Voters Approve $8M Watchung Hills School Referendum

WARREN, NJ — Despite the turnout being poor, residents still voted to approve the $8 million Watchung Hills Regional School District referendum on Thursday, according to unofficial results posted by the Somerset County Clerk's Office.

"We are very excited to start design work on the projects that are part of the referendum and continue upgrading our learning spaces for our students," said School Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Jewett.

The referendum passed with 855 votes in favor over 595 against. These results are cumulative for Warren Township and Watchung Borough.

A total of 1,461 ballots were cast out of 18,792 registered voters (or 7.77 percent of voters).

The referendum will fund a number of capital improvement projects including:

• 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

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.

For more information on the referendum click here.

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