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Referendum

Referendum Passed - Thank You!

The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District would like to the thank the community for their overwhelming support of our Referendum initiative, which will bring necessary and long-awaited renovations and upgrades to our 11 Schools, Administration Building and Sports Complex.

The passage of this vote reiterates our message that educational programs drive the need to upgrade outdated facilities and create safe and functional environments that support academic, social, and emotional wellness.

Our Children, Staff and Administration thank you for sharing in this vision which will bring our Schools into the 21st Century!

#BRRSDreferendum2023 #BRRSD #referendum #referendum2023 #publicschools #NJ #21stcentury #education #upgrades #renovation

Referendum Details

Referendum District-Wide Facilities Renovation Program

Please direct any referendum-related questions to:

 referendum@brrsd.k12.nj.us

Voter Information

Polling Locations:  March 14, 2023
Polls are open between 6 AM-8 PM

Polling Info Chart

Location Address Voting Districts
Adamsville Primary School 400 Union Ave, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807 03,07,08,14,15,21,27
Bradley Gardens Primary School 148 Pine St., Bridgewater, NJ, 08807 01,02,16
Crim Primary School 1300 Crim Road, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807 09,10,12,18,20,23,24,32
Hamilton Intermediate School Hamilton Ln, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807 06,13,17,22,28,29
Milltown Primary School 611 Milltown Rd, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807 31,33
Van Holten Primary School 256 Van Holten Rd, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807 04,05,11,19,25,26,30,34,35,
36
JFK Primary School 255 Woodmere St., Raritan, NJ, 08869 All Raritan Borough Districts

 

Scheduled Meetings

Meeting Day Date Time Location
Robotics Parent Meeting Tuesday January 10 7:00 pm BRHS Large Cafeteria
Choir Parent Meeting Thursday January 12 7:00 pm BRHS Media Center
Council of Schools Tuesday January 17 9:30 am Wade Building
Raritan Borough Council Tuesday January 17 7:00 pm Municipal Building
Eisenhower PTO Meeting Tuesday January 17 7:00 pm Eisenhower Intermediate School
Van Holten PTO Meeting Tuesday January 17 7:00 pm Van Holten Primary School
Orchestra Parent Meeting Wednesday January 18 7:45 pm BRHS Orchestra Room
Staff In-Service Day Monday January 23 throughout the day All Schools, Staff Only
JFK ELL Event Wednesday February 8 6:00 pm JFK School Cafeteria
Band Parent Meeting Thursday February 16 7:30 pm BRHS Band Room
Community Forum  Tuesday February 21 6:00 pm BRHS Auditorium
Education Foundation Event - An Evening Out for Education Friday February 24 6:00 pm Somerville Elks Lodge
APEX Parent Meeting Saturday February 25 3:00 pm Hamilton Primary School
Panther Athletic Club Thursday March 9 7:00 pm BRHS Small Cafeteria

 

Savings chart

Bridgewater-Raritan residents will have the opportunity to consider two referendum questions that will greatly enhance both our school district and our community 

Question #1 - Zero Tax Impact
Comprised of all Capital/Educational & Facilities Infrastructure Projects listed herein.

Question #2 - Tax Impact
Comprised of a Middle School Addition which would allow for a 6th Grade re-alignment resulting in a traditional 6, 7, 8 Middle School and also free up space at the primary schools to allow for the implementation of a Full Day Kindergarten Program.

Tax Calculator

Current Debt Service Payments will be Ending in 2023

This will offset the new debt being assumed under the targeted March 2023 Referendum.

State Aid is Available!

  • PROJECTED Financial assistance from the state
  • 34% SAVINGS on eligible projects (Not all projects are eligible)
    • Must be funded through a REFERENDUM
    • Must be tied to EDUCATION OR REHABILITATION
  • Debt Service Aid from the state helps to pay down the bond and this helps reduce the impact on the taxpayer.

** Current Debt Service Aid Calculations are estimated and based upon 4.5% interest rates subject to change based upon review and approval by DOE.

Referendum Priorities

Enhanced Learning Environments

Educational Programs drive the need to update facilities. The School Community believes that the students deserve facilities that support the academic, social, emotional, wellness and creative opportunities available to them.

 

Student & Staff Safety

The safety of the students and staff has always been a priority. However, now more than ever, it is crucial to ensure that our schools have all the physical systems and technologies available to protect our students & staff.

 

Keep Up-to-Date with Operations

So much of what keeps school/facilities running smoothly is the condition of the systems and infrastructure “behind the scenes.” The roofing, windows, heating systems, tech network, and much more are at the core of keeping a building running. Although they go unnoticed in day to day use, it is crucial to keep these systems in good condition.

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Why Now?

  • While the Board of Education and Administration have successfully addressed many facility needs over the years, the amount of work necessary cannot be completed within the operating budget; WE NEED TO DO MORE...
  • We are dealing with aging schools, (OLDEST = 61.0 YEARS OLD) Some with original windows, doors, and other infrastructure items that have reached the end of their life expectancy.
  • Current INTEREST RATES are on the rise and we’d like to secure the rate while still somewhat reasonable.
  • UP TO 34% DEBT SERVICE AID is available on eligible projects. If approved by the Department of Education, this could mean MILLIONS in savings for Bridgewater-Raritan!
  • CURRENT DEBT SERVICE AID PAYMENTS ARE ENDING and therefore, the new debt being assumed under the March Referendum, won’t be adding to an already existing debt.

What We Are Proposing

The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will request funding for a DISTRICT-WIDE FACILITIES RENOVATION PROGRAM to include potential INFRASTRUCTURE + CLASSROOM RENOVATION PROJECTS and an ADDITION, via a Referendum Vote on March 14, 2023.

Our Facilities in Need:

The oldest building sections in our school building are:
61 Years Old

Dealing with aging schools, some with original windows, doors, and other infrastructure items that have reached the end of their useful life expectancy. 

Boy sketch notes

What Would Be Done

The proposed Referendum would provide much needed facilities upgrades and renovations that would allow our facilities to support an exciting and progressive curriculum. Projects include: