Princeton Public Schools Facilities Bond Referendum
Thoughtful planning to preserve the high quality of our education
Princeton Public Schools was built on a promise of educational excellence. We’ve maintained that promise to our community through proactive leadership.
Now, as Princeton prepares for significant population growth, district leaders and the Board of Education are proposing changes to manage increased enrollment. The Board will hold a bond referendum, anticipated in January 2025, that seeks voters’ permission to borrow funds for expanded and renovated building spaces.
Without such a plan to manage growth, class sizes would increase, and we would face challenges in delivering all the programs and services that our community values. The need to reconfigure buildings for more students comes with the opportunity to use spaces more strategically. The proposed improvements include more room for science, the arts, small-group instruction, collaborative projects, and other modern educational priorities.
By building on the solid foundation of our district, we can plan for a bright future.
Community in Focus
With input from community members, we developed a proposal that focuses on our shared priorities:
Creating space to welcome new students as Princeton’s population grows
Maintaining small class sizes
Continuing valued services and programs such as Dual Language Immersion (DLI) at Community Park School.
Preserving a neighborhood school model, with elementary schools within walking distance of as many students as possible
Reducing the level of redistricting
Benefits of a Bond Referendum
A voter-approved referendum comes with several financial advantages:
Up-front funding to complete improvements within a few years, as a homeowner would use a home equity loan
The ability to spread costs over time; all Princeton residents – including future residents – would share in the investment over the borrowing term
State debt service aid that reduces the amount required from local taxes to make major improvements
Residents across the state pay into the revenue that funds debt service aid, but only communities that vote to approve referendums will benefit
Improvements at a Glance
The bond proposal was structured to create parity among the four elementary schools so all could provide students with similar experiences and small class sizes while accommodating enrollment growth.
Community Park School: Additional space would allow most neighborhood students to attend CP, whether they opt for Dual Language Immersion or a traditional curriculum. New construction would add classrooms and a multipurpose room/gym, and the cafeteria, library, music room and small-group instruction spaces would be renovated.
Littlebrook School: New classrooms and a vocal music room would be part of an addition, and student support services and small group instruction areas would be renovated.
Princeton Middle School: Renovations would create science classrooms and flexible instruction space. An improved main entrance and hallway that creates a full loop around the school would enhance building flow. The cafeteria would be expanded and renovated, and a multipurpose room would be added. The multipurpose space would be available outside school hours for public use through a separate exterior door. The vocal music and band rooms also would be expanded.
Princeton High School: The Information Technology Department would be shifted to the middle school, freeing up flexible space to be used as collaborative, presentation and instructional areas.
What Comes Next?
The state Department of Education is reviewing the district’s proposal for improvements. This process will determine the amount of debt service aid that PPS would receive and will allow us to determine the best estimate of tax impact.
District leaders and Board members will engage the community through events and communicate information through social media, news releases and more.
This website will serve as the hub of all information and will be updated regularly.
Watch this website to learn more
Special election anticipated in 2025
