After months of debate and community discussions, all three parts of Princeton Public School’s $89.1 million referendum were officially approved by Princeton voters on January 28, 2025. The first two parts of the referendum, which will fund infrastructure and educational improvements at PHS and PMS, were passed by a margin of 2,075–1,317 and 1,973–1,410 respectively, while the third part, which will fund expansions at Littlebrook Elementary, passed by a slightly closer margin of 1,890–1,491.

With the referendum approved, the district must now decide how to execute the projects. The money will go towards facility upgrades, including HVAC overhauls, technology improvements, and enhanced security throughout the school district.

“The most important [things] that we’re doing with this referendum [are] adding 23 classrooms and five small group instruction rooms, and we’re going to fix the HVAC at Princeton High School,” said Dafna Kendal, president of the Princeton Board of Education.

PPS has not yet released the details of the contract process, in which the district hires private companies to execute specific projects. PPS Business Administrator Matthew Bouldin noted that while the district aims to keep the public informed, some details can’t be shared immediately.

“We will give periodic financial reports, but we don’t want to be so transparent that we stifle competitive bidding on our projects by telling [contractors] what we think it will cost, or have budgeted,” said Bouldin. “With multiple projects happening at once, we have to leverage our professional consultants — architects, engineers, and construction managers — to keep everything on track.”

Inflation and logistical challenges could affect the construction timeline, with some projects expected to begin this summer and others that may take years to complete. Bouldin emphasized that managing costs will be key as inflation and tariffs impact material prices.

“We have built-in cushions but may have to do value engineering, which [could mean] scope changes and alternate bids,” said Bouldin. “A referendum cannot use interest earnings to expand the dollars spent, [but] the district can augment [costs] through capital reserves.”

That means any interest earned on the referendum’s funds can’t be added to the project budget. However, the district can use its capital reserves, which are funds set aside for long-term projects, to cover unexpected costs or supplement spending if needed.

Despite concerns over inflation and potential high spending, Kendal believes the referendum was the right financial choice for the district.

“Years of planning went into this, and I think that these three questions are the most cost-effective [options] that were available,” said Kendal. “I think that dollar for dollar, we’re going to get the most bang out of our buck, and also the $19.9 million of state aid, which will help to lower the tax burden.”

With the assistance provided through state debt service funding, it is estimated that the three questions passed in the referendum will result in an annual property tax increase of $532 for the average household in Princeton. This has caused some household residents, especially those without children currently in the school district, to speak out against the referendum.

“I am one of those many people whose taxes ballooned more than once in order to support what by now feels like a black hole of need,” said Princeton resident Daniella Bittman in a letter to local newspaper Town Topics.

PHS principal Cecilia Birge has a different metaphor to describe the passed referendum.

“For the referendum, it’s like our own house, right? For us at the high school level, we live in a 96-year-old building, and things through wear and tear need updating. Every 10 to 15 years, a lot of these machines need to be replaced. New technology comes in, and they need to be replaced,” said Birge. “As a taxpayer, I may not be here in five years, so it’s more equitable for me to pay my portion over time rather than all up front. It allows the burden to be shared by those who are still here when the improvements last.”