We are anticipating the work to take 3-5 years to complete. If it passes, we would be ready on September 18 to start the bid process on the first round of projects. This cannot happen until and unless the referendum passes.

The district has estimates for each project, but overall costs are fluid. The goal is to deliver the projects within the overall budget, accounting for unforseen costs, inflation, and other cost drivers during the construction period. By law, the district cannot spend any more than the amount shown on the ballot for these projects.

The two most recent successful TPS referendums were as follows:

2000 - $17,980,000 (including $4,505,000 in state aid)
Scope of work: Elementary school additions and renovations, technology upgrades, ADA renovations, reimbursement of funds used to acquire property adjacent to Maugham, district-wide capital improvements (roof replacements, asbestos removal, window replacements & repointing), THS renovation, TMS library renovation, furniture and equipment purchases.

2005 - $33,400,00 (including $7,510,887 in state aid)
Scope of work: Tenafly Middle School and Tenafly High School additions

Yes. Funds raised through the issuance of bonds can only be spent on capital improvements that have already received state approval (which are currently under review), such as upgrades and repairs to buildings. The money cannot be used to cover employee salaries or to fund new staff positions.

Districts can only capture a special type of state aid through bond-funded capital improvements. All referendum plans go through a rigorous state review process to determine which projects are eligible for state aid. The state aid total is then calculated based on project cost estimates. 

Taxpayers across the state pay into the revenue for these school improvements when they pay property, income, and other taxes to the state, but only benefit if their community passes a referendum. Without an approved referendum, necessary projects would be completed solely with local tax dollars. With an approved referendum, those same necessary projects would be funded with a combination of state and local funding. This helps reduce the impact to local taxpayers.

The state allows districts to conduct a bond referendum as a special election on four dates throughout the year (January, March, September and December), or as part of the general election in November. The district’s initial target date for this special election was March 2024, but we did not have the necessary state approvals by then. As a result, the next possible date is September 17. The sooner we can hold this vote, the sooner we can get started on the bidding process, secure contractors, and begin work. September is the ideal time to do this ahead of the summer of 2025. Waiting until November would delay this process, likely pushing some larger projects to the summer of 2026.

Our security upgrade plans include adding security vestibules at all schools, shatter-resistant security film to all first-floor windows, bollards around all buildings where needed, and updated external doors with improved safety features. 

A referendum does not cover personnel or any recurring costs; it only covers facilities improvements. The Board has funded SROs (School Resource Officers) at the High School and Middle School to increase security presence in addition to individuals who serve as Door Safety Monitors for access control at the main entrances of each building. The state prohibits school districts from using bond referendum funds to cover personnel.

The need for flexible spaces at the elementary schools has not changed, despite declining enrollment. The district consistently has more students who require flexible spaces for one-on-one and small-group instruction and are currently working in less than ideal spaces. Any empty classrooms due to declining enrollment will be repurposed to accommodate programs that are currently in shared spaces.

No, the additions are to accommodate small-group instruction and flexible spaces, a music room at Smith Elementary School, and a full-day integrated pre-Kindergarten program at Maugham Elementary School (which would generate revenue). They would not impact our regular classroom spaces.

Every multi-stall restroom in the district would have improved accessibility, including those at Geissinger. We would also add an elevator to Stillman Elementary School so that everyone can access the 2nd floor, extend the elevator at Maugham Elementary School to access the addition, and repair the elevator at the High School.

The proposed fieldhouse would have appropriately sized spaces for all athletes with male, female and all-gender locker rooms, a team room to review film and hold team meetings, a larger athletic trainer’s room, and designated space for coaches. There would also be a concession stand and a public restroom. The old fieldhouse would be converted to storage and public restrooms, giving spectators and visitors the much-needed easy restroom access from the field. And the track at Geissinger would be resurfaced, which is long overdue. All of these improvements would comply fully with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

A new turf field would offer a more weather-resistant playing surface for multiple sports – and an alternative to the fields that currently get saturated by rain. When grass fields are waterlogged, practices and games get moved to the Municipal Field, rescheduled or canceled. Shifting play to the Municipal Field can bump off recreation teams. Rescheduling creates a ripple effect that impacts other teams. A synthetic turf field would be built on higher ground with a drainage system and lighting. Compared to natural grass fields, turf requires less maintenance to mow and stripe.

