The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday Watch video
HOPEWELL VALLEY -- Residents of the Hopewell Valley school district will go to the polls on Tuesday to vote on a $35.8 million bond referendum for repairs, renovations and upgrades in the district's six aging schools.
"Today, we have two buildings that are 90 years old and our middle and high schools are 50 and 60 years old, respectively," Superintendent Thomas Smith wrote in a letter posted on the district's website. "Despite regular maintenance, these buildings need work that is more efficiently accomplished outside our normal operating budget."
If the referendum passes, the district will receive as much as $12.3 million in state aid to help cover a portion of the costs, bringing the total cost for taxpayers down to $23.5 million.
The average taxpayer can expect to pay an additional $13 for every $100,000 of assessed value, the district said.
But officials said that if the bond measure fails, there would be no money coming from the state and the district would be forced to deal with necessary repairs and renovations on its own.
Projects include the replacement of rooftops, windows, heating and air conditioning units, lighting, fire alarm and intercom systems and the upgrading of playgrounds, restrooms and media centers.
A number of renovations and additions are also planned for Hopewell Valley Central High School.
The front entrance would be renovated to become ADA compliant and to provide a locking vestibule that would limit access to the building by anyone other than students and staff.
A new arts and wellness space would include a 3,500-square-foot theater and a 5,800-square-foot athletic space that would help ease some of the scheduling and space issues both during and after school.
Improvements would also be made to the cafeteria and kitchen.
More information on the referendum is available on the district's website. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.