Hopewell Valley board approves submission of capital projects to state as district readies possible referendum

The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education on Feb. 24 voted to authorize staff to submit drawings and project descriptions to the New Jersey Department of Education as preparatory steps for a possible capital referendum. The submission does not commit the board to any ballot question or dollar amount, administrators said.

The submission request covers a list of infrastructure work carried over from a prior referendum and several new items board and staff identified as emergent: multiple roof replacements, HVAC and chiller upgrades, drainage and paving repairs, electrical switch-gear replacement at Tollgate, and classroom additions at Tollgate and Bear Tavern to remove portable trailers and create permanent classroom space. Administrators said the state’s school construction reimbursement program is expected to cover roughly one-third…