A bond is a means of borrowing funds, and a referendum is a public vote on an issue. A bond referendum is a special election that asks voters for permission to borrow money through the sale of bonds to finance large-scale improvements.  

New Jersey school districts pursue this financial path for these main reasons:  

• Get state aid to pay some of the costs (rather than fitting them into the annual budget). 

• Complete projects in a few years with upfront funding. 

• Spread the projects costs over time among all taxpayers (similar to how a homeowner finances a new roof or an addition with a home equity loan). 

The State of New Jersey only allows public school districts to hold a bond referendum on specific dates in January, March, September, November (General Election), and December.   

The referendum process includes a significant project review by the New Jersey Department of Education, which leads to the determination of state aid. Between receiving approval from the New Jersey Department of Education in late December and holding a referendum, the Board of Education wanted to ensure there was plenty of time for residents to learn about the needs, proposed solutions and advantages of state aid. 

The March vote date also helps the district move forward as soon as possible with construction projects. If voters approve a March referendum, some work could begin in the summer of 2026. Completing work in the summer allows the district to get a lot of work done with the least amount of disruption to school operations. 

In 2023, the district paid off the community's last major investment (more than 20 years ago, to build Lenape Meadows and expand Ramapo Ridge and Mahwah High School). 

• That means: Property taxes include no payments on debt. 

• That also means: Mahwah is not taking advantage of state aid.

Since 2018, more than $20 million in 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 expense to be spread over time.  The referendum is consistent with Mahwah’s strategy of seeking funding streams beyond property taxes.   

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.

To see a full list of each project by school, please check the Facilities Upgrades page of the district website.

The district is committed to sharing accurate information with all community members so they understand how the March referendum would impact the future of Mahwah Public Schools. This website is one way the district plans to share information leading up to the vote.   

The district’s multi-faceted information campaign will also include local news media, social media, mailings and flyers. 

We encourage the community to attend the information sessions on Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. (in-person, Mahwah High School auditorium) and Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. (virtual, via Zoom). 

Community members can also direct referendum-related questions to future@mahwah.k12.nj.us. All questions will be answered as soon as possible. 

HVAC improvement projects qualify for the maximum amount of state aid, so it makes sense to include them in the proposal instead of paying full price for these upgrades.  

Rather than completing upgrades through the district’s capital reserve (similar to a savings account), bond borrowing would allow the district to address needs quickly by gaining upfront funding and strategically by capturing state aid to offset these project costs.

If voters approve the referendum, the oldest HVAC systems across the district would receive upgrades that would improve efficiency and air quality, and state aid would pick up some of the costs.

In 2025, the district undertook an HVAC and building controls upgrade project at George Washington, so that equipment is not in need of replacement.  

Through careful planning and coordination with the architects, the district was able to identify and include only HVAC equipment that is at least 20 years old in the list of referendum projects. 

Currently, we send young adults with special needs out of the district for specialized programming that helps them practice life skills and prepares them for independence. The district pays the tuition and transportation costs to send students to these specialized programs.

If the district had its own space for this program, we could keep our students in district after graduation, which provides them with continuity. Students would experience the program in-district, with their peers, rather than heading into a new environment. 

The primary goal of offering an in-district 18-to-21 program for students with special needs is allowing young adults to stay with their peers, including neurotypical students, in a familiar environment. A secondary benefit would be the district’s savings on tuition and transportation costs to send these students elsewhere.

Mahwah Public Schools is working closely with the district architect, who has extensive experience with school construction projects. All projects would be done in phases and in coordination with district administration to minimize the level of disruption to the educational program, and maximize the amount of work that could take place over summer breaks.A detailed construction schedule would be developed if voters approve the referendum, after the projects are designed, and bids have been awarded. 

A referendum becomes a favorable strategy to finance capital projects because of the availability of state aid for eligible projects. The State of New Jersey collects tax revenue across the state and allocates some of it to schools that use bonds to pay for certain projects. In fact, state aid covers up to 40% of eligible project costs when they are approved by voters.  

In New Jersey, public school districts are required to stay within a 2% local tax levy cap on spending. That means annual operating budgets cannot increase more than 2% without specific voter approval. It’s a challenge to fit increasing costs for wages, utilities, technology and supplies within that cap, let alone major facilities repairs and maintenance projects.   

Payments on bonds are not counted in that cap. Because of that, a school district often aims to strategically schedule significant improvements and facility upgrades under the umbrella of a bond referendum. Doing so leaves the operating budget available for core educational needs, and often qualifies eligible projects for up to 40% state aid.

School districts that hold a bond referendum for construction projects are eligible for state aid – also called debt service aid – that is funded through tax revenue collected from across New Jersey.  In fact, state aid covers up to 40% of eligible project costs when they are approved by voters, funded by bond borrowing and related to educational needs.  

Debt Service Aid makes it financially attractive to pay for certain projects through a bond instead of through the annual operating budget: Instead of paying 100%, local taxes cover as little as 60% of qualified costs. The state Department of Education thoroughly reviewed Mahwah’s projects and agreed to contribute $28.1 million toward the total project costs.   

Districts across Bergen County have taken advantage of this type of funding to complete projects. For example, in 2024 voters approved a referendum for Little Ferry Public Schools to build a new middle school and in Hillsdale, voters approved a referendum for renovations, a temporary modular building and a six-classroom addition at George G. White Middle School. In Tenafly, voters approved a proposal to renovate and repair every school facility.

