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Pitman outlines $21.3 million school bond referendum ahead of Jan. 28 vote
Summary
Pitman school officials presented two bond questions totaling $21.3 million for voter consideration on Jan. 28, 2025, estimating a local share of about $14.1 million after roughly 34% state aid and monthly household tax increases of about $7–$15 depending on passage.
Pitman Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Preston and Business Administrator Robert Miles presented details of a two-question bond referendum to the Borough of Pitman Council at the Dec. 9, 2024 work session ahead of a Jan. 28, 2025 vote. Mr. Miles said, “Question #1 – total cost of $14.2 million, and Question #2 – total cost of $7.1 million, with a combined total of $21.3 million.”
Question #1 would fund boiler and heating infrastructure replacement and upgrades and renovate seven elementary bathrooms to be age-appropriate; it also includes reconstruction and repairs to the Jr./Sr. High School track, parking-lot repaving and a partial roof replacement. Question #2 would fund an elementary-school high-efficiency gas-fired HVAC unit and a dedicated security vestibule at the Jr./Sr. High School. Mr. Miles said the State's portion is approximately 34%, and that “Question #2 cannot pass if Question #1 does not pass.” He estimated the local share at about $14.1 million if both questions pass.
The district provided household impact estimates. Mr. Miles compared current bonds at roughly $11 per month for the average household to an estimated $18 per month for Question #1 (a $7 monthly net increase) and $26 per month for Question #2 (a $15 monthly net increase). Dr. Preston said Jan. 21 is the deadline to apply for vote-by-mail and that polls will be open Jan. 28 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Pitman United Methodist Church.
Council members asked about bond terms and frequency. Dr. Preston and Mr. Miles said typical bond lengths are 15–20 years and the district expects to go out for bonds approximately every 5–10 years. During public comment, resident Walt Madison asked whether solar panels would be reinstalled after roof replacement; Mr. Miles said they “would likely not be reinstalled” because they no longer generate significant revenue, and he said relatively new window air-conditioning units would likely be stored or resold through GovDeals.
The district plans additional in-person and virtual town meetings at the Jr./Sr. High School before the vote to answer resident questions and clarify tax-impact calculations.
