Bridgewater-Raritan High School (BRHS) students and staff were given a presentation on the proposed Referendum 2023 by Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Dr. Daniel Fonder on Thursday, Feb. 9. 

This presentation happened during Unit Lunch in the auditorium of BRHS, where Dr. Fonder reviewed what the proposed referendum consists of and answered any questions from students and staff. 

Referendum 2023, he explained, consists of a two-part $155 million proposal. The first part asks residents of Bridgewater and Raritan to approve $120 million to upgrade the 11 district schools, with no tax impact.

The second part, with a projected cost of $34 million, will provide for renovations to the Middle School and create a full-day kindergarten, having a tax impact on residents. A Bridgewater home that is valued at $488,933 will have its taxes increased by $90 per year, and taxes on a Raritan home valued at $320,255 will increase by $66 per year. These projections are based on a 4.5 percent interest rate on the average assessments of homes in both communities.

However, the referendum would not actually cost $155 million because the State of New Jersey is offering $42 million in debt service aid. Referendum 2023 would actually cost $112,794,314.

Residents of Bridgewater Township and the Borough of Raritan will vote on the referendum on March 14. 

Dr. Fonder also went into detail on why the referendum is being proposed.

“We are asking for additional funds for projects that you can’t do in the regular budget,” he says.

These projects, he explains, include modernizing the school facilities by providing air conditioning for all classrooms and replacing old windows with new and secure ones. While there have been smaller repairs done in the past, such as window repairs, these were fixed only when necessary. 

Dr. Fonder’s presentation also included the potential renovations that the high school may undergo to become more modernized. Among these renovations include exterior lighting in the senior parking lot, an upgraded auditorium, and improved changes to the Basilone Field. 

Particularly for the field house, Dr. Fonder mentions actual bathrooms would be created. As well, gates would be put up around Basilone Field to direct people where to go and where to enter, making it a more traditional venue. This would also entail having a traditional ticket booth and concession stand. 

BRHS junior Cailin Filep describes the difficulties of the current bathrooms in the field house.

“There’s always such a long line,” Cailin explains. “When you have to get to practice on time, it’s difficult.”

Although these renovations would not start until the summer of 2024, if the referendum were to be approved, and therefore not affect current high school students, Dr. Fonder explains that for the current high schoolers, it’s more about “being civic-minded and wanting to leave the school better than they left it.” 

Dr. Fonder also believes that “whether or not you vote yes or no, it’s important to be educated about what the referendum is.”

BRHS students and staff have another opportunity to learn about Referendum 2023 with a second presentation by Dr. Fonders on Friday, Feb. 17 in the auditorium during Unit Lunch This presentation will be the same one presented on Feb. 9.

A Community Forum will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the BRHS auditorium, where all residents are invited to learn about Referendum 2023. The presentation is scheduled for 6 p.m. All residents are invited.

Click HERE for information on BRRSD Referendum 2023.