Community Park and Littlebrook, the elementary schools in the areas where most new housing is being built, could need modular classrooms to absorb more neighborhood students if these buildings are not expanded. This also could be the case at Princeton Middle School, which is already at capacity.  

The modulars come with a significant recurring expense – and are not eligible for the debt service aid that comes with an approved referendum. Each modular unit costs an estimated one-time fee of $400,000 to set up and about $50,000 per year to rent. 

Plus, travel between buildings and modulars would not be optimal for student instruction and services, and teacher collaboration, which happens most effectively under one roof.

While modulars could be used for classrooms, Community Park, Littlebrook and Princeton Middle School would have no way to expand their current cafeterias, gyms and music rooms. Crowded conditions in these spaces would impact students daily.

One of the goals of the bond referendum is to create more opportunities for students to attend their neighborhood elementary schools. 

If the district does not have more building space to accommodate growth, redistricting will occur sooner and at a higher rate.  

Students who are not able to attend their local schools would have longer bus routes. More busing means added costs in the district’s annual budget. 

The district has taken a phased approach to improving heating, cooling and air quality. Previous referendums have addressed HVAC needs at elementary and middle schools.

Now, the systems at Princeton High School are beyond their expected lifespan and in need of refurbishment and replacement. State debt service aid would cover a third of the $16.4 million cost for these improvements. 

The current steam boilers would be replaced with much more efficient hot-water boilers, and chillers would be refurbished. Rehabbing 250 classroom heating/cooling units would provide better air quality and air flow. The district could expect to save an estimated at $150,000 to $200,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs. 

Most importantly, students would no longer have to deal with the discomfort and distraction of classrooms that get much too hot or much too cold.

Our buildings date from the 1920s to the 1960s, and are not always conducive to modern instruction. The proposed improvements would address today’s learning needs with flexible classrooms that can be made larger or smaller depending on the lessons, and small-group rooms for instructional support and enrichment at PMS, and Community Park and Littlebrook Elementary Schools. The middle school also would get two new science rooms with space for technology and hands-on activities.

Today’s libraries have expanded to include technology and space for hands-on activities. Without the proposed improvements, we could not improve Community Park's small, outdated library to better align with students’ needs. 

Our teachers do a great job working within the current state of our buildings, but appropriate physical space has a positive impact on both teaching and learning.