A bond referendum is simply a vote. New Jersey public school districts are required to ask permission from local voters when they want to sell bonds to borrow money. Funds from a bond referendum are often used to finance large-scale school improvements and additions.  

This allows the district to spread the payments over time, similar to how a homeowner uses a home equity loan to pay for major updates. It also enables the district to access a type of state aid only available through an approved referendum.

The Branchburg Board of Education and administration worked closely with architectural advisers to conduct a comprehensive review of district facilities, identifying the most pressing needs related to safety, infrastructure, and space.

Guided by the district’s mission and a strong commitment to enhancing the educational experience for both current and future students, the selected projects address long-term priorities across all three schools.

The referendum proposal focuses on:

• Improving learning spaces to better support student engagement and academic growth

• Upgrading critical systems, such as HVAC units and fire alarms, to improve safety, comfort, and efficiency

• Maximizing state aid, bringing $13.5 million back to Branchburg to reduce the local tax burden

• Enhancing environments for teaching and learning, with updated spaces designed to support collaboration, hands-on learning, and the effective use of technology

Yes, the district received approval in May from the state Department of Education to proceed with a special election on September 16, 2025. The state thoroughly reviewed the referendum projects and agreed to pay 19% of the $70 million total project cost. That is $13.5 million that Branchburg residents already paid to the state through taxes. It can be brought back to invest in Branchburg schools through voter approval of the referendum.

The state of New Jersey allows school districts to hold bond referenda on specific dates in January, March, September, November (General Election), and December. Branchburg’s Board of Education chose Tuesday, September 16.  

This was the earliest possible date for a referendum after receiving approval from the state Department of Education in May. This date also allows the district to: 

• Time the referendum with the payoff of debt from a previous referendum to keep the tax rate from fluctuating significantly 

• Quickly move forward with the projects outlined in the proposal if voters approve the plan 

The district is leading an information campaign to educate all Branchburg residents about the September 16 vote and how it impacts the future of our schools, children, and community. The campaign includes: 

• Continuous updates on this website and FAQs 

• Informational Q&A sessions with the district’s professional advisers and administrators.

• Updates shared via social media, news media, township-wide mailings, flyers, yard signs, banners, and other channels. 

Branchburg residents are also encouraged to send referendum-related questions to referendum@branchburg.k12.nj.us. All questions will be referred to the appropriate person and answered as quickly as possible. 

If the referendum fails, the district would have to complete critical infrastructure work, like roof repairs and HVAC upgrades – without $13.5 million in state aid to help cover the costs. The work would have to be spread over a number of years, since the district could not budget for all of it at once and still remain within the 2% cap. Without state aid, 100% of the costs would fall to taxpayers.

Other projects would also need to be postponed or not completed, which could lead to expensive repairs and maintenance issues in the future. 

The cost of these repairs would compete directly with classroom resources and programs. For example, fixing a leaky roof or replacing an aging boiler could mean less money available for teachers, textbooks, or extracurricular opportunities. 

If the Stony Brook addition wasn’t built, we could also see larger class sizes and would have to consider renting trailers to provide adequate classroom space to address enrollment growth.

The referendum offers a strategic and cost-effective option to replace debt from a previous referendum with new debt – keeping the general operating budget available for investing in classroom resources and academic programs, rather than infrastructure needs.

Enrollment was steady in the district for the last decade, but a change is now underway; enrollment increased by about 124 students from the 2022-2023 school year to the 2024-2025 school year. 

The district hired a demographer in 2022 to analyze and project future enrollment. The study found that enrollment is expected to grow by 310 students by 2026-2027, driven by new housing developments in Branchburg. The district remains committed to maintaining class sizes and the high-quality education that Branchburg is accustomed to. The referendum’s proposed improvements can help by providing the necessary space to accommodate that growth.

The way school districts educate children today is different than even a decade ago. In the past, classrooms were largely designed for whole-group instruction, with most learning taking place in a single room led by one teacher. Today, however, education is much more individualized, with schools required to provide a variety of specialized supports and enrichment opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom teaching.

Districts need more space for small group instruction to accommodate mandated support services, such as speech and physical therapy, psychological services, special education, and ESL (English Language Learners). In Branchburg Township School District, many of these services are provided in-house, which is both beneficial for Branchburg children and cost-effective for the district. By offering these supports within the district, Branchburg avoids paying additional tuition and transportation costs to send students to out-of-district placements. At the same time, bringing these important services into Branchburg schools means the district must have adequate space. 

