HVRSD will receive $20.2 million in state aid to reduce the local cost of the projects if both ballot questions are approved. The proposal is consistent with the district’s strategic long-term planning and the Board of Education’s practice of seeking funding beyond the local tax base.  

In other recent examples aside from the referendum: 

• The board’s Government Relations Committee secured the district’s first-ever state budget appropriation of $125,000 toward a fully ADA-accessible playground at Bear Tavern. The remainder of this project will be funded by community donors.

• The district used a state grant toward 40% of a boiler project at Central High School and purchased high-efficiency lighting at a fraction of market cost through a Board of Public Utilities program.   

If voters approve the Nov. 4 bond referendum, HVRSD secures upfront funding to make major building improvements, with payments spread over time – much like consumers take out a home equity loan.