Lighting this new multi-sport, turf field would relieve pressure on the Municipal Field, adding 8 to 10 hours of recreational-league use during the week and potentially 20 hours on weekends.​​ And having a second all-weather track with a fence in the district would increase community access to the track.

The website has been designed to help everyone find the information they are looking for quickly, and community feedback has indicated an interest in projects related to athletics. While those projects represent about 10% of the total number of projects, they have a broad impact. Athletic facilities are also used by physical education classes and they relate to the use of other sports fields in town. Additionally, students at all our elementary schools are expected to eventually use the Geissinger Athletic Complex and High Schools facilities.

LED lighting is less expensive and easier to maintain, and it provides a more comfortable atmosphere for students and guests. LED lighting would enable us to illuminate the Middle School and High School auditoriums effectively while producing less heat for the performers on stage. LED lights last longer than alternatives as well, meaning that we would not need to spend money and time to install new bulbs as frequently. This option is less expensive, more effective, longer lasting and more sustainable than alternatives.

Replacing the sound system in the High School auditorium is a much-needed improvement. It has become obsolete with time and, as a result, is difficult to maintain. This update would allow an improved integration between microphones, soundboard and speakers. Modern equipment is vital to ensure our theater and performance arts programs are on par with other schools, and to provide a more reliable experience for students.

In the state of New Jersey, districts cannot raise taxes more than 2% each year (unless they use very specific waivers provided by the state), yet expenses are rising well above 2%. As such, our current operating budget covers personnel, programs, and building maintenance, leaving very little for significant building upgrades. Many of the projects proposed are simply too costly to ever be considered within the normal operating budget.

When available, the district has applied for and taken advantage of state and federal grants to assist with building maintenance.

The Borough’s recreation and travel programs use the district’s indoor and outdoor athletic facilities. The Middle School gym improvements would benefit the basketball programs, the High School multi-sport field would benefit the outdoor recreation sports programs and Recky’s Tiger Camp, the addition of public restrooms at Geissinger and behind the High School would benefit the community and spectators, and the addition of a second all-weather track with a fence would increase community track access.

The Borough also intends to use the Middle School auditorium as an indoor option for the Summer Concert Series in the event of inclement weather.

The strength and the value of our schools are integral to the quality of life in Tenafly.  Tenafly’s academics are top notch and often the reason people move here. Our facilities, however, do not match the community’s high standards. An investment in Tenafly Public Schools is an investment in community assets.

Additionally, as stated above, athletic facility improvements would benefit the entire Tenafly community. With a new multi-sport, turf field, the Borough’s recreation department would gain up to 30 hours/week in practice and game time. An additional 4-lane track with a fence would increase community access. ADA-compliant restrooms at THS and Geissinger would be an improvement for community members and spectators. Upgrades are also planned for the TMS and THS Auditoriums, improving the student and spectator experience. 

The Senior Freeze Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax increases on their principal residence (main home). To qualify, you must meet all the eligibility requirements for each year from the base year through the application year. Beginning with the 2023 filing season, new legislation increased the income limit for the program to $150,000 for Tax Year 2022 and eliminated the requirement that an applicant must be a New Jersey resident for 10 consecutive years to be eligible for the program. 

Email vote@tenafly.k12.nj.us with any additional questions and someone will get back to you. Alternatively, members of the Board of Education are always available to answer questions. Click here for their names and email addresses. 

Board members and members of our district administration will also continue to be present at community and district events. Finally, the board will host two community forums to present referendum plans and answer questions from residents: a virtual forum on August 5 and an in-person forum on September 9.