In addition, today’s schools must accommodate hands-on, collaborative learning in group settings. This requires flexible learning environments that are different from the traditional rows of desks found in older classrooms. 

Ultimately, these changes reflect the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of every Branchburg child. 

If the referendum is approved, Branchburg Central Middle School would: 

• Replace aging HVAC units in the Main Gym and Administrative Wing with more efficient systems with energy efficient systems to improve climate control and reduce maintenance costs 

• Add new lighting, windows, etc. to enhance aesthetics and security

• Renovate the Music Room and two Art Rooms to match and support the student creativity occurring in these spaces 

• Convert the Glass Lab Room and two science labs into Design & Technology spaces for innovative learning and collaboration 

• Add air conditioning to the Auxiliary Gym and Locker Room to make these spaces comfortable year round

• Renovate the Auxiliary Gym stage and equipment to increase functionality and comfort; replace bleachers; convert the lockers to restrooms and small group instruction space to support student learning

If the referendum is approved, Stony Brook Elementary School would: 

• Construct a new 30,000-square-foot addition to provide enhanced learning spaces for student growth and collaboration featuring:

  1. 1. • 12 classrooms, including a dedicated wing for special subjects

        • A gymnasium with stage to support student programs and community use

        • New restrooms, a nurse’s suite, and an expanded cafeteria kitchen

• Replace aging HVAC units with more efficient systems in the Media Center and Band Room to improve climate control and reduce maintenance costs 

• Replace the roof over the kitchen area to avoid leaks

• Replace classroom storage, cabinetry, and sinks, as well as hallway flooring throughout the building to improve student learning environments

• Divide two larger classrooms into four separate spaces for classrooms and small group instruction to maximize instructional space

• Renovate the Art Room and Music Room to match and support the student creativity occurring in these spaces 

• Renovate the Media Center and Music Room to become a Media Center, Design & Technology Lab, and classroom to create modern spaces that foster innovation and creativity

• Expand and renovate the Main Office, including reception area overlooking the main entry, a nurse’s suite, conference room and faculty restroom, to enhance security and visibility

If the referendum is approved, Whiton Elementary School would:   

• Replace the fire alarms with modern voice evacuation systems to align with what is already in the other schools 

• Replace the air handling units in the Cafeteria and replace the aging South Wing HVAC unit with a more efficient system to improve climate control and reduce maintenance costs 

• Replace the roofs over the B Wing and Cafeteria to avoid leaks

• Add new stucco and window operators to improve aesthetics and security

• Replace classroom storage, cabinetry, and sinks throughout the building, as well as flooring at the front entrance to improve student learning environments

• Upgrade classroom lighting to LED; replace switches and controls 

• Renovate the Art Room to match and support the student creativity occurring in this space 

• Replace and move the pre-kindergarten/kindergarten playground and add an open-air classroom to enhance and provide better security for outdoor spaces

Stony Brook is facing space constraints that will only intensify as enrollment continues to rise. Currently, the school’s “gymnatorium” serves as a gym, cafeteria, performance space, and more – sometimes simultaneously. Every available classroom and office is in use, with several spaces shared because of limited capacity. This overcrowding affects our ability to provide small-group instruction, testing accommodations, and specialized programming. Additionally, with just two student bathrooms serving over 300 students, daily disruptions are frequent.

To better understand this issue, the district hired a demographer in 2022. The demographer found that after years of decline, enrollment is now expected to rise due to new housing developments. Enrollment is projected to be 1,613 students by the 2026-2027 school year, which is approximately 400 more students than the 2022-2023 school year. District administrators are watching these enrollment numbers closely and have seen that actual enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year was even higher than the demographer’s projections. Space is critical to maintaining and enhancing the educational offerings at Branchburg’s three schools, especially Stony Brook. 

If voters approve the referendum, Stony Brook would gain a 30,000-square-foot addition. The addition would allow the district to create a dedicated specials wing for art, music, and band, giving students easy access to the auditorium stage nearby. The new gym and stage would also provide a dedicated space for physical education year-round and be available for community use.

