Everyone wants value for their tax dollars—and rightly so. But protecting that value requires forward-thinking solutions, not recycled criticisms. It requires planning, not procrastination.
We’re proud that the Hopewell Valley Regional School District brings immense value to our community. Our schools are the reason many families move here and developers build here. Three of our schools are among Mercer County’s top 10 performing schools.
That’s no accident—it’s the result of decades of investment, vision, and commitment from our community.
But excellence can’t be taken for granted. We are at a turning point. Our buildings are aging. Our student population is growing. And the challenges we’re facing—overcrowded classrooms, failing HVAC systems, outdated learning spaces—can’t be solved with stopgap measures.
That’s why we’re moving toward a November 4 bond referendum. This proposal addresses the most urgent facility needs, with substantial state funding if approved by voters. It includes critical infrastructure improvements—replacing end-of-life HVAC systems and deteriorating roofs—and building expansions to keep class sizes manageable and neighborhood schools intact.
Hopewell Township Committee affirmed the need for space by making a $16.1 million commitment to support the Bear Tavern School expansion. That allocation would come from PILOT revenue collected from housing developers. When the funds become available, they will be applied directly to reduce debt service on the Bear Tavern project.
We understand there’s a lot of noise around the referendum that includes criticisms and outdated narratives. That’s why we’ve been encouraging our community members to learn more and even see the needs for themselves by touring our buildings before Board of Education meetings.
We will continue sharing extensive information about building needs and the realities of modern education this summer and fall. Our website, hvrsd.org/vote, will be updated as more details become available.
Why act now?
Some in our community suggest now isn’t the right time. Delaying these projects won’t make the needs disappear; the costs of making improvements will only rise, and any projects completed outside a referendum will be full price for taxpayers, without the state aid discount.
Plus, students are already paying the price for delay. At Bear Tavern, children are learning in outdated, crowded modular units because the main building can’t accommodate all students. These spaces were meant to be temporary.
A previous commentary questioned why the district doesn’t have “unhoused students,” according to a state enrollment classification. It’s because those aging modulars still count as roofs over our kids’ heads. Space is about to get even tighter, as more students are on the way from new housing.
These conditions are not sustainable—and certainly not acceptable in a community that prides itself on educational excellence.
Meanwhile, our facilities continue to strain under the weight of deferred maintenance. At Toll Gate, failing heat pumps had to be replaced mid-winter. Our staff worked overtime to install them and save on labor costs. Still, the $23,000 materials cost came straight from the district’s annual budget—with no state aid. This is the kind of financial strain we face when critical repairs come without long-term planning.
This referendum isn’t about luxuries—it’s about core infrastructure, safety, and providing appropriate spaces to meet students’ educational needs. It would allow us to address major issues comprehensively and efficiently, instead of through piecemeal repairs that drain our resources and leave students and staff in limbo.
Planning for modern education
Not everyone in our community has a child in the district. But everyone benefits from a well-functioning school system—and everyone should understand how education has evolved.
Modern classrooms aren’t one-size-fits-all. Teaching today emphasizes collaboration, differentiation, and targeted instruction. State regulations limit class sizes for students who are medically fragile or have special needs.
Students thrive in spaces that adapt to their needs—whether that’s a full class lesson, small group support, or enrichment. The bond referendum would support these needs with flexible learning spaces.
These aren’t educational frills—they’re essential components of a system preparing students for a world that demands more every year.
A smart financial opportunity
With an approved referendum, the district can tap into state funding specifically earmarked for capital projects. Other communities, including those in Mercer County, have seized this opportunity—and they’re seeing the benefits. Princeton passed an $89.1 million bond referendum in January 2025. Lawrence Township approved a $94.9 million proposal in March 2025.
Their projects are similar in scope to what we’re proposing—HVAC systems, expansions, essential upgrades—and they’re receiving significant state aid.
If we do not hold a referendum, we forfeit the opportunity for state support and guarantee that taxpayers shoulder the full burden of improvement costs.
With clear needs, we are proposing a practical, forward-looking solution—one that protects taxpayers, strengthens our schools, and builds the future our students and families deserve.
Anita Williams Galiano is president of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education. Dr. Rosetta Treece is the superintendent of schools.
Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education building.,
