By Donald Gilpin

As students and teachers, staff, and administrators, all made their final preparations for Tuesday’s Princeton Public Schools’ (PPS) opening day, Board of Education (BOE) members have been setting their sights on two longer-term goals: the selection of a new superintendent and an upcoming referendum to fund new classrooms and core spaces.

Both BOE initiatives are expected to culminate early next year, with an $85-$90 million referendum vote planned for January 28, 2025 and the BOE hoping, by the first months of next year, to find the right new leader for the PPS to take over from Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster on July 1, 2025.

On April 30, 2024 the BOE voted to submit paperwork to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) seeking approval for a referendum to fund new classrooms and core spaces at Community Park Elementary, Littlebrook Elementary, Princeton Middle School (PMS), and Princeton High School (PHS). At last week’s BOE meeting, Board Long Term Planning Co-Chair Beth Behrend reported that district architects will soon be presenting plans to the Princeton Planning Board for comments, though approval is not required.

Following the courtesy review by the Planning Board, the plans then go to the NJDOE for comments, followed by further review by the Princeton BOE and approval of a ballot question sufficiently in advance of the January 28 target election date.

Behrend stated that the BOE will be assisted by the Laura Bishop Communications firm in providing referendum information to the community. Basic information will be available by September 9, and more detailed information, responses to the community’s questions, and info sessions will be provided as the fall progresses.

“Communication efforts will be ramped up in November and December to ensure that the community is informed prior to early voting for the January referendum,” said Behrend.

The BOE, according to “FAQ for 2025 Referendum” on the PPS website, estimates that the referendum, if approved by Princeton voters, would result in an additional tax of about $551.70 on the average assessed home of $848,037, but the specific dollar amount and referendum questions for voters to consider will not be determined until after the NJDOE reviews the application and advises which portion of the costs is eligible for New Jersey State funding. The state will reimburse up to 34 percent of principal and interest on bonds for renovations.

The “FAQ” document emphasizes the growth of Princeton and the addition of 1,100 new residential units, as well as the aging of current school facilities.

“Without the funds provided from the referendum, redistricting will happen sooner, and it will be difficult to maintain small class sizes and the neighborhood school feel that currently characterizes the elementary schools,” the “FAQ” web entry states.

Community Park and Littlebrook, the two elementary schools located closest to the new housing units, would both be enlarged, with new classrooms. Core and specialized spaces would also be added or renovated at the two schools.

Planned additions and renovations at PMS will focus on all aspects of the academic program and will include covered walkways and outdoor learning space. Regular classrooms and multifunctional rooms that can be configured for small group instruction will be added, as will “purpose-designed” spaces that will include two new science labs and reconfigured rooms for vocal music and band, accommodating larger ensembles.

Renovations at PHS will include the addition of three new classrooms plus a room for small group instruction and two galleries that can also be used as presentation and instructional space, as needed. Updates to the PHS HVAC are also planned in order to bring these outdated systems up to par.

In addition to referendum plan updates, last week’s BOE meeting also featured a report by BOE member Betsy Baglio, who is leading the committee planning the new superintendent search. She pointed out that her five-person committee would be handling the logistics of the search but the full Board would participate in interviewing candidates and in all other aspects of the selection process.

“The process is underway,” said Baglio, emphasizing that the community would be provided with updates on the search every month until the individual selected for superintendent is named.

The current 2024 Board will not take action on the approval of the next superintendent. The work must begin now as it’s “hiring season,” Baglio said, but the appointment must be made by the 2025 Board.

Two members of the current 10-member Board, Baglio and Brian McDonald, will be stepping down at the end of this year, and a third member, Mara Franceschi, is running for re-election in November, with five new candidates also on the ballot. Baglio and BOE President Dafna Kendal met with the Board candidates last week to bring them up to date and answer their questions about the search and their role in it.

The BOE plans to have the new superintendent’s contract approved by the executive county superintendent in time for their March BOE meeting.

Baglio stated that her committee is currently in the process of selecting a search firm with a September 4 deadline for applicants. The full Board will review all proposals from search firms, after which five members of the Board will interview selected firms.

In addition to monthly updates for the community, Baglio added that the BOE will add a page on their website regarding the superintendent search. “We look forward to engaging all members of the community in the process surveys and focus groups, with the final goal of identifying a wonderful new leader of our schools,” she said.