Additionally, a renovated Media Center and new Guidance Suite positioned near classrooms would better support student well-being. A new Design & Technology Lab would complete this hub, mirroring similar spaces in the district’s other schools and creating a flexible learning environment to support collaboration and design thinking.

Expanding Stony Brook would also allow the district to create a more intentional and developmentally aligned school structure:

• Pre-K–2nd Grade: Whiton Elementary School

• 3rd–5th Grade: Stony Brook School

• 6th–8th Grade: Branchburg Central Middle School

This configuration supports a more focused approach to instruction and student support. With younger learners together at Whiton, we can better tailor environments and routines to early learners, while Stony Brook can provide expanded academic offerings and resources designed for upper elementary students.

It also opens the door to thoughtfully exploring future enhancements to our early childhood programming, including potential opportunities to expand pre-kindergarten services within the existing Whiton campus.

We anticipate the new Stony Brook addition and grade level changes would begin during the 2028-2029 school year. 

As part of the referendum planning process, the district worked with architects to explore all options including whether Old York School could be used to address space needs. 

While it may seem like a simple solution to use an existing building, renovating Old York would cost $11 million more than the Stony Brook addition. The building would require major upgrades to its mechanical, electrical, fire alarm, and plumbing systems, and the classroom sizes and layouts don’t meet current instructional standards.   

Beyond renovation costs, reopening the building would require hiring additional staff such as a principal, nurse, custodians, and support staff and expanding transportation routes. These ongoing expenses would significantly increase the district’s annual operating budget. 

Currently, Old York is leased to two tenants. 

The district and Board of Education have carefully weighed options for both properties and have thus far determined that not selling them is the best option. They reached this conclusion because: 

• Old York School is leased to two tenants, bringing an estimated $180,000 in revenue annually. That income helps pay off debt associated with the school.

• Retaining Old York School and the Harlan School Road properties helps protect these areas from being sold to developers and turned into more housing, which would further increase district enrollment.

• A voter-approved referendum allows the district to access $13.5 million in state aid.

The new Design & Technology Labs at Branchburg Central Middle School and Stony Brook Elementary will give students access to hands-on, collaborative learning experiences that connect directly to real-world skills. These dynamic spaces are designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving—all essential for success in today’s world.

Students will use tools and equipment that support project-based learning, allowing them to design, build, and test their own ideas and innovations. Locating these labs near the Media Centers also creates a cohesive, resource-rich learning environment, with a consistent look and feel across all three schools.

Every Branchburg resident benefits from having strong public schools, regardless of whether they have children attending the schools. Public schools are a primary consideration for people when looking for a place to live, and home market values in Branchburg and every town directly reflect the quality of the local public schools. 

Additionally, infrastructure updates to HVAC units, fire alarms, etc. in the referendum come at a reduced cost due to the added benefit of state aid. Otherwise, these projects would fall entirely on local tax bills.  

Many residents also use Branchburg Township School Districts facilities regularly. The gyms and auditoriums, in particular, are often rented and used by community groups after school hours. A new gym with stage at Stony Brook Elementary School would provide another rental option for the community and could be accessed with an alternate entrance, keeping it separated from the rest of the school building. 

As a location for early education (pre-K through second), outdoor spaces for learning, imagination, and play are critical to children’s development. The referendum would replace and move the pre-kindergarten/kindergarten playground; barriers around the new playground would make it safer and more secure. 

An outdoor classroom with amphitheater-style seating and a shaded cover would also provide a unique learning space for students to thrive. 

As any homeowner knows, building systems need to be updated on a semi-regular basis to ensure they are running efficiently and serving their purpose of making environments comfortable. Several units at the three schools have been identified as needing replacement. 

One of the main reasons to complete this work through a referendum, rather than the general operating budget, is that the district would receive state aid to offset the local costs. The state pays the maximum amount of aid for projects like these. 

The fire alarm systems have been recently updated at BCMS and Stony Brook. Whiton’s fire alarms would also be upgraded to have modern voice evacuation systems. This project would be completed whether the referendum passes or fails. One of the main reasons to do it through a referendum, rather than the general operating budget, is to receive state aid to offset the local costs. 

The district and architect are committed to completing as much of the work as possible in the summer, when students are not present. Projects like HVAC and roof replacements can be done during the summer period. 

