First of Just me. >> Dan, are we live recorded and everything like that? >> Ready to go. Well, good evening everyone. Thanks for uh being here tonight. Uh welcome to tonight's open forum regarding the Readington bond
question that appears on the November 4th ballot. Um tonight our agenda will be uh introductions of the individuals that are here to present tonight. We have a brief threeminute video to show highlights of the referendum. uh I'll give an overview of the
referendum um and talk about projects in brief and it'll be a high level overview uh because one we really want to take an opportunity uh to leave time for questions um from our person in the audience and looks like at least six
people online uh which is great. So we will uh allow for questions a little bit later on. Um, if you're online, there is a live chat feature. So, when we get to the Q&A section of uh our agenda tonight, feel free to type questions uh in the Q&A and we'll read them aloud and
we will answer all the questions. Um, the clicker. I just want to take a moment to introduce the folks that are with us tonight. um if you could bring up the presentation. Uh so this is our brief presentation.
The panel in front of you this evening uh includes uh the individuals uh many of the individuals that helped make our referendum possible. Um so I will allow Yep. I will allow everybody to introduce
themselves starting with Jason. Uh hello, my name is Jason Bow. I'm the business administrator. >> Hello, I'm Don Grace, facilities manager. >> Uh good evening everyone. Tony Solomini. I'm lawyer at the law firm of Leman and
Spitzer and we serve as the district's public. >> Good evening. I'm Kevin Sedenbrino with Senino Architects. We're the architect of record for the school district. >> Good evening. I'm Rita Sedenbrino with Senino Architects. >> Thanks everybody. Thanks for being here
tonight. Um I know our participation live is not quite as many, but we do have some folks online. So, uh hopefully we'll be able to answer some questions tonight regarding the referendum. Uh Dan, if you would bring up please the video and we'll start with our threeminut video and uh from there we'll
go back to our presentation. >> [music] >> Township has a unique opportunity to solve to unlock millions of dollars in state funds while using some but not all of it expiring debt to fund a net zero tax levy that will upgrade our souls.
It's a bond referendum you'll find on the ballot in the general election on November 4th. This video series has important information we want to share about the referendum, our goals for the projects, and how we propose to pay for them. November's referendum is 83 separate
projects spread across each of our four school buildings. From physical improvements like roofs, electrical and HVAC systems to educational improvements like classroom and media center improvements to community [singing] improvements like updates to our elementary playgrounds, athletic fields,
and middle school. A referendum is a chance to address decades of capital improvements at once with the scale committee at more than a third of the cost. In addition to more than 12 million in state funies, we see three key benefits. It starts with enhancing
our students experience. The improvements to our buildings will allow us to improve instruction, including renovated media centers and smarts to a life skills room. Even things like new windows that can make our classrooms foster a more active, engaged learning environment. The improvements will also
update our physical facilities because we know students can't learn unless they feel safe, comfortable, and can safely access what they need. For safety, we'll upgrade doors, locks, and communication systems to meet the school safety standards along with electrical and HVAC
improvements to a systems that can make our buildings healthier, more comfortable, and more efficient while improving accessibility to spots like walkways and playgrounds so that everyone can be included at school. Some of these improvements will also bring our buildings up to the latest code
requirements, which are expenses we know we'll need to cover that we can include now with the state's help. Here's what the refund will cost and how we propose to pay for it. The 83 projects total just under $38 million in improvements.
If Reington voters approve, $12.4 million would be covered through state, leaving about $25.5 million [music] to be financed locally. Because Reington has debt expiring in 2027, he can replace some, but not all of his debt
with a new expenditure at a net zero tax, resulting in a net tax savings of $17 on the average home, which is valued at about $452,000. The referendum question will appear on the general election ballot on November 4th. To participate, you must register
to vote by October 14th, 2025. You may then vote in person at your designated polling station on the day of the election or request a mail in ballot to vote by mail or drop in advance. And to dig into the details, finances, and benefits of all 83 projects in
referendum, navigate to the Readington referendum page on our website or by scanning the check mark, which will take you to the page. For anyone at home, uh if you were unable to hear or see part of our video, uh you could access our video by navigating to our website and clicking
on the tile uh that brings you to our referendum website and uh the video can be accessed there as well. So if anybody like to see the video in brief, it really does give you a threeminut highlight of what the referendum is all about. Um so at this point I'll continue
with the presentation and just move on to the next slide. Um, so this just explains that a bond referendum um will appear on the November 4th ballot and it's a public question. It's a question that is a yes no question and
it asks the public, the voters or the taxpayers here in Readington uh for approval to issue bonds uh by the board of education to incur debt to finance capital projects. Uh so this is on the general election ballot. It's a yes no question and the question revolves
around the funding uh of these bonds that total about $38 million. Uh why would we do a bond referendum? School districts choose uh to do a bond referendum to um enhance their facilities with projects that don't
necessarily fit in with an annual operating budget. Um, one of the benefits of doing a referendum allow for um, eligible projects to be assist get funding assistance through the state. Um, and there are some differences even in our bond referendum. There are some
projects that are eligible uh, for state assistance and there are some projects that may not be as well. Um, bond and principal interest payments are outside the cap. So, each board of education um, is limited to raise taxes at a 2% cap.
