A FORWARD-THINKING PLAN
A FORWARD-THINKING PLAN
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WATCH: VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
A panel of district leaders and professional consultants discussed the bond referendum and answered audience questions on state aid, PILOT programs, enrollment growth and more during an Oct. 9 town hall.
Scroll down or click here for a playlist of referendum videos, including principals explaining their building needs.
ARCHITECT PRESENTATION
HVRSD Referendum Presentation August 2025.pdfSEE THE SLIDESHOW FOR:
Project breakdowns by question
Cost summaries
Floor plans showing roof areas targeted for improvement
Floor plans and aerial views of proposed additions and renovations at Bear Tavern and Toll Gate
WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT?
WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT?
The Hopewell Valley Regional School District will hold a Nov. 4 bond referendum to address increasingly critical building needs.The revised proposal incorporates community feedback we heard after voters rejected the September 2024 bond referendum. Our open dialogue led to a new plan that focuses on expanding instructional spaces as enrollment grows and ensuring those spaces are safe, comfortable and conducive to today’s learning needs.
We are confident that this practical, responsive proposal would prepare our schools for a bright future.
If both questions pass, HVRSD will secure $20.2M in state aid toward $84.2M in project costs
If both questions pass, HVRSD will secure $20.2M in state aid toward $84.2M in project costs
QUESTION 1: BUILDING NEEDS
Replace roofing to eliminate leaks that disrupt instruction
Replace aging, inefficient HVAC systems district-wide
Replace deteriorated exterior doors
Add air conditioning to Timberlane MS gym, replace floor
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: SPACE FOR STUDENTS
Build Bear Tavern addition 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
Reduce level of redistricting
Meet need for in-demand small-group instruction
Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is approved. See the Funding page for more about the ballot questions.
VIDEOS: Learn more about referendum
Get a look inside Hopewell Valley schools in a series of informational videos. School principals discuss how space shortages, HVAC breakdowns and roof leaks regularly impact students and staff. The referendum would provide solutions for inadequate space and aging infrastructure.
WATCH THE PLAYLIST:
Virtual Town Hall: Q&A with panel of experts
Overview: Building needs, proposed projects, funding strategy
Toll Gate: A long-term solution for space
Stony Brook: Better drainage and effective drainage systems
Hopewell: Upgraded HVAC and enhanced safety
Bear Tavern: A long-term solution for space
Timberlane: Efficient building systems and renovated front entrance
HVCHS: Functional school systems
WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?
There is no other viable option to address our space needs and replace end-of-life building systems. That is why the district is going out for a referendum again.
If we delay, supply and construction costs will continue to rise and frequent repairs will continue to drain the operating budget that must fund educational expenses. Most importantly, students will be impacted by space shortages and building system breakdowns.
A voter-approved bond referendum is the only certain path for HVRSD to obtain upfront funding to make large-scale improvements – with the bonus of $20.2 million in state aid.
WHY QUESTION 2 IS NEEDED ... EVEN WITH THE PROMISE OF PILOT FUNDS
Toll Gate needs more space to accommodate increasing enrollment and move students out of modular classrooms.
Hopewell Township pledged $16.1 million toward the expansion of Bear Tavern from PILOT funding. An August court ruling upheld the PILOT agreement, but Pennington Borough appealed the decision in September. The funds are on hold while litigation continues.
Question 2 remains on the ballot because:
The Nov. 4 ballot cannot be changed.
The district is eligible for state aid for both questions; if both are approved, $20.2 million in state revenue comes home to our community.
Voter approval means upfront funding for the projects. A timeline for receiving PILOT funding is not yet confirmed.
Voter approval of Question Two would fund building additions for both Bear Tavern AND Toll Gate schools. PILOT funding would be applied only toward the Bear Tavern project costs.
PILOT funding will be applied toward the debt service for the projects, providing tax relief.
The combination of PILOT revenue and state aid maximizes the funding toward school improvements.
BEYOND ROUTINE REPAIRS: SEE THE NEEDS
BEYOND ROUTINE REPAIRS: SEE THE NEEDS
Hopewell Valley Regional School District is known for a high-quality education that prepares students for success.
But when heating and air conditioning are prone to breakdowns, roofs leak and classroom space becomes too tight, the impact on education is inevitable.
We maintain our buildings regularly. In fact, roofs are frequently patched. But some of our systems are at the point of requiring replacement.
Upgrading our schools would increase efficiency, reduce the risk of costly emergency repairs and provide instructional spaces conducive to focus and learning.
See the Projects page for more details on how improvements would provide better learning environments at all HVRSD schools.
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