HADDONFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT:
Focusing on a
BRIGHTER FUTURE
As a district renowned for its academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and community involvement, the Haddonfield Board of Education is committed to continuous improvement and future planning to meet the evolving critical needs for our district and community.
A Roadmap for the Future
Haddonfield’s Board of Education (BOE) has been researching and considering how to meet current and future needs of our students, our buildings and our taxpayers. A bond referendum allows us to do so with a fiscally conservative approach that capitalizes on state aid that is only available through that route. The Haddonfield School District asks residents to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024
Identified areas of need:
The categories are purposefully in alphabetical order. The Board feels there is no way to place one category over another.
Community Voices Were Heard
Stakeholder engagement has been vital. We conducted extensive discussions with administrators, faculty, students, parents, and community members through individual meetings and community visioning sessions. These diverse perspectives helped shape our priorities and solutions.
Every project had to solve one of the main Identified Areas of Needs. The Board focused on improving academics and student experience within its commitment to financial responsibility.
Financial Strategy: Maximize Outside Funding Sources
Our financial strategy incorporates small-scale maintenance into the annual operating budget and allocates large-scale capital projects to bond-funded budgets. This approach:
maximizes state aid opportunities and seeks additional government funding and grants, and
reduces reliance on the local tax base.
Timing is also important. Haddonfield is on the verge of paying off debt from past school investments. If voters approve, the new debt will begin as the old debt ends. That would continue the investment in our buildings with the bonus of state aid.
Advantages of a bond referendum
A bond referendum is a vote (referendum) in which a school district seeks permission to borrow funds through the sale of bonds.
Qualifies some projects for a specific type of state aid.
Spreads the cost of large-scale improvements over time.
Keeps the district's operating budget focused on instructional costs.
Each school and the Hopkins parcel would benefit from a
voter-approved referendum
voter-approved referendum
Understanding the True Tax Impact:
The total cost of projects is $46.7 million, which will be reflected in the referendum question. However, with $9 million in state aid (which is like getting a 20% discount), taxpayers will only repay $37.7 million. This amount equates to about $369 per year for the average Haddonfield household.
Stay Informed!
In addition to this website, the Board will have informational tables at each Back to School Night, and be making presentations to local organizations. The BOE will also be rotating the locations of its meetings to provide opportunities for the public to learn more and to see the schools.
September 12: Board of Education public meeting at 7 p.m. in the Central/Middle School Media Center
September 26: Board of Education public meeting at 7 p.m. in the Haddon Elementary School Media Center
September 30: Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. in the HMHS Auditorium
October 10: Board of Education public meeting at 7 p.m. in the Tatem Elementary School All-Purpose Room (APR)
View the BOE presentation of the referendum scope:
Project Timeline
Still Have Questions?
Please use this link to submit any questions you believe have not been fully addressed on our website. While we may not be able to respond to every question individually, we will carefully review all submissions and update our FAQs based on community feedback.