PROJECTS

IMPROVEMENTS TO MEET STUDENTS' NEEDS

Hopewell Valley Regional School District takes pride in offering high-quality
educational opportunities to every student in our communities.

But, as of now, our old school buildings can’t keep up with our academic standards

Proposed expansions would move elementary students
from cramped trailers into their school buildings,
where they belong.

End-of-life sections of building roofs leak regularly, requiring frequent repairs and disrupting instruction.
The cost of old HVAC systems goes beyond inefficiency. Classrooms that are too hot or too cold affect students’ ability to focus and sometimes require moving to other parts of a building.
Space is insufficient for our enrollment and for evolving educational needs – including the rising demand for small-group instruction. At Bear Tavern and Toll Gate, students continue learning in aging modular trailers instead of in their schools.
More space also is required to maintain class sizes and reduce the level of redistricting as enrollment grows from new and existing housing.

SEE PROJECTS BY QUESTION

Question 2 cannot pass unless Question 1 is also approved.

QUESTION 1 BUILDING NEEDS

Replace roofing to eliminate leaks that disrupt instruction
Add air conditioning to Timberlane MS gym, replace floor
Replace aging, inefficient HVAC systems district-wide
Replace deteriorated exterior doors
Install new classroom doors with enhanced fire resistance and security features
Renovate/add bathrooms at Bear Tavern and Hopewell
Renovate Bear Tavern cafeteria
Install backup well systems at Bear Tavern and Timberlane

Exterior improvements:

Modify Toll Gate driveway for improved access,
repave Central HS solar lot
Refurbish entrance walkways at Timberlane and Bear Tavern
Improve drainage at Stony Brook to divert water from building

QUESTION 2 STUDENT SPACE

Build Bear Tavern addition with room for 8 to 10 classrooms
Build Toll Gate addition for 6 classrooms
Relocate current Toll Gate nurse’s office to larger space with ADA-accessible bathroom
Convert existing room at Toll Gate to physical education office with student bathroom
Renovate existing nurse's office into space for small-group instruction

Upgraded and expanded space would:

Move students out of trailers and into schools
Prepare for enrollment growth from new housing
Manage class sizes
Prevent need for redistricting
Meet need for in-demand small-group instruction

SEE PROJECTS BY SCHOOL

The updated project list reflects community feedback about prioritizing building necessities.
See more information in Frequently Asked Questions.

BEAR TAVERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Roofing in areas where warranties expired or will expire in 2026
Building addition with room for 8 to 10 classrooms, including small-group instruction rooms that can expand to full-size rooms
Additional HVAC work - classrooms, media center, main office and music rooms
Installation of additional water well system as backup to existing system
Upgraded classroom doors for improved safety
Replacement of deteriorated exterior doors and deteriorated storefront system
Refurbishment of covered walkway at staff entrance
Replacement/upgrade of sewer pumping station equipment
Renovations of existing modular buildings for district storage
Renovations of cafeteria and student bathrooms adjacent to gym

HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Replacement of obsolete shingle roofing areas that are in poor condition
Replacement of deteriorated exterior doors
Replacement of remaining obsolete HVAC equipment
Upgraded classroom doors for safety in the primary wing
Expansion of two kindergarten bathrooms for ADA accessibility

STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Replacement of low slope roofing that has exceeded its useful life and correct failed flashing conditions
Replacement of deteriorated exterior doors
Drainage improvements to prevent flooding risk
Replacement of two cafeteria rooftop HVAC units that are beyond their useful life
New cooling tower

TOLL GATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Building addition for six classrooms
Renovations to create a larger nurse’s suite with an accessible bathroom, add a physical education office with a student bathroom, and convert the existing nurse’s suite to a small-group instruction room
Replace low slope and shingle roofing areas that are beyond useful life
Replacement of deteriorated exterior doors
Replace steam boiler with high-efficiency hot water boiler
HVAC improvements at third floor of original building
Replace obsolete HVAC units in the media center
Driveway improvements for safer passageway for pedestrians and emergency vehicles, additional parking, pavement restoration

TIMBERLANE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Replace remaining roof areas that are beyond their useful life
Replacement of deteriorated exterior doors
Replacement of obsolete classroom HVAC equipment in Blocks C and D
Replace obsolete HVAC units in art room, gym and computer lab
Replace obsolete HVAC units and add air conditioning to auxiliary gym (only district gym without A/C)
Replace obsolete chiller
Flooring replacement and other renovations in auxiliary gym
Refurbish front entrance walkway
Install additional water well system as backup to existing system
Renovate student bathrooms in Block A

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Replace remaining roof areas that are beyond their useful life
400 Wing HVAC system replacement

Paving restoration at the “solar” parking lot
Renovate student bathrooms in 400 wing

A CLOSER LOOK

Running out of band-aids
Roofs are regularly patched and HVAC systems are often repaired, but end-of-life systems now need replacement.

Growth is already here
Bear Tavern finished the 2023-24 school year with 437 students and ended 2024-25 with 482 students – an enrollment increase that filled two classrooms.

Newer doors are safer doors
Bear Tavern and Hopewell classroom doors are around 65 years old. New doors would have fire protection and shatter-resistant glass.

Some exterior doors at all schools expand and contract with heat and cold, which has led to deterioration. Modern doors would close tightly and easily in any weather.

Opportunity to save
HVRSD schools with modern, high-efficiency boilers have reduced gas bills signicantly. Replacing equipment will create similar savings for all schools.

HVAC breakdowns cost the district money and instructional time.

Deteriorated exterior doors need replacement.

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