A bond referendum is a vote by the public that could enable the school district to borrow funds through the sale of bonds. Haworth is considering this financial strategy for several reasons. 

The referendum process gives the community a voice – and a vote – in determining the district’s future, and a voter-approved referendum is the only means of receiving a certain type of state aid that is earmarked for building improvements. 

Our needs are changing, both for actual space and the way we use it. Our strategic planning process showed the need for modern facilities where students can explore robotics, drones, virtual reality, and other high-tech tools. 

Added space (see below) would allow us to serve more of our special needs students in their home district – the right thing to do for them, and a money-saver for everyone. 

We also need more space to maintain our small class sizes. 

An approved referendum on March 8 would set the construction process into motion.  A series of preliminary steps are required before actual work can begin: Architects make detailed drawings; planning documents are prepared and submitted to the state; bids are requested from contractors and awarded.

Most of the construction will take place in summer months, most likely beginning in 2023. Any work done during the school year will be designed to minimize disruption to students and staff. 

Project costs are estimated at $8 million. A combination of capital reserve funds and state aid would reduce the local share.

The district would use $2 million in capital reserves toward the project costs. State aid that's only available through a bond referendum would contribute another $478,000. 

The local share would be $5,749, 479, with a tax impact of $24.79/month for the owner of the home assessed at Haworth's average value of $630,681.