Mahwah Public Schools is holding a bond referendum on Tuesday, March 10. School districts use referenda to fund major school projects, with the help of state aid to offset the costs and spread the payments over time.
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THE BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CHOSE THIS FUNDING STRATEGY TO:
THE BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CHOSE THIS FUNDING STRATEGY TO:
Fund major capital improvements
Secure $28 million in state aid, reducing tax impact
Enhance and ensure safe and secure facilities
Improve and enhance learning environments to foster student success
Provide access to Mahwah’s facilities for community members of all ages
The Community Information Forums will be an opportunity for community members to ask questions directly to district administrators and professional consultants.
THE FUTURE OF OUR FACILITIES
THE FUTURE OF OUR FACILITIES
AND OUR COMMUNITY
AND OUR COMMUNITY
Question 1: Critical Infrastructure Improvements and Upgrades to All Buildings to Maintain Core Operations, Security and Efficiency
Question 1: Critical Infrastructure Improvements and Upgrades to All Buildings to Maintain Core Operations, Security and Efficiency
Upgrade 20+ year old leaky roofing and inefficient HVAC systems
Replace aging, end-of-life boilers
Create a designated space for the 18-21-year-old special needs program to help students build life skills in Building 5 (current locker room and storage space) on the High School campus
Replace select windows and doors that are original to the building to enhance security
Complete exterior brickwork to preserve our beloved buildings
If voters approve Question 1, residents would see a $26 per month / $313 per year increase in school debt tax for a home assessed at the Mahwah average of $481,238.
REMINDER: QUESTION 2 CAN ONLY PASS IF QUESTION 1 ALSO PASSES
REMINDER: QUESTION 2 CAN ONLY PASS IF QUESTION 1 ALSO PASSES
Question 2: Create Consistency Among Elementary Schools, Improve the T-Bird & Community Experience
Question 2: Create Consistency Among Elementary Schools, Improve the T-Bird & Community Experience
Build new, designated gymnasiums at Betsy Ross and George Washington Elementary Schools to ease crowding, create a safe and functional physical education space and more gymnasium space to our community organizations
Replace media center, currently housed in a trailer, and add a music room at Betsy Ross
Build a new, second gymnasium at the High School - current gymnasium is original 1950s layout that lacks space compared to neighboring districts - with spectator bleachers on both sides, to improve scheduling and access for students and community recreation programs
Renovate the High School auditorium, entrance and lobby - including the original 1950s seating
Install new turf and LED lighting in the High School stadium to replace the current, worn turf and create reliable field space for extracurriculars and community recreation programs
Upgrade grass fields at the High School and Ramapo Ridge with turf and lighting to create reliable field space for students and community recreation programs
If voters approve Question 2, residents would see an additional $31 per month / $368 per year increase in school debt tax for a home assessed at the Mahwah average of $481,238.
$138.4 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS
$28.1 MILLION IN STATE AID
AVAILABLE THROUGH A VOTER-APPROVED REFERENDUM
$138.4 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS
$28.1 MILLION IN STATE AID
AVAILABLE THROUGH A VOTER-APPROVED REFERENDUM
THE PATH TO A REFERENDUM
THE PATH TO A REFERENDUM
2020: Architects begin evaluating facilities
2020: Architects begin evaluating facilities
2024: Strategic planning process guides district to referendum
2024: Strategic planning process guides district to referendum
Fall 2025: Community feedback leads to referendum project selection
Fall 2025: Community feedback leads to referendum project selection
December 2025: District announces referendum; BOE finalizes referendum projects after state review, shares tax impact
December 2025: District announces referendum; BOE finalizes referendum projects after state review, shares tax impact
Winter 2026: District continues to engage the community
Winter 2026: District continues to engage the community
Feb. 4: In-person community information forum at 6:30 p.m. | Location TBD
Feb. 4: In-person community information forum at 6:30 p.m. | Location TBD
Feb. 11: Virtual community information forum at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Feb. 11: Virtual community information forum at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
March 10, 2026: VOTE (in-person or by mail)
March 10, 2026: VOTE (in-person or by mail)
Mahwah Public Schools is determined to inform all community members about the March 10 bond referendum.
Mahwah Public Schools is determined to inform all community members about the March 10 bond referendum.
Click here to view downloadable graphics that can be shared with friends and neighbors to help spread the word about the upcoming vote.
Click here to view downloadable graphics that can be shared with friends and neighbors to help spread the word about the upcoming vote.
Since 2018, more than $20 million worth of facilities updates have been made across the district.
Since 2018, more than $20 million worth of facilities updates have been made across the district.
A referendum would give the district upfront funding to complete major improvements all at once plus state aid to offset project costs and allow the costs to be spread out over time.
WHAT OTHER FUNDING SOURCES HAS THE DISTRICT EXPLORED?
WHAT OTHER FUNDING SOURCES HAS THE DISTRICT EXPLORED?
Over the past eight years, the district has completed many projects funded outside the regular operating budget - including through grant programs and the capital reserve - to enhance the student experience. The T3 building that houses STEAM classes was constructed with funds from the operating budget in 2018.
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