North Brunswick board sends two-question $64 million facilities referendum to voters on March 11, 2025

The North Brunswick Township Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to place two bond questions on a March 11, 2025 special election to fund building infrastructure work across the district.

The resolution, moved by Board member Mr. Wen and approved by roll call (Mr. Ali, Mr. Carter, Miss James, Miss Keith, Dr. Patel, Miss Toad and Mr. Wen voting yes), sends a two-question package to voters: a $53 million first question focused on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, brick and building-envelope repairs and bathroom renovations to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act; and an $11 million second question that would pay to replace windows, doors and locks, and which the board said would only take effect if the first question is approved.

The superintendent presented a comprehensive facilities study and the draft referenda package, saying the district submitted 23 required plans to the New Jersey Department of Education and received final approval. "This gives us a unique opportunity to present a referendum to the North Brunswick Township community that will provide for an investment in the much-needed infrastructure in our schools at zero cost to the taxpayer," the superintendent said during the facilities presentation.

District officials told the board the projects are eligible for roughly 40% state facilities funding through the New Jersey Department of Education, which would reduce the net borrowing impact. The administration said some district bonds will mature this spring, creating capacity to finance the approved projects without increasing the local tax levy; the board plans a January outreach campaign to explain the details to parents, PTOs and staff.

Educators publicly backed the referendum at the meeting. "The need for new and updated HVAC systems is desperately needed in our schools," Beth Pner, president of the North Brunswick Township Education Association, told the board during public comment. Pner described classrooms that had registered 36° after a break and said teachers and students had worn coats and moved classes to the commons because heating failed in some rooms.

Board members and administrators also noted ancillary repairs in the first-question scope, including masonry work at NBTHS and Lynwood and bathroom work to address accessibility. Architect Pete Campasano of USA Architects worked with district staff on a long-range facility plan that the superintendent presented to the board.

The board approved the motion to place the questions on the March 11 special election after returning from a closed session. The motion was moved by Mr. Wen; a second was recorded but not identified by name in the public roll-call exchange. The official roll-call vote was recorded as: Ali — yes; Carter — yes; James — yes; Keith — yes; Dr. Patel — yes; Toad — yes; Wen — yes.

Next steps: the board said it will begin districtwide outreach in January to explain the two questions to voters, parents and staff. If approved by voters, the projects will proceed in phases; if the first question fails the second question will not be enacted, per the proposed ballot language.

The board concluded its final meeting of the year and adjourned after passing the resolution.