No, the reassessment will not change the referendum tax burden for residents. It's calculated based on the current assessed value. That obligation will remain during the repayment of the bond.

The district is taking an aggressive approach with scheduling. After designs are finalized, and the bid process is completed it is our expectation to have shovels in the ground by spring of 2027 (Betsy Ross School, Mahwah High School, and George Washington School). Ultimately, projects will be completed in phases.

The schedule will be designed to minimize the level of disruption to our educational program, maximizing the amount of work that could take place over summer breaks or when students are not otherwise in school. There remains a number of projects that can be addressed even with students in the building. The district aims to complete all of the projects within 4-5 years.  

Many of the projects must be done whether or not voters approve the referendum. Approval gives the district the added benefit of using state aid to help cover a portion of the project costs. The district’s operating budget does not have the capacity to cover major improvements across multiple buildings in our high-achieving district. 

Here’s what to expect if voters don’t approve the referendum:    

• Mahwah will lose out on $28.1 million in state aid toward these projects; the district will have to shoulder the entire costs;     

• Projects would be done in stages, with total project costs solely coming from the annual budget;

• Preventing a continued proactive approach to maintenance and replace systems before they break down (these are systems our students and staff rely on every day); 

• Piecemeal repairs as things break down, which could cause higher costs in the long run;    

• Instead of updating and replacing systems as they age, the systems would become prone to unscheduled breakdowns, which are costly to repair, and our students and faculty would experience significant disruptions to learning when last-minute space closures become more frequent;

• Funds must be diverted away from educational programs and/or staffing to support facility needs if they become critical. 

• Our engineers and buildings and grounds department have identified over $70 million worth of necessary updates or system replacements that will be needed over the next 5-6 years. This level of investment is far beyond what the annual operating budget could support without widespread reductions to programs. 

Specifically:  

• At BR: Students continue to use an inadequate trailer as a media center. The school’s multipurpose space, which has classroom-height ceilings that are not high enough for basketball hoops and multiple pillars in the middle of the room that create obstacles during physical education classes, will continue to host the physical education program, serve as a cafeteria, and host numerous events while creating continued scheduling challenges.

• At MHS: Mahwah High School’s auditorium will remain the same with dated and inadequate seating, sound, lighting, and restrooms.   

• In order to update the fields, the district will have to look into utilizing capital reserve funds, which do not equal the total cost of the field projects.

• The existing and original gymnasium that is smaller than surrounding districts and competitors will remain the only indoor athletic facility at MHS. 

• At GW: The school’s only gym will continue to host the physical education program, serve as a cafeteria, and host numerous events while creating continued scheduling challenges.