By Donald Gilpin

Princeton voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, January 28, to vote on a Princeton Public Schools (PPS) facilities bond referendum with a total cost of $89.1 million if all three questions pass.

“The board separated the referendum into three questions, and if approved, it will allow us to receive up to an estimated $19.9 million in state financial aid to offset the financial impact on taxpayers,” PPS Board of Education (BOE) President Dafna Kedal wrote in a January 21 email. “We encourage everyone to visit princetonk12.org/referendum to learn more about the projects, and of course to vote by January 28.”

Kendal went on to emphasize the importance of the process of informing Princeton residents about the referendum during the past few months. “We have held at least 30 events for community members to come out and tour the schools, learn about the referendum projects, and ask questions,” she wrote. “Our administration and professionals have done a great job explaining the projects and why we need to increase capacity for student enrollment as the municipality’s population grows.”

In addition to the information about the referendum available on the district website noted above, PPS will be hosting two more building tours this weekend, both at Princeton High School (PHS), on Friday, January 24, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and on Sunday, January 26, 10 to 11 a.m. Visit princetonk12.org/buildingtours to sign up for a tour.

Seeking to address enrollment growth from new and existing housing, the referendum proposals include the following building plans: Question 1 calls for expansion and renovation at Community Park Elementary, as well as the installation of new HVAC systems at PHS at a cost of $37.9M. Question 2 would expand and renovate Princeton Middle School (PMS) and create more classroom space at PHS at a cost of $38.3M. Question 2 can pass only if Question 1 passes. Question 3 calls for expansion and renovations at Littlebrook Elementary at a cost of $12.9M and can pass only if Questions 1 and 2 are approved.

The annual tax impact on an average

assessed home value of $853,136 would be $222 if only Question 1 passes, $447 if Questions 1 and 2 pass, and $532 if all three questions pass.

The district would receive $19.9 million in state debt service aid if all three questions are approved by the voters, $11.4M if only Question 1 passes, $18.5M if 1 and 2 pass.

School officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for expansion and renovations in order to continue high-quality programming, to maintain class sizes in the elementary schools, and to sustain neighborhood schools as the community grows and the schools accommodate students from more than 1,000 new residential units in the next few years.

“I am truly excited about this upcoming referendum and the ways it will enhance the educational experience for our students,” said Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster last month. “The proposed projects are the result of several years of thoughtful research and planning by our Board. In anticipation of the enrollment growth from new and existing housing, this referendum provides cost-effective solutions to expand capacity, renovate common areas, and update facilities to better support our students now and in the future.”

Voters can cast their ballots in person from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28 at one of four Princeton polling locations: Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive; Hook & Ladder Fire House, 27 North Harrison Street.; Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place off Rosedale Road; and the PPS Administration Building, 25 Valley Road.

Sample ballots with assigned polling locations have been mailed to every registered voter. To find out where to vote, residents can also use the state’s polling place search tool at voter.svrs.nj.gov.

Further information on the referendum and voting procedures is available on the county clerk’s website at mercercounty.org. It is still possible to vote by mail, but voters must submit completed applications in person at the Mercer County Clerk’s Office, 209 South Broad Street in Trenton by 3 p.m. Monday, January 27, and completed vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by the election date or deposited in a drop box at Princeton Municipal Building, Princeton University Dinky Station/Wawa, Board of Elections at 930 Spruce Street in Lawrence or at the County Clerk’s Office, 209 Broad Street, Trenton.