Moorestown’s interim school superintendent Joe Bollendorf held an information session regarding a March 2025 bond referendum at the library on Aug. 22.
Bollendorf outlined the scope of the referendum, the impact it would have on the school district and the rationale behind the administration’s request for additional funding. A second information session will be held at the library on Thursday at 7 p.m.
“It really has become meaningful to me to try to move this forward, because I always live by the adage that, ‘Your greatest attempt in life is to leave any place you visit better for having been there,’” Bollendorf said. “And I want to be able to do that for Moorestown.”
Some of the district’s buildings and infrastructure need attention, a factor that can hamper student education. Older HVAC systems and roofs are ready for replacement; space is insufficient for current and future students; and athletic areas are due for upgrades, among other needs. A bond referendum approved by voters would offer state funding for such improvements.
Upgrades under consideration include expanded and flexible learning spaces for students; safety and security enhancements; improvements to athletic areas, parking and traffic flow; drainage improvements; energy-efficient HVAC and lighting; improvements to outdoor play spaces to enhance accessibility, functionality and security; and aging infrastructure, according to www.future.mtps.us.
“ … This is a communal decision,” Bollendorf explained of the referendum. “It’s not any one person’s decision. This has to be driven by the community …”
Why now?
- The school district will soon pay off debt from a previous referendum, giving it the opportunity to manage the tax rate with strategic timing of a new investment.
- The elementary schools need space now, and the need will only increase with anticipated growth.
- It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain old equipment and find replacement parts. New HVAC systems and lighting would be far more energy- and cost-efficient.
Space issues are curricular issues
The opportunity to address space issues would create a more optimal curricular experience, the district says, by educating sixth grade students at the middle school; reimagining the Upper Elementary School (UES) as a pure elementary school for third, fourth and fifth grades; and freeing up space at Baker, Roberts and South Valley to open the possibility of full-day, tuition-free kindergarten and ensure reasonable class sizes.
Responsible planning benefits everyone
Students and staff: Renovations would improve student spaces in every school. Updates also would create the space and flexibility needed to reduce class size and accommodate learning needs.
Community members: Some projects under consideration include spaces that are or would be used by the community.
Taxpayers: When repairs and other projects are included in the annual budget, local taxes cover the entire cost. With a bond referendum, the state pays for a percentage of the projects, reducing the amount needed from taxpayers. The state will review the district’s proposal before announcing the amount of aid it will give.
Leading up to the referendum, the township board of education will inform and engage the community through an expanded website, social media, printed materials, outreach events and other means.
