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Polls open 6 am - 8 pm on SEPTEMBER 16
Election Update: Voters deny referendum
Voters did not approve Branchburg’s proposal to borrow $70 million for upgrades to Branchburg Township School District. The unofficial tally as of Tuesday night included 1,709 votes opposed and 1,025 votes in favor.
The totals will be updated over the next few days as officials count mail-in ballots that were postmarked by the election date and verify provisional ballots. Updates will be posted on this website.
The district administration and Board of Education will consider feedback from the community as we decide the next steps. We appreciate the time our community members took to learn about the proposed projects and to vote.
The Branchburg Township School District is committed to helping every student learn deeply, think critically, grow confidently, and excel in life. It's no surprise that many families choose to call Branchburg home—drawn to the strong sense of community and the quality of our schools.
On September 16, Branchburg voters will decide whether to invest in the future of our schools through a bond referendum to enhance learning spaces, safety and sustainability.
POLLS OPEN 6am - 8pm
ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Voting locations:
BRANCHBURG MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 1077 ROUTE 202
OR
STATION HOUSE, 412 OLIVE STREET, NESHANIC
(Voters may choose either location)
A Letter from Board of Education President Vincent Carpentier
Dear Branchburg residents,
On September 16, our community will have the opportunity to vote on a proposal that will directly impact the future of our schools and the education of our children. This proposal calls for a critical investment in our schools, ensuring that we have modern, safe and efficient learning spaces that reflect the high-quality education that defines Branchburg and that our students deserve.
Every project in this plan has been carefully evaluated by the Board of Education, reviewed by our district’s architects, and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education. The proposal addresses specific needs, from repairing aging infrastructure, to maintaining reasonable class sizes, to creating modern classrooms that prepare students for the future.
As a fellow Branchburg resident, I understand the impact of any tax increase on our families. That is why we, as a Board of Education, have worked hard to align this referendum with the final payments of a previous bond, which will be fully paid off in 2025-2026. This means that by replacing old debt with new debt, we can minimize the impact on our community while still making the necessary investments in our schools.
An important aspect of this referendum is that it will bring $13.5 million back to Branchburg, nearly 20% of the project costs. If the referendum does not pass, these funds will go to other communities. This is one of the few ways we can access additional state funding for large-scale projects, which is especially crucial given the decline in state aid and the restrictions on budget increases.
The ballot question before voters on September 16 is a promise to Branchburg residents. The proposal sets a firm ceiling of $70 million, and we cannot spend a penny more. For the owner of a home assessed at Branchburg’s average ($567,121), this would mean an estimated net tax increase of $30 per month over the 25-year life of the bond. This figure, calculated by our financial advisors with decades of experience in public school education, includes both principal and interest payments, providing a reliable and transparent forecast for our community.
The decision before us is an investment in the future of Branchburg, an investment in our children, our schools, and the vitality of our community. I encourage you to learn more at branchburg.k12.nj.us/referendum.
Thank you for your consideration, and please remember to vote on Tuesday, September 16.
Sincerely,
Vincent Carpentier
Branchburg Board of Education President
Closed captioning is available on this video. Click “CC” to turn on English closed captioning. To switch to another language, click the gear/setting icon and “Subtitles/CC” and “Auto-Translate”.
Los subtítulos están disponibles en este video. Haz clic en “CC” para activar los subtítulos en inglés. Para cambiar a otro idioma, haz clic en el ícono de engranaje/ajustes, luego en “Subtitles/CC” y “Auto Translate”.
View more pictures in the gallery by hovering over the photos with your mouse and clicking the arrow.
WHAT THIS VOTE MEANS
WHAT THIS VOTE MEANS
It’s more than buildings – it's about enhancing, modernizing and expanding our facilities to preserve the high-quality education that defines Branchburg.
$13.5 million in state aid that is available to Branchburg through voter approval of the referendum.
Funds would support key school upgrades and expand learning spaces, helping us better manage class sizes and reduce pressure on current facilities.
Project costs would be spread out over time, similar to how homeowners finance major home improvements.
The timing is aligned with the final debt payments from a previous referendum, helping to reduce the impact on taxpayers.
MODERN, TECH-FRIENDLY SPACES
MODERN, TECH-FRIENDLY SPACES
District-wide, indoor and outdoor enhancements to classrooms, Media Centers, Design & Technology labs, art and music rooms, hallways, lighting, windows, etc.
EXPANDED LEARNING SPACES
EXPANDED LEARNING SPACES
30,000-square-foot addition at Stony Brook featuring:
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
Improved grade-level alignment:
Pre-K-2 at Whiton
Grades 3-5 at Stony Brook
Grades 6–8 at Branchburg Central Middle School
EFFICIENT, SAFE SYSTEMS
EFFICIENT, SAFE SYSTEMS
HVAC, fire alarm, generators, surge protectors, and other system upgrades to improve efficiency, comfort, and safety – maintaining our infrastructure for decades to come
DID YOU KNOW?
The Stony Brook “gymnatorium” serves as a gym, cafeteria, performance and event space, and more – sometimes simultaneously!
The proposed 30,000-square-foot addition would ease space constraints and include an expanded cafeteria and kitchen as well as a gymnasium with a stage to support student and community programs.
Questions? Email referendum@branchburg.k12.nj.us
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