Hopewell Valley board narrows school referendum to two-question plan, prioritizes critical infrastructure

The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education presented a two-question referendum model that would place urgent building repairs and life-safety work in a first question and optional space additions in a second question that could be considered only if the first question passes.

Board members and staff said the first question groups near-failure projects — roofing, HVAC replacements, sewer pump renovations, drainage and front-office safety upgrades and interior work at several elementary schools — while the second question targets capacity additions at Bear Tavern and Tollgate elementaries to bring students out of older modular classrooms.

Board secretary (presentation) and staff member Mr. Calavita summarized the plan, saying the board “pared down the list” of projects to focus on infrastructure that would otherwise risk school operations. He said the first question totals about $58,400,000 and, combined with the proposed second question, the package is roughly $84,000,002.35 after adjustments for escalation and scope changes.

Why it matters: Board members repeatedly framed the referendum as a hardware-versus-software choice. “If the hardware breaks, the software doesn’t run,” said Dr. Resnick, arguing the first question…