Embedded Files
Polls open 6 am - 8 pm on SEPTEMBER 16
As the Branchburg Board of Education, administration, and professional advisors developed this referendum, they were guided by the district's mission and a shared commitment to:
As the Branchburg Board of Education, administration, and professional advisors developed this referendum, they were guided by the district's mission and a shared commitment to:
Create additional learning space to support thoughtful grade-level alignment
Enhance safety and efficiency through critical facility and systems upgrades
Preserve manageable class sizes by expanding instructional space where needed
Maximize state aid to reduce the financial impact on local taxpayers
Strengthen learning environments in every school across the district
Integrate technology seamlessly to support modern teaching and learning
The comprehensive plan before voters on September 16 impacts every student and school in the district – advancing the mission of Branchburg Township School District.
THE VISION FOR STONY BROOK
AND OUR DISTRICT
THE VISION FOR STONY BROOK
AND OUR DISTRICT
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.
If voters approve the referendum, Stony Brook would gain a 30,000-square-foot addition. The addition would allow us to create a dedicated specials wing for art, music, and band, providing students with 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.
Why not use Old York School?
Why not use Old York School?
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 be costly. The building would require major upgrades to its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and the classroom 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.
What are the benefits?
What are the benefits?
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.
Example of Design & Technology Lab
Example of Media Center
Example of Music Room
Example of Science Lab
SCHOOL BY SCHOOL
SCHOOL BY SCHOOL
BRANCHBURG CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
BRANCHBURG CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
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
View more pictures in the galleries by hovering over the photo with your mouse and clicking the arrow that appears.
Renovations to the Auxiliary Gym and stage include new bleachers and air conditioning.
New finishes in the Music Room and two Art Rooms.
Exterior updates include stucco repairs, and window and soffit replacements.
STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Construct a new 30,000-square-foot addition to provide enhanced learning spaces for student growth and collaboration 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
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
Classroom storage and sinks would be updated in all Stony Brook classrooms.
The Art Room and Music Room would be renovated and placed next to the new gym.
The current “gymnatorium” serves as a gym, cafeteria, and performance and event space.
Renovate and expand to create a Media Center, Design & Technology Lab, and classroom.
WHITON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WHITON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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
Classroom storage and sinks would be updated in all Whiton classrooms.
Updates including new cabinetry would refresh the Art Room.
New playground equipment for Pre-K would be added and moved to be more secure.
ALL SCHOOLS
ALL SCHOOLS
Renovate restrooms with updated fixtures and plumbing to provide better facilities for students and staff
Add generators and surge protectors to safeguard district technology, equipment and essential infrastructure
Hover over the photo with your mouse and click the arrow that appears to see photos of what an updated restroom would look like.
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