To The Editor:
Many community members have asked why school districts like Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) need to go to a public referendum for building improvements instead of paying for them through the regular school budget. The answer comes down to how schools in New Jersey are funded and how the state helps cover the costs of large projects.
Our annual school budget pays for the everyday operations of our schools—things like teacher salaries, transportation, utilities, classroom supplies, and routine building maintenance. While we can handle more minor repairs from this budget, it simply cannot absorb the cost of large-scale projects such as replacing HVAC systems, repairing sanitary lines, or upgrading outdated electrical systems without taking away from educational programs for our students.
This is where a bond referendum makes financial sense. When voters approve a referendum, the New Jersey Department of Education provides state funding to offset the costs. Without voter approval, the state will not contribute to these projects, leaving the entire burden on local taxpayers. In fact, if both referendum questions pass this fall, HVRSD will receive $20.2 million in state aidtoward the $84.2 million in project costs. That’s money we’ve already paid into the state system, coming back to benefit our schools and community directly.
Referenda also help districts better plan for the future. Emergency repairs—like the $23,000 heat pump replacement at Toll Gate this past winter—must be paid for immediately out of the operating budget, taking away funds meant for educating our children. By investing in modern, efficient systems through a referendum, we can reduce these emergencies, control long-term costs, and preserve more of our budget for student learning.
Our neighboring districts have used the same approach. This year, Princeton voters approved an $89.1 million referendum, and Lawrence Township passed a $94.9 million referendum, including the kinds of building upgrades HVRSD now needs.
Here’s the reality: if we don’t go through a referendum, all these repairs come from local taxes alone. That would cost families in Hopewell an extra $20.2 million. That approach would not be fiscally responsible.
A referendum is not only about addressing aging facilities—it’s also about using taxpayer dollars wisely. By securing state funding, we reduce the local share of costs and ensure that our schools remain safe, efficient, and focused on what matters most: educating our children.
To learn more visit hvrsd.org/vote
Amanda M. Stylianou, PhD, LCSW
This commentary was written as a community member and was not authorized by or written on behalf of the School Board.
