I’ve spoken with many community members about our schools over the last year, as we’ve sought feedback from the last bond referendum and communicated about our new proposal.
I am proud to say that residents consistently express appreciation for Hopewell Valley Regional School District – for our excellent staff, extensive support services and rigorous education that produces successful graduates.
The Nov. 4 bond referendum is about ensuring that our great district is a sustainable district.
We want to continue providing the standard of education that makes our community a desirable place to live and raise a family.
The bond referendum includes additional space to prevent widespread elementary redistricting and maintain the manageable class sizes that families value and expect. The proposal also covers replacement of end-of-life roofing and HVAC systems, and other critical building issues.
Two questions to meet pressing needs
The referendum is grouped into two questions that address different needs. Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is also approved.
The district’s annual budget includes building maintenance, but it must prioritize educational operating expenses such as utilities and salaries. As infrastructure ages, breakdowns become more frequent and stopgap measures are no longer effective.
Question 1 includes replacement of inefficient, unreliable HVAC systems and end-of-life roofing that causes disruptive leaks. The projects in Question 1 also would:
Add air conditioning to the Timberlane Middle School gym, and replace the flooringReplace deteriorated exterior doors, upgrading safety and efficiencyInstall new classroom doors with enhanced fire resistance and security featuresRenovate/add bathrooms at Bear Tavern and HopewellRenovate Bear Tavern cafeteriaInstall backup well systems at Bear Tavern and TimberlaneModify Toll Gate driveway for improved access, repave Central HS solar lotRefurbish entrance walkways at Timberlane and Bear TavernImprove drainage at Stony Brook to divert water from the building
Some community members can recall attending classes in trailers at Bear Tavern and Toll Gate schools decades ago. Those aging trailers are still there, and students go back and forth to the school buildings throughout the day for lunch, gym, music, and other activities.
We want to finally bring all students back into the schools, and we must create more space to keep up with growing enrollment and the demand for small-group instruction. We have seen 25% increases in enrollment at Bear Tavern and Stony Brook this school year, and already have implemented targeted redistricting.
Expansions at Bear Tavern and Toll Gate would ease pressure on all four district elementary schools and avoid widespread redistricting.
Question 2 projects would:
Build Bear Tavern addition with room for 8 to 10 classroomsBuild Toll Gate addition for 6 classroomsRelocate current Toll Gate nurse’s office to larger space with an ADA-accessible bathroom – the current nurse’s office does not have a bathroomRenovate existing nurse’s office into space for small-group instructionConvert existing room at Toll Gate to physical education office with a student bathroom
Opportunity for upfront funding and state aid
PILOT-funded development has been a topic of discussion in our community since the 2024 referendum. Over the past year, we held productive conversations with Hopewell Township, and the municipality committed $16.1 million in PILOT funding toward the Bear Tavern expansion.
However, that money is not currently accessible because of ongoing litigation over the PILOT development. When the money becomes available, it would be used to pay down the debt service for the Bear Tavern project, reducing property taxes. The PILOT funding would only support improvements at Bear Tavern, not Toll Gate.
If Question 2 passes, the district receives upfront funding to begin planning immediately for projects at both schools, targeting the 2028-29 school year for completion. BOTH questions are equally important to maintain the quality educational environment and experiences that draw young families to our community.
Voter approval for both Question 1 and Question 2 would bring $20.2 million in state funding back to our community. Taxpayers across the state pay into that revenue, but it only goes to districts with successful referenda.
The state aid means taxpayers would not have to cover the full cost of these projects.
Bond borrowing gives school districts a financial edge in other ways: Districts benefit from tax-exempt interest rates, which are lower than consumer rates. A competitive bidding process ensures districts receive the lowest interest rate.
See much more about the bond referendum, including the tax impact and senior tax relief programs, a series of videos, project details and voting information at hvrsd.org/vote.
We appreciate you taking the time to learn about the bond referendum on the future of Hopewell Valley schools. Please remember to vote on or before Nov. 4.
Dr. Rosetta Treece is superintendent of schools at Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
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