Superintendent Community Update

The issue is dedicated to answering questions regarding the HVRSD Bond Referendum. I have provided sections that address the frequently asked questions and concerns we hear are circulating in the community. Please share this edition with your neighbors and friends in the community.

What is a bond referendum?

HVRSD is one of many school districts in New Jersey that uses a bond referendum to obtain building restoration and special state funding. By choosing this path, improvements to our schools are estimated at $87 million, which can be offset by funds we would only be eligible for within the referendum process. Through the referendum:

• State aid is committed to contributing $20.3 million toward those costs

• Taxpayers already pay into the state budget, and approval for a bond referendum is the only way some of those funds come back to Hopewell Valley.

The full $87 will not be bonded all at once; it is spread over time as projects are completed.

How to I learn more about the projects proposed in the referendum?

In this edition, there is information about some of the frequently questions regarding projects proposed in the referendum. Community members can also learn more by visiting our website http://hvrsd.org/vote.

Approximately eight years have passed since the last school referendum. That process identified about $60 million worth of building needs, but the proposal was scaled back to $36 million. A number of the projects in that original referendum included replacing roofing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. At the time, the leadership and Board of Education prioritized the roofing and HVAC equipment areas in the worst condition.

HVAC and roofing projects for buildings as large as schools are rarely done all at once. They are done in sections. The sections of roofs which were done in 2016, as well as the HVAC and ventilation work, are not the same projects that are being proposed now—these are sections not done at that time. Unfortunately, as a result of inflation, these projects will cost more than they would have had they been done in 2016. The previous lack of investment in our infrastructure has contributed to the ongoing problems we are facing.

These projects are critical. We have already faced system failures. This past year, we had to evacuate Stony Brook and Bear Tavern due to smoke from failing HVAC systems. We also had to close Bear Tavern Library, which had extensive damage from leaking roofs. All of these are on the referendum.

Other projects address infrastructure issues that will help sure up our main entrances and doors for shelter an safety.

Two school building additions are proposed in the referendum. One is for Toll Gate Grammar School, and the other is for Bear Tavern Elementary School.

Bear Tavern Elementary School’s addition would address the enrollment increase that we are already seeing from the developments. While addressing this need for expansion, we plan to provide sufficient room to accommodate the students housed in trailers outside the main building. These trailers are not only hard to cool and heat; it is a prudent safety measure to have all of our students inside the main building. All outdoor learning spaces will be relocated as part of the renovation, and the trailers at Bear Tavern will remain and used for storage and office space.

At Toll Gate Grammar School we also have students learning in trailers. The trailers do not provide the learning environment our students deserve and they block full access to all sides of the building by our first responders. This project would increase safety for our students and greatly improve their learning experience. All outdoor learning spaces will be relocated as part of the renovation work.

For both additions, classrooms will be appropriately equipped with bathrooms and sinks in compliance with kindergarten regulations.

Security at large gatherings like sports events, marching band competitions and graduation ceremonies has forced school districts to have strict exit and entrance policies. For security reasons, spectators attending an event at Ackerson Field at our high school are not permitted to leave and re-enter the area when we have events.

If a spectator needs to use the restroom during an event, porta potties are the only option within the fenced-in area. This option does not provide for all individuals in terms of accessibility needs. Currently, if s spectator leaves to access the restrooms outside of Ackerson Field, they may not reenter the event.

By adding restrooms, we can significantly improve the accessibility for our spectators. As we explored this project, we discovered that it would be feasible to include a concession stand as part of the structure. This concession stand could not only enhance the event experience but also generate revenue through food and merchandise sales for various events.

One of the proposed projects in the referendum is to expand and improve field space for students with a multipurpose field to keep them on campus. This would nearly end the daily practice of busing soccer and field hockey players to the Twin Pines Complex across town and baseball players to Hopewell Township Municipal Complex. It would meet the district’s safety goal of keeping all student on campus most of the time. This would include creating two multipurpose fields striped for football, baseball, softball, soccer, field hockey, and boys' and girls' lacrosse. Our marching band and color guards also practice on the fields.

