$0 Tax Impact Watchung Hills School Referendum Up For Vote Thursday

WARREN, NJ — An $8 million Watchung Hills Regional School District referendum will go up for vote on Thursday, which will have a $0 tax impact on residents.

What will the referendum fund?

• Redesign Existing Spaces into New Robotics and STEAM Labs
• Nurse’s Office Alterations
• Ceramics & Photography Lab Alterations
• Locker Room ⅚ and Trainer’s room Alterations
• South Cafeteria Annex Upgrades
• OT/PT Upgrades
• Chiller Replacements
• PAC LED Lighting Upgrade

"The selection of these projects from our long range facilities plan to include in the referendum is not arbitrary. The Board and administration participated in a thoughtful process to prioritize our list of projects in terms of safety, educational impact, and affordability. The upgrades and renovations of our learning spaces are an outgrowth of our 5 Year Strategic Plan through which we have established a district goal to 'Integrate creative, innovative, and interdisciplinary learning throughout the district to empower and inspire students to succeed in a changing global community'," said Superintendent Elizabeth Jewett.

Why now?

The Referendum addresses the District’s critical needs. A passing vote this year ensures the District can take advantage of current Debt Service Aid funding and allows the District to bundle projects together to leverage economies of scale.

It is anticipated that the project will be funded with capital reserve, and state debt service aid (approved for up to 40 percent on eligible project costs), which would result in no tax increase for the residents, according to the district.

"I would like to reiterate that this bond referendum has no impact financially on taxpayers. An affirmative vote will save the district up to 40 percent of the total cost of the projects. The Board expects to fund the remaining local share (approximately 60 percent) of the project using our own capital reserve funds. Should the referendum not pass, we will look to scale back the projects to what we are able to fund with our allotted capital reserve without the State of New Jersey’s reimbursement via debt service aid," said Jewett.

For more information on the referendum click here.

Polling Information

The Special Watchung Hills Regional High School Referendum Election is being held on Oct. 6, between 2 and 8 p.m.

Polling Locations for Special Election:

• Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 will vote at the Pilgrim Congregational Church, 105 Mountain View Road.
• Districts 5, 11, 12 & 13 will vote at the Warren Municipal Court/Meeting Room, 44 Mountain Blvd., Warren Municipal Complex.

For questions about voting, contact the Township Clerk’s office at 908-753-8000, Ext. 223.

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