The state has a formula for determining eligible costs, which takes into account a variety of factors. Question 2 contains new construction, which does not qualify for as much state aid as renovations (listed in Question 1).  

Eligibility for new construction is based on an assumption (as indicated in the statute) that the cost for an addition is $143 per square foot. However, the actual cost to build one square foot is much higher than $143. Therefore, the eligible costs for new construction will not equal the actual cost of new construction. The amount to be issued in bonds is higher due to the current market price per square foot to build the proposed gyms at MHS, Betsy Ross, and George Washington, and the new media center and music room at Betsy Ross.

The projects included in Question 1 and Question 2 of Mahwah’s referendum are estimated to cost a total of $138.4 million. State aid would offset that amount by $28.1 million. This figure includes not only the work on the projects, but also professional and permit fees to support it, as well as a state-mandated cushion calculated by the district’s financial advisors to account for market fluctuations and contingencies.    

• If Question 1 is approved by voters, residents would see an estimated increase of $26 per month ($312 per year) in school debt tax for a home assessed at the Mahwah average of $481,238. 

• If voters approve Question 2, which cannot pass unless voters approve Question 1, residents would see an additional $31 per month ($372 per year) in school debt tax for a home assessed at the Mahwah average of $481,238.  

Please note that the estimated tax impact is an average over the 20-year term of the investment and the calculation includes interest.

A home’s assessed value, which is used to determine property taxes, is different than the home’s market value. The market value of a home is typically a higher figure and is an estimate of how much a home could sell for in the current market. Inputting your address into this website will give you your home’s assessed value. 

According to state law, bond-funded contracts must be awarded through a public bidding process. That benefits taxpayers because contractors submit price bids and the district must choose the lowest qualified bidder. 

According to law, the Board is not permitted to spend one cent more on the projects (no matter the source of funds) without obtaining additional voter approval. With the help of financial consultants and architects who specialize in school projects, Mahwah has thoroughly researched the proposed projects, estimated their associated costs, and included a contingency amount in the estimated total. If actual costs exceed what voters approved, the projects will have to be adjusted to fit within the budget.  

The Board is only permitted to spend money on projects that are approved by voters. If the projects are completed and there are remaining bond proceeds, that money must be used to pay back the principal as soon as possible.   

The State of New Jersey has several programs that provide property tax relief for senior citizens or people with disabilities.   

• Stay NJ reimburses up to half the property tax bill of eligible applicants. For 2024 tax filings, the benefit was capped at $6,500. The applicant's income cannot exceed $500,000.  

• "Senior Freeze" holds property taxes at the rate that existed when the applicant became eligible for that program. Its income limit was raised to $168,268 for 2024 tax filings.  

• Other current programs are the NJ $250 Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction and the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR).   

As of 2025, these programs share a single application process. Learn more about these programs on the state’s website or by calling 800-882-6597. 

All registered voters in Mahwah can vote in the March bond referendum. If you are not registered to vote, you must do so by Feb. 17 to participate. More information about voter registration and how to vote can be found on the Voter Information page.   

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 10, and voters can find their poll locations here.     

Polling Locations:

District #1: Mahwah EMS Building (8 Franklin Turnpike)

District #2: Fire Company #1 (100 Miller Road)

District #3: Fire Company #2 (Corner of Island Road and Church Street)

Districts #4 and #13: Terrace Room, Senior Center, Mahwah Municipal Offices (475 Corporate Drive)

Districts #5 and #14: Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute (281 Campgaw Road)

Districts #6 and #7: Fire Company #4 (50 Fardale Avenue)

Districts #8 and #9: Winter Room, Mahwah Public Library (100 Ridge Road)

District #10: Fire Company #1 (100 Miller Road)

Districts #11 and #12: Fire Company #3 (Rozanski Lane - Off Masonicus Road)

Voters have a convenient option for participating without being confined to a single election day or traveling to the polls. Any registered voter can apply for a Vote By Mail ballot; no reason is necessary. The application must be received by March 3 for a ballot to be returned to you via mail.   

Download the Vote By Mail application form. Complete instructions and applications in various languages are here. If you have applied to cast your ballot by mail in a previous election, you should receive a mail-in ballot without taking further action. 

If you already requested a ballot be mailed to you and if your address is the same, Bergen County may send you a Vote By Mail ballot automatically before the election. For more information, please visit the Bergen County Clerk's website.   

If you are not registered for Vote By Mail, the County Clerk’s Office must receive your application no later than March 3 to have your ballot mailed to you. 

All mailed ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 10. You can also deposit your mail-in ballot in an official drop box (located outside the Mahwah Public Library, 100 Ridge Rd.) prior to 8 p.m., or by delivering it in person to the Bergen County Board of Elections (One Bergen County Plaza, Room 310 in Hackensack) by 3 p.m.  

If for any reason you are told at the polls that you cannot vote, request a provisional ballot.  

Voters occasionally show up at the polls unaware that a Vote By Mail ballot was already sent to them. That’s one of the more common reasons a voter may need to fill out a provisional ballot - this ensures the integrity of the election while also preserving legitimate votes. These ballots are reviewed after polls close and paperwork can be examined more closely. Valid votes will be counted if they are not duplicates.