There has been some commentary about the environmental impact of artificial turf fields on the environment. Matrix Turf, the company we used to replace our old and failing turf field at HV Central High School last year, is a greener solution for projects like the one we are proposing in the referendum. Pluses that come with a transition from natural grass to artificial turf include:

• a reduction of water usage as turf does not need to be watered
• a reduction in chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to maintain the playing field
• a reduction in noise pollution and air pollution with lawnmowers running on gas
• less painting of the field and chemical applications
• the state has approved to fund $1.6 million of this project as it addresses drainage issues and a portion of the turf field installation

The benefits of using an artificial turf field include:

• it is more durable than grass. Students can play multiple games and practice all day without tearing up or wearing out the field.
• it can safely be used in a variety of weather conditions year-round.
• it provides a consistently level surface without the tripping hazards of natural grass fields.

Most importantly, this project would bring our students back to our property, where we have access to sports trainers and the advantage of being close to our school buildings.

There has been much commentary regarding our per-pupil cost. Our per pupil cost aligns with the number of programs we offer our students. The extensive amount of academic, extracurricular, enrichment programs and support services we offer constitute the make up of our per pupil cost. Programs and services mean more professional staff - specifically their salaries and healthcare benefits. This makes up a very large portion of our general budgeting costs.

What does this look like in our schools?

• We have small class sizes; on average, our classes are below 20 students in a classroom

• We have increased the number of Special Education programs. These programs require additional adult support and very small class sizes in some cases

• An increase in mental health supports (i.e., additional SACs, partnerships with local mental health care organizations, and the addition of an in-hour Mental Health Clinician)

• Teaming at the middle school

• The number of Elective and Exploratory options we offer our students (i.e., selection of world languages, AP course offerings, Wood and Auto Shops, STEAM Teachers, etc.)

• The variety of sports and extracurricular programs

These offerings and programs are what our community has come to expect and have made families gravitate to our district.

The mail-in Ballots are out. Some community members have found the language on the ballots confusing. Below is an explanation of the mail-in ballots.

Ballot language meets legal requirements, but “legalese” can be hard to decipher. Additionally, some numbers in the bond referendum ballot proposal match the state aid program in a technical rather than a practical sense. Here’s a breakdown of the ballot language.

The first paragraph summarizes proposed renovations, improvements, and upgrades at each Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) school. Segments (e) and (f) spell out that HVRSD cannot appropriate more, nor borrow more, than $87,150,000. That means that even if costs are higher than estimated, HVRSD can only spend up to the total amount authorized by voters.

The second paragraph is more confusing. It begins with “final eligible costs,” which means the portion of costs for each site eligible for the state’s financial aid program. Not all projects are eligible for this program; these dollar amounts are only for costs that meet program criteria. “Final” refers to the fact that the Board of Education has accepted the aid amounts that the state offered.

• Eligible costs total $59,652,998. These projects qualify for the most state aid.

• Other costs of $6,198,586 will qualify for some state aid. This amount reflects a portion of new construction costs. That portion is determined by comparing student count to useful square footage. Even though these costs qualify for state aid, the percentage is much lower for new construction versus renovation of existing facilities.

• Ineligible costs total $21,298,416. These will not qualify for any state aid.

The next-to-last sentence is technically accurate but does not reflect reality. It says, “The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due for the final eligible costs of the projects.” The factor of 40% has been part of the state aid program for years, but the state has never fully funded school improvements at that level. Instead, the actual percentage has been about 35% for most districts.

Guided by its financial advisors, the Board of Education has communicated its bond referendum plans with cost estimates that reflect what is most likely to happen: $20.3 million in state aid. That isn’t on the program paperwork or part of the ballot legalese; it is what financial advisors calculate as a realistic number.

The last sentence is easier to understand. It says, “The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.” The bond proposal is based on the considerable experience of the district’s architects and financial advisors. Even so, market conditions can change. The ballot language acts like a promise to voters: The Board will make these improvements within the dollar amount authorized by voters. This last sentence informs voters that the Board can transfer funds within these designated projects. For example, If the costs of interior or exterior doors turn out lower than anticipated and costs for HVAC equipment are higher than anticipated, funds can be transferred to balance those.

HVRSD cannot transfer funds from the bond budget, such as to pay staff costs or complete a project not part of the ballot list.

Email: rosettatreece@hvrsd.org
Website: https://hvrsd.org/
Location: 425 South Main Street, Pennington, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-737-4002 ( 2301)
Facebook: facebook.com/HVRSD