2022-11-30-Community Message - Referendum 2023

November 30, 2022

Dear Bridgewater-Raritan Community, 

In a few short months, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will request funding for a district-wide facilities renovation project and the addition of full-day kindergarten via a referendum vote on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.  The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is one of the top-performing districts in the State of New Jersey, yet requires a significant investment in our aging facilities to continue providing a first-class educational experience for our current and future school community.  

Question Number 1 on the referendum will focus on a series of much-needed, essential updates to our aging buildings, many of which are over 60 years old.  Building upgrades will focus on structural improvements, such as cooling classrooms and improving the health, safety, and security of our buildings   The passage of referendum Question Number 1 will result in state aid amounting to 34% of approved projects and will not raise taxes as the district is rolling over payments from expiring debt.  

Question Number 2 of the referendum will fund an addition at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School that will create a traditional sixth- through eighth-grade school, the conventional New Jersey model. Shifting a grade will create ample space at each of our seven Bridgewater-Raritan Primary Schools to provide full-day kindergarten for our community.  The estimated tax impact for Question Number 2 will be approximately $111.00 per year for Bridgewater residents and $84.00 per year for residents of Raritan Borough (based on the average assessed value for homes in each municipality).  An additional question will be posted in November 2023 for voters to approve the operating budget for the staffing of full-day kindergarten. The passage of both questions will be required to provide full-day kindergarten for our community.  

 
The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is fully committed to continuing our tradition of excellence, and we encourage the community to join us in this commitment. 

Specific information on the referendum is available on our district website under the title on the main page: Referendum 2023 Information.  

• Please direct any questions related to the referendum to: referendum@brrsd.k12.nj.us.  
• The list of community/PTO meetings and updates regarding the referendum can be found on the district website calendar.  
• A community forum will be held during the month of February. The date will be shared in January, and the forum will be open to all community members.  
• Please follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook to see the latest updates.  

Sincerely,
Robert Beers
Superintendent of Schools

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