Cranford Public Schools
Bond Referendum

Voters APPROVED the Cranford Public Schools Jan. 23, 2024 bond referendum! What's next?

Official results indicated that voters approved the Cranford Public Schools proposal to complete facility upgrades, provide space for full-day kindergarten for all students and update spaces to meet modern standards. These projects will touch every school in the district.

The district administration and Board of Education thank the Cranford community for learning about the referendum and taking the time to vote. We look forward to sharing updates on the improvements that will ensure Cranford remains a top-rated public school.

This website is being maintained as the one place for accurate and up-to-date information as construction advances. We will communicate and update the estimated timeline periodically on the Updates page.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email vote@cranfordschools.org.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT UPDATES

What is ESIP, and how does it address facility needs without adding more to the referendum proposal?

The Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) allows districts to implement energy-efficient improvements based on the amount of future savings.

ESIP is a budget-neutral financing mechanism that allows retrofitting public facilities with energy conservation measures without having to budget upfront for new capital investment.

ESIP is one example of how the district seeks alternative funding sources outside the local tax base.

16 new kindergarten classrooms with restrooms at Brookside Place, Bloomingdale Avenue, Walnut Avenue, and Hillside Avenue Schools
Currently, we can only accommodate three full-day classes, awarded through a lottery system

Updated science labs
Modernized multimedia centers
Technology upgrades
Renovated performing arts spaces
Renovated classrooms, including culinary arts, eSports, and more

Install air conditioning in large common spaces
Upgrade electrical services to meet technical and HVAC demands
Improve accessibility
Districtwide repairs to infrastructure

The Cranford community values and is recognized for setting and maintaining high standards for our top-rated public schools. However, our buildings are in need of attention and our facilities need to be upgraded to ensure Cranford Public Schools continue to maintain the community’s tradition of providing students with a stellar, well-rounded education.

When the Board of Education began considering a bond referendum to make improvements to our district, it formed a steering committee composed of stakeholders in the community to make sure residents had a voice when it comes to the future of our schools. A town-wide survey indicated that a majority of residents were in favor of the projects proposed in this bond referendum, including full-day kindergarten.

Future Middle School Culinary Arts Lab

Future Middle School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Lab

Future Kindergarten Classroom

Future High School Media Center

See the Complete List of Projects

WHAT IS A BOND REFERENDUM?

A referendum is another word for vote. Registered voters will decide whether Cranford Public Schools can finance significant building projects through the sale of bonds. If you are registered to vote at least three weeks before the referendum, you can have a say in deciding the future of our district.

The Board chose this fiscally responsible strategy to:

Generate upfront funding to improve our schools.
See upgrades in just a few years while having the cost of the projects spread out over time (similar to a home equity loan).
Access a specific kind of state aid, so not all costs end up on local school tax bills. This funding is only available through a voter-approved bond referendum.

VIRTUAL FORUM RECORDING

Full-day kindergarten classrooms

Currently, we can only accommodate three classes of full-day kindergarten, which are tuition-based and awarded through a lottery system. State curriculum standards demand more from today’s kindergartners - that's why all but four districts in the state offer full-day kindergarten for all students, or already have voter approval to expand. They go beyond knowing numbers to doing beginner math, and beyond identifying letters to writing short stories. Meeting those needs has left less time for the very important developmental elements that will support students throughout their future.

A town-wide survey put together by our steering committee showed that 65% of respondents support full-day kindergarten in the district's four elementary schools.

District enhancements

Including updated science labs, modernized multimedia centers that support 21st century STEM programs, renovated performing arts spaces, and dedicated spaces for culinary and eSports programs. Of respondents to the steering committee’s survey, 71% said they supported these types of improvements.

Facility upgrades and improvements

Which include installing air conditioning in large common spaces in our schools, upgrading electrical services, improving accessibility, and making repairs districtwide. Our schools are well-maintained, but nothing withstands the march of time. Our facilities are in need of repairs and upgrades.

$75 MILLION IN PROJECTS OF WHICH STATE PAYS $19.6 MILLION

State aid helps

Cranford Public Schools has strategically planned for its bond referendum by proposing must-needed projects that qualify for state aid to cover 26% of the $75 million in project costs.

Tax revenue collected across New Jersey is used to help public school districts pay for specific projects. But funds from that "pot” of money are only available to districts where voters approve bond referenda. Without a voter-approved bond referendum, this funding is left on the table for other districts that pursue bond borrowing.

QUESTIONS? Email vote@cranfordschools.org or visit the FAQs page

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Cranford Public Schools Bond Referendum