A bond referendum is an election that asks voters for permission to finance large-scale improvements through the sale of bonds. 

New Jersey’s public school districts use the financial path of a bond referendum to: 

• Get state aid to pay some of the costs (rather than fitting them into the annual budget with very little state aid). 

• Complete projects in a few years and spread costs over time (like how a homeowner finances a new roof or an addition with a home equity loan).

You can:

• Attend the virtual forum on Tuesday, September 30 at 7 pm. The link will be posted on this website closer to that date.

• Follow our Facebook page for updates and reminders.

By state law, funds obtained through a bond referendum can only be used for the approved building renovations planned in that referendum. Bond funds cannot be used for salaries, supplies, utilities or other day-to-day operational costs. 

The current HVAC system at Tewksbury Elementary School struggles to consistently balance temperature and humidity levels throughout the building. This can result in classrooms that feel uncomfortable — sometimes stuffy, damp, or overly dry. An upgraded system would provide more consistent climate control, creating a more comfortable and effective learning environment year-round. 

HVAC work makes up 92% of the Question 1 proposal. 

The HVAC system at TES is more than 22 years old. It no longer works efficiently and repairs are increasing. That’s more than inconvenient – it creates uncomfortable learning environments, increases repair and energy costs, and leads to conditions that can damage buildings, equipment and furnishings. 

The school district’s regular maintenance program has brought Tewksbury Elementary’s HVAC system to the point that replacement would be more cost-effective than continued repairs. The cost of that and other large-scale improvements is beyond what the district can cover through its annual operating budget. A bond provides a way to finance these projects over time.

More importantly, a special kind of state aid comes with bond funding. State aid would cover about one third of the costs, if voters agree to bond funding.  

Plans call for relocating two grade 5-6 science classrooms to the hall where grade 7-8 labs are located. Currently, those students learn in regular classrooms that aren’t even designed for science experimentation. Grades 5-8 would have modernized science labs. In addition to new flooring, ceiling and light fixtures, the following features would be included. 

• Lab tables along the perimeter of each room, with a sight line to a demonstration table. 

• Flexible furniture and storage solutions will be implemented to the greatest extent possible. New sinks would provide hot and cold water. 

• Grades 7-8 would also have labs equipped with safety features and equipment required for proper operation of the science program, including, but not limited to emergency showers, sinks, ventilation and accessible power outlets. 

The plan includes a complete renovation of two rooms to create modern, flexible spaces that support a variety of creative, hands-on projects. Highlights include: 

• Relocation of the STEAM room to improve collaboration with Art Room activities 

• Increased natural light 

• Adequate access to power outlets 

• New exhaust system to support equipment like 3D printers and vinyl cutters 

• Clear separation of projects that require lots of space for creation or could be messy 

• New, organized storage and display areas designed for the needs of each grade 

At Old Turnpike, many classroom doors are original to each building addition and do not meet current standards for fire protection or impact resistance. 

At both schools, exterior doors have hardware that is aged and worn, which results in doors not closing properly​​​​​​. De-icing salt has eroded the lower edges of some exterior doors, leaving gaps where air should not flow. 

Replacing the doors with bond funding would capture state aid to ensure that doors continue performing safely, help maintain climate control and protect in case of fire. 

Work will be completed in phases, with much of it planned for summer breaks to minimize disruption to daily school operations. Some of the projects could begin as early as Summer of 2026, and we are targeting Summer 2028 to have most projects substantially complete. Like many projects, the timing and the construction are contingent on a variety of factors.  Some of those factors are lead times, contractor availability, and the summer construction window.  

Careful timing and state aid are advantages for Tewksbury. The investment made to build the elementary school will be paid off in 2026, and the same tax rate can be rolled into payments on the improvements proposed in Question 1. Plus, the state will cover 34% of the costs (about $5 million) of those costs, which means we can complete $14.7 million worth of work described in Question 1 and still see a tax decrease of about $18 a year.

This type of funding is only available when school districts use bond funding. For Tewksbury, it means the state would pay 34% of the costs — $8.5 million we wouldn’t get otherwise. This strategy uses state tax dollars our residents already pay to help improve our own schools.

For example: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) replacements at TES will cost almost $10.6 million. About $3.6 million in state aid is committed for that improvement – only if bond funding is used.

HVAC costs make up 92% of Question 1, indicating what a high priority that work is. The idea of planning for the Question 2 projects over a few years assumes there is funding for those – and there is not. Each year’s operating budget comes after a series of tough decisions.

