To the Editor:
The Hopewell Valley Regional School District takes its responsibility to inform the public about the Nov. 4 bond referendum seriously.
The district has been informing the community and answering questions about a potential bond referendum since January through various materials and outreach opportunities. The mailer, which was reviewed and approved by the County Executive Superintendent, was sent to provide information to every household, including those without students in our schools who do not receive district communication. The mailer highlights the opportunity for $20.2M in state aid and other critical facts, and invites residents to learn more at a Virtual Town Hall on Oct. 9.
The Town Hall will feature a panel of district leaders and professional consultants who will discuss the referendum and answer questions from community members.
To educate voters about a referendum, it is appropriate and necessary to describe current building conditions and how the proposed projects would improve the schools. Additionally, one of the main reasons districts pursue a referendum is to bring state revenue back to the community. It is important to share that fact with voters. The district also has been addressing voters’ questions about the difference between the state aid that comes with a voter-approved referendum and potential PILOT revenue that has been pledged by Hopewell Township.
The district encourages community members to participate in the process by voting, but does not advise them how to vote. Any signage in the community with a “vote yes” message is not paid for by the district.
Our efforts to inform the community have included:
- Listening tour meetings, where we heard feedback asking us to broaden our communications to reach the community beyond school district families.
- Tours of each of our school buildings, following Board of Education meetings, to invite the public to see the facilities challenges. The tours began in January 2025.
- Administration and board member attendance and outreach at community events.
- Flyers and a mailer outlining the cost of the projects and the estimated tax impact for each community for each of the two questions.
- An extensive website with FAQs – including questions we have heard during community conversations. The website includes a full list of projects, costs, and estimated tax impact.
There is a lot to learn about the referendum, and we appreciate that our community has been engaged throughout the process. School districts have a responsibility to be open and to make every reasonable effort to provide voters with the background they need to make a well-informed decision. We encourage community members to join us at the Virtual Town Hall on Oct. 9 using this link.
Please see hvrsd.org/vote for more information on the referendum. If you do not see the answer to your question on the website, email [email protected].
Sincerely,
Rosetta Treece, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Hopewell Valley Regional School District
