thank you for voting
Official results are in from Monmouth County, as of March 18. The Freehold Township School District referendum has passed; 1520 voters approved and 1399 opposed it.
The Board of Education thanks Freehold Township residents for voting and looks forward to the next steps for our schools and community.
Questions? Email us at vote@freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us
VOTE TUESDAY, MARCH 11
NAVIGATION
Improvements | Funding | FAQs | Voter Info
virtual referendum forum recording
Watch a recording of the Virtual Community Referendum Information Forum on 2/20.
Please use these timestamps to find a specific segment of the presentation:
Welcome & Introduction (Mr. Neal Dickstein, Superintendent): 0:00 - 1:54
District Overview (Mr. Neal Dickstein, Superintendent): 1:55-2:35
Fiscal Responsibility (Mr. Robert De Vita, Business Administrator): 2:36-7:18
Reasons to hold a Bond Referendum (Mr. Michael Amoroso, Board President & Mr. De Vita): 7:19-12:30
State Aid (Mr. Tony Solimine, Bond Counsel): 12:31-14:50
Estimated Tax Impact (Ms. Robbi Acampora, Financial Advisor): 14:51-20:16
Overview of Schools (Mr. Dickstein,; Dr. Dianne Brethauer, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Cathy Areman, Principal, Errickson Elementary School): 20:17-30:28
Projects, By School (Mrs. Ulka Panchal, Architect): 30:29-42:15
Questions from the Audience: 42:16-1:12:23
watch a video overview of the referendum
Freehold Township’s pre-K through eighth-grade schools are highly ranked, and it is the district’s mission to honor and support every learner every day. Next to education, our top priorities are continuing to provide learning environments that are comfortable, safe and secure, and protecting our community’s investment in our schools.
Although the schools receive regular maintenance through the annual budget, updates are needed to align with the high standards our community has come to expect.
Voter approval of a bond referendum would give Freehold Township state aid and up-front funding to make necessary improvements and protect the community’s investment in our schools.
Why a bond referendum?
The Board and administration have long considered and researched options to address the health, safety and security needs of our schools with the community in mind. That research has led the district to a bond referendum, which seeks permission to borrow funds through the sale of bonds and give the district the advantages of upfront funding and state aid.
Schools use this method to manage large-scale projects, because:
This specific type of state aid is available to school districts only through a voter-approved bond referendum.
It spreads payments over time, similar to how a consumer uses a home equity loan.
The district’s annual budget cannot absorb the costs of large-scale improvements to multiple buildings.
Up-front funding gets critical work done more quickly than a multi-year, staged approach.
Every NJ taxpayer pays toward school improvements. The only way to bring some of those funds, in the form of state aid, back to invest in our local school district is through a voter-approved bond referendum.
Check the Improvements page for a breakdown of what's included in each Project Cost Breakdown category.
What improvements ARE included on the ballot?
Proposed projects are all designed around needs, not wants. Upgrades would position the district to boost health, safety and security and take a more proactive maintenance approach, rather than risk reactive, more costly emergency repairs.
The referendum has improvements planned for every school across the district, which would include:
Increasing Safety & Security
Add a secure entry vestibule at every school for another layer of security
Install additional surveillance cameras around the vestibules to better monitor building safety
Install doors on the classrooms in the Errickson and Applegate School pods for improved privacy and security
Replace fire alarm systems that are difficult to find parts for and expensive to repair
Replace exterior and interior doors to enhance security
Boosting HEALTH & Efficiency
Upgrade the existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to improve air quality, reduce the risk for unexpected repairs, and enhance energy efficiency
Replace aging electrical equipment, where needed, to support critical infrastructure updates
Replace/restore aging roofing systems, which would resolve leaks and boost energy efficiency
Replace outdated windows at ECLC to increase energy efficiency
Reconfigure main office area and nurse's suite to include an accessible restroom and private exam room