Saving for and completing something like science lab renovations would take a few years to fund – let alone the other projects in Question 2. Using bond funding would let us take care of Question 2 needs in two to three years and gain $3.5 million in state aid toward those costs.

• Improvement costs -- $14,688,916

• State pays -- $4,994,231

Tewksbury school district will finish paying off the investment of elementary school construction before this new investment begins. That means nearly $14.7 million projects can be accomplished with a tax decrease of about $18 per year for projects proposed in Question 1.

Question 1 can pass on its own. Question 2 cannot pass unless Question 1 also passes. 

• Improvement costs -- $10,322,514

• State pays -- $3,509,655

Projects in Question 2 would add about $211 per year to the school debt tax rate. Together, the net increase would be $193 per year. 

Question 2 cannot pass unless Question 1 also passes.

Question 2 cannot pass unless Question 1 also passes, so the tax impact is stated as one total. The net tax impact combines the tax decrease that would come with approval of Question 1 passes, and a tax increase for improvements proposed in Question 2.

Taxes are calculated on assessed value of property, not the market value that could come from a sale. We show the tax impact for a home assessed at the mathematical average in Tewksbury Township, which is $660,409.

Assessed value is used to calculate how much a property owner pays in taxes. The assessed value is different than the market value -- it is typically less.

Go to this website to find your assessed value.  

• Use the “Property Filter” tab to enter your address.

• Click the grey button to “show results.”

• Scroll to see the “Net Tax Value.”

The chart on the Funding page provides estimated tax impacts for a range of assessed values. Use a calculator and the formulas below to get more details. Please note that the estimated tax impact is an average over the 20-year term of the investment. 

First, use the directions above to find your home's assessed value — don't guess at its market value.  

Using your home's assessed value: 

• For Question 1 - Multiply your home’s assessed value by 0.0000274. This would be the tax decrease if Question 1 passes. 

• For Question 1 and Question 2 combined - Multiply your home’s assessed value by 0.0003191. This would be the tax impact of projects proposed in both questions. Subtract your projected tax decrease (from step 1) from this amount – that’s the net tax impact if both questions pass. 

Project costs are based on the best available estimates from architects, engineers, and financial advisors. They include a contingency amount in case market conditions change. If actual costs are lower, the district can only spend what voters approved, and any unused funds must go toward paying down the debt. If costs are higher, the district cannot spend more without additional voter approval.

The Board of Education restricted Question 1 projects to those that fit within the existing tax rate for school debt. They relate to building conditions -- such as the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) replacements that make up 92% of that proposal. 

The school district still has additional needs for its instructional program. All of Question 2 focuses on those needs by proposing renovations at Old Turnpike Middle School – including science labs, art/tech rooms and the All-Purpose Room. 

Question 1 can pass independently. Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 also passes.  

Without bond funding, the school district would still need to address facility issues over time. All costs would have to come from the annual budget, which could limit funding for other priorities. It would also mean Tewksbury loses the $8.5 million in state aid that only comes with bond funding. 

All registered voters in Tewksbury Township school district can vote in the bond referendum that will be part of the larger General Election ballot on November 4. If you are not registered to vote or you need to update your name or address, you must do so by October 14. More information about voter registration and how to vote can be found on the ​Vote page.   

Voters who are registered in Hunterdon County can cast ballots in person at any of three locations that will be open Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, November 2. Note that there is no early, in-person voting on Monday, November 3.

These designated polls will offer voting by machines from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10  a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. No appointment is necessary. 

• North County Branch Library in Clinton: 65 Halstead Street

• South County Fairgrounds 4H Building in Lambertville: 1207 Route 179

• Hunterdon County Library in Flemington: 314 State Route 12, Building 3

On the day of the General Election of Tuesday, November 4, a registered voter can vote at the specific poll shown on that voter's sample ballot (sent by Hunterdon County about a week in advance). You can also enter your address into the State of New Jersey's poll locator tool.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Some people may already be on Hunterdon County’s list for mail-in ballots. Those should be sent in late September. 

You can also get a mail-in ballot by submitting an application in English or Spanish.  

• To ask that a mail-in ballot be sent to you: The county must receive your application by October 28. 

• To ask for a mail-in ballot in person: Go to the Hunterdon County Clerk’s Office (71 Main Street in Flemington) by 3 p.m. Monday, November 3. 

If for any reason you are told at the polls that you cannot vote, request a "provisional ballot." They are a safety net that ensures legitimate votes are counted.