In an effort to ensure the passage of the largest referendum Princeton Public Schools has proposed in over two decades, PPS officials have begun several initiatives to share information with voters and address any resulting concerns. These include virtual forums, a website devoted to the referendum, and in-person tours of issues with school facilities.

The referendum is divided into three parts called “questions.” The first part, with an estimated cost of $37.9 million, would fund improvements to the PHS HVAC system and an expansion of Community Park Elementary school. The second part, with an estimated cost of $38.3 million, which can only be approved if the first part is passed, would cover expansions to PHS and Princeton Middle School. The final part, contingent on the passage of the first two parts, would fund expansions to Littlebrook Elementary School.

In total, the referendum — if passed — would have an annual tax burden of $532 on the average Princeton home assessed at $850,000. Thus, PPS officials have been keen to explain the critical importance of the referendum and consequences the district would face if the referendum were to fail. Business administrator Matthew Bouldin highlighted the importance of the referendum’s first section.

“If [question] one doesn’t pass, it’s definitely going to be an issue. We’re going to have to really look at our programs and possibly have to do redistricting more often,” said Bouldin. “If it’s overcrowded at one [elementary] school, we would have to make shifts, and it’s really disruptive and difficult to do that.”

Kathie Foster, PPS’s Interim Superintendent, elaborated on the consequences PPS would face if the overall referendum were to fail, including larger class sizes, overcrowded schools, and reduced programming.

“We would need to repurpose existing spaces for regular classrooms, making it harder to provide all the programming we believe is important in key areas, such as art and science. [Further], modular classrooms, or trailers, may be needed, straining the operating budget,” Foster wrote in an email to The Tower.

PPS teacher and union leader Renee Szporn noted that in some instances, the challenges Foster warns of are already being faced by teachers.

“In our seventh and eighth period class, we have 24 to 25 students and we can’t fit those kids in that room. It is tight, and it impacts teaching,” said Szporn. “It’s very difficult to do cooperative teaching.”

However, Szporn believes that the frequent use of referendums is not the best way to solve long term district issues. Last year, the Princeton community passed a $13 million bond referendum for security and major maintenance upgrades. Moreover, a referendum in December 2018 helped fund security vestibules at the middle and elementary schools, as well as HVAC upgrades.

“I think you always have to plan for growth ... you just can’t keep asking the taxpayers to keep paying for things.” said Szporn. “I think taxpayers are tired. And I think to keep asking and drawing from the same well is a little tough.”

To address community concerns and highlight necessary improvements to the district buildings, elementary, middle, and high school tours will be offered through December and January. In a December 8 tour to community members, PHS Principal Cecilia Birge emphasized the importance of updating the school’s HVAC, which is the oldest in the district. Birge also cited the school’s increasing population as a reason to support the referendum, which at around 1500 students sits well above the 1200 she believes the school can perfectly accommodate. PPS officials have also sought to inform community members about the importance of the referendum through more accessible methods.

“We have written letters to the editor of all local publications explaining the facilities referendum questions and offering opportunities to learn more about our plans,” said Foster. “Members of the public who attend events at the schools, such as the fall plays and concerts at [PHS] and [PMS], will hear brief announcements about the… referendum and how to learn more.”

Beyond advertising the referendum, PPS officials are also arguing that even Princeton voters without children in the district, who, as taxpayers, should also vote in the district referendum.

“The property values of homes are definitely related to the quality of the schools. In that sense, somewhat directly, people that own properties in Princeton benefit from the improvement of schools overall,” said Bouldin.

Foster believes that given the many efforts of the PPS administration in promoting the referendum, Princeton voters will vote to approve it.

“We feel confident that if we effectively make the case for the referendum, community members will see that they are sensible, cost-effective investments in sustaining the quality of the education we provide and the experience our students enjoy,” said Foster.