The Stony Brook addition, however, would take more time. The construction team would use temporary partitions and redirect traffic to separate students from the work areas. Our top priority is to ensure safety and minimize disruptions to learning during the construction period.

The projects included in Branchburg’s referendum are estimated to cost $69,885,932. That includes $13.5 million
in state aid.  

This figure includes not only the work on the projects, but also professional and permit fees to support it, as well
as a cushion calculated by the District’s financial advisors to account for market fluctuations and contingencies. 

The state Department of Education thoroughly reviewed Branchburg’s projects and agreed to pay 19% of the total project cost. That is $13.5 million that Branchburg residents already paid to the state through taxes. It can be brought back to invest in Branchburg schools through voter approval of the referendum. 

If voters approve the referendum, the new debt is projected to cost an average of $39/month to the average assessed home in Branchburg. However, residents are already paying for debt from a previous referendum that will be fully paid off in 2025-2026. The difference between the new debt and the expiring debt is referred to as net tax increase. The net tax increase will be an average of $30/month. 

No – this type of state aid is contingent on voter approval of the referendum. 

This is money Branchburg residents have already contributed to the state through taxes. With voter approval, we can bring those dollars back to benefit our own schools.

Property taxes are based on a home's assessed value, which is determined by the municipality for tax purposes. This number is not the same as market value—it’s usually lower.

In Branchburg, the average assessed value of a residential home is $567,121, and this figure is used to calculate the local tax impact of the proposed referendum.

Check your assessed value here.

Net tax impact means that the average assessed home in Branchburg ($567,121) currently pays a portion of their tax bill for school debt from a previous referendum. Those payments will end 2025-2026. The difference between the new debt and the expiring debt is referred to as net tax increase. The net tax increase will be an average of $30/month.   

If the referendum is approved, the district will issue a 25-year bond.  

The district, in partnership with financial consultants and its architect, thoroughly researched the proposed projects and their associated costs and included a contingency amount in the estimated total. If actual costs exceed what voters approved, plans will need to be adjusted to fit the budget. 

If voters approve the bond referendum, the district can only spend that money on projects outlined in the state-approved proposal. If actual costs are lower than what’s estimated, the district will use the money to reduce the debt and therefore reduce taxes.  

Bonds do not have a specific interest rate the same way someone might secure a loan before purchasing a car or house. They are sold for the best bid on the public bond market. Because of that, the district won’t know the precise interest rate until if and when voters approve the referendum. Branchburg Township School District works with financial advisers and bond counsel who closely watch the bond market to determine an appropriate estimate of total costs. 

The State of New Jersey has several programs for property tax relief.  

• The Property Tax Reimbursement, known as "Senior Freeze," offers property tax reimbursements for senior citizens and people with disabilities who qualify. Visit the Senior Freeze webpage or call (800) 882-6597.   

• A second plan is called the Stay NJ property tax credit program, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Visit the Stay NJ webpage. 

• Other current programs are the NJ $250 Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction and the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR). 

All registered voters in Branchburg can vote on September 16. If you are not registered to vote because your address or name recently changed, you must do so by August 26. 

If you registered for another election (such as president or governor), and your name and address have not changed, your registration should be valid for this referendum. Check your voter registration status to be sure. 

Polls will be open on September 16 from 6 am - 8 pm at:

• BRANCHBURG MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 1077 ROUTE 202

• STATION HOUSE, 412 OLIVE STREET, NESHANIC

(Voters may choose either location)

Some voters have asked that a Vote By Mail ballot be sent to them automatically for all elections. Check your Vote By Mail status by contacting the Somerset County Clerk’s Election Division at 908-231-7013 or countyclerk@co.somerset.nj.us. 

To request a Vote By Mail ballot, download an application. The county must receive that application by mail by September 9 to mail you a ballot, or in-person by September 15 at 3 p.m. to give you a ballot in person. 

When you receive your Vote By Mail ballot, fill it out and either:    

• Mail it in with a postmark by September 16 

• Deliver it in person to the County Clerk’s Office or leave it in a drop box before polls close on September 16. 

If you show up to your polling place on September 16 and are told your ballot was mailed to you, or that you are not able to vote, ask for a provisional ballot. This ensures your ballot will be counted once all mailed ballots are double-checked and processed.