to support the cost of this referendum and reduce impact on taxpayers.

However, this new referendum would overlap with an existing bond from 2001 that expires in 2023. This means the new debt from the proposed referendum would overlap for a total of three years adding to the existing $673.69 tax payment residents already pay.

If the proposed referendum were to pass, the increase in a taxpayer's bill would be an additional $56.84 in the first year on averaged assessed home of $837,074.

The second year, the increase will be $61.20 and $105.56 in the third year. Following the third year the bond from 2001 would be paid off, causing a $397.86 reduction in taxes.

And then in following years, taxpayers would continue to pay off the remaining balance on this proposed referendum.

Check out the tax impact below:

(Image via Princeton Public Schools PowerPoint presentation)

Voting for the proposed referendum will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Consolidated Polling Locations include :
1 Community Park School, 372 Witherspoon Street
– Districts 5, 9, 10 11, 21 and 22
2 Riverside School, 58 Riverside Drive West
– Districts 7, 8, 12, 17, 18 and 19
3 Johnson Park School, 285 Rosedale Road
– Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
4 Littlebrook School, 39 Magnolia Lane
– Districts 13, 14, 15, 16 and 20

Residents can learn more about the proposed referendum in a number of ways provided by Princeton Schools:

• Referendum Web Page – The new page (click here) will provide a centralized, one-stop shop for a variety of needed tools and information related to the referendum. Included on the site will be a community "toolkit" providing a detailed FAQ and PowerPoint, various graphs and renderings, as well as voting information.
• Regular Saturday School Parent Tours – Community members will have the ability to review first-hand shovel-ready projects and needed upgrades at Princeton High School that will take place if the referendum passes. The last tour date and times are Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Specific information regarding these tours can be found on the referendum web page.
• Social Media Information Sharing – For information updates on the referendum, the Princeton community can "like" or "follow" the district on Twitter @princetonk12 and Facebook at PrincetonPublicSchoolsNJ to receive fact-based updates, reminders, and information related to the referendum.

Additionally, residents can view the entire PowerPoint presentation by clicking here.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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