MENDHAM BOROUGH BOND REFERENDUM
PreK-8 District
Building upon our tradition of excellence
VOTE JANUARY 28, 2025
During the district’s strategic planning process last fall, the Mendham Borough community came together to celebrate the district’s strengths and identify opportunities for continued excellence. Teachers, administrators, board members, parents, and community members collaborated to identify district priorities for the next five years.
Goals set by the 2024-2029 strategic planning process guided the projects proposed in a two-part bond referendum on January 28.
Question 1 would improve our schools with a slight decrease to the tax rate, as it replaces a tax that is ending.
Question 2 would build an auditorium at Mountain View School, reflecting a priority in our Strategic Plan.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Every NJ taxpayer pays toward school improvements, but only districts that have voter approval can take advantage of that funding to make investments in their schools.
Other local school districts (West Morris Regional, Mendham Township, Washington Township) have taken advantage of these tax dollars to make improvements; we want to ensure that Mendham Borough gets its fair share, too - WHICH IS MORE THAN $3.3 MILLION!
ENRICHING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Increase building safety by adding a security vestibule at Mountain View School (Hilltop School already has one) and replacing the windows.
Create a fifth-grade science lab and update existing science labs at Mountain View and the Hilltop library (media center) to reflect today's collaborative learning environments.
MAINTAINING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Prioritize projects that qualify for the maximum amount of state aid (only available through a voter-approved referendum).
Replace lights, roofing, windows and boilers to boost energy efficiency and reduce patch-work fixes.
FOSTERING COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS
Build an auditorium at Mountain View School that creates an appropriate gathering place that would support performing arts education, and expand related arts courses to include public speaking, performance, production, and technical areas - more than 70% of Mountain View students participate in the performing arts.
Provide much-needed space to welcome community members to school events, such as graduations, the talent showcases, performances and more.
These Proposals Build Upon Our Tradition of Excellence
The Mendham Borough School District is an award-winning school district and is recognized for setting and maintaining high standards for our top-rated public schools. However, our buildings need attention, and our facilities need to be upgraded. The Board of Education developed this plan to ensure Mendham Borough continues to maintain the community’s tradition of providing students with an exceptional education that prepares them for the future.
The Board and district administration chose this funding strategy to:
Improve our local schools with the advantage of more than $3.3 million in state aid. This funding is only available through a voter-approved bond referendum.
Time the continued investment in our schools with a new tax starting as an older one ends.
See upgrades in just a few years while having the cost of the projects spread over time (similar to a home equity loan).
Watch this concept video to see what the proposed addition at Mountain View School could look like, if the referendum passes.
If voters approve Question 1 the Jan. 28 bond referendum, the owner of a home assessed at Mendham Borough’s average of $693,518 would see an estimated net decrease of $76 per year in taxes for PreK-8 school debt.
If both questions pass, the owner of a home assessed at Mendham Borough’s average ($693,518) can expect to pay a net tax impact of about $22 per month.
The projects proposed qualify for the state’s financial aid program that could bring more than $3.3 million to Mendham Borough.
Mendham Borough School District is committed to keeping the community informed and engaged leading up to Jan. 28.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