However, um the principal and interest payments if we borrow money is our payments outside the cap. And this gives the board the ability to finance major capital projects over a period of time um that's in advance of doing them a few
projects one summer at a time. So like the video mentioned, it gives us an opportunity um to do a lot of projects sooner rather than later rather than waiting um you know to put each project into an operating budget. Um on the next slide, we'll talk about some of the
considerations that the board um discussed as we prepare the referendum. And I'll I'll um talk about a timeline soon. We planned this this issuance of these bonds to coincide with the expiration of existing debt. And I know Jason will
talk a little bit more about the finance, which was one of our key drivers in going out for a referendum at this time. The timing was perfect. Debt is expiring. Issuing new bonds means that there's no impact to the taxpayer because we want to ensure that in a in a
in an economic time that we are not raising taxes and putting too much of a burden uh on a taxpayers at a time like this. We want to make sure that uh we balance our referendum projects with capital projects that we've achieved over the past several years. We we have
accomplished roof replacements, boiler replacements, window replacements, and roof replacements over the past 8 to 10 years. Uh but it's time for us to um accelerate some of our projects as well. Um our fin our facilities are getting older. Um they require some maintenance.
Um and we want to uh ensure that we prepare the Readington schools for the future. We uh took our time to uh start thinking about our referendum last fall. Um so we began with um
department meetings with the administration as well as with all of the teachers to get um input on what could or should be included in the referendum. We met with um you know various stakeholders. We had our architect and his engineer do
walkthroughs of our facilities. Uh we we did a public forum just like this last December to gather even more ideas of projects that could go into the referendum. Um and then the board of education voted in December. um or sorry, the bond attorney uh did his
presentation to the board of education so that by February, they could vote on all of the projects to be included in the referendum. This past August through now, we've done a public campaign providing information to folks about the referendum and it appears on the ballot
um next week. So, some of our stakeholder engagement involved um teachers, parents, uh through the HSA, the township committee, and community members. Uh this time last year, actually December of last year, we had another public forum just like this
where we sought some ideas. Our architect and engineer walkthroughs um were were key in helping us prioritize some projects. The board of education and the administration also did walkthroughs through all four buildings to help assist in the prioritization of
projects. Our architect completed uh his paperwork and did uh Department of Education submissions. The board of education approved a resolution to move forward with the referendum and a vote in November. Um and now we're in the process of providing as much information as we can to the public to inform them
of uh the referendum being on the ballot for November. Uh so I'll turn it over to uh Jason to talk about our projects at a glance. Um but we've basically put our projects into three categories. Facility upgrades, safety enhancements, and
student life experiences. Uh our goal through this referendum is to enhance our facilities as well as um improve safety, but also be mindful of the student experience here in Readington and do what we can to try to um make sure that students learn and come to
school every day in a comfortable, welcoming and warm environment. Um but Jason, have you had any information on the projects or Dom as well? Um so well the through the input of all the stakeholders we had over 250 potential
projects for um us to choose from and the board had uh the arduous task of going through the four buildings looking at what needs to be prioritized um consulting with our specialists um including the engineer and architect
on what needs to be replaced what's out of warranty what is failing at this point and that's why The vast majority of our projects in the referendum are facility upgrades such as roofs and HVAC systems. Most of these are end of life.
Um we have been able to accomplish some of these replacements through capital reserves like Dr. Huck mentioned. Um we've been able to redo the roof at Holland Brook School for about $ three and a half million dollars. It took us three years to do that. Um we also did some HVAC systems through the state um
energy uh uh program which covered about 80% of that. We were replaced two units. But if you think about how many buildings we have and how many roof sections we have and how much HVAC we have um the amount of time it would take to replace everything we need to would
eclipse 20 years. And the district currently only has about $1 million in capital reserves. So, I mentioned that we replace roofs for three and a half million, we do not have the ability to replace roof sections right now. Um, and with the 2% tax levy cap, um, and costs
rising as everyone is experiencing, it is getting harder and harder for us to put money away in reserves to be able to do this. So, this came at an opportunity time to allow us to go out for a referendum uh when we can lower taxes, but still accomplish these things where
before they fail and leaks occur and HVAC systems that provide heat to our buildings start failing and impacting our student programming um and our staff who teach. Um we're able to do that through lowering taxes and power upgrades. A lot of things we're also
looking at is safety enhancements. I mean, safety is the number one important thing in a school district. It's safety and security then learning. Um, with this referendum, we're including many upgrades that would enhance safety and security. Uh, these include door locks,
um, PA and communication systems. Um, some of those are 30 plus years old. Um, one of the pieces of equipment requires a specialist who's um, quasi retired at this point in the 70s to come out and there's only three people in the entire state that can repair a piece of
equipment. Um, Don can speak to um, uh, his team who he has sent to do HVAC training and now they are um, ordering custom parts for replacing some of these HVAC units. Um but most importantly, you know, we didn't want to forget about the
the reason why we're all here, which is students. And um you know, the district has 30 plus year old playgrounds. Um we've had to remove entire fixtures. The main team's done a great job even removing parts of the playgrounds that
have become hazardous. And these things just need replacement. It's like having a car. After 10 to 15 years, it's eventually going to die and you're going to need to replace it. The same thing exists in your home and as well in the school. So we have smartboards, we have
the track in the back, we have media centers that need upgrades to provide the optimal experience for students. So, with the referendum, we've compiled 83 projects, which is a tremendous amount of projects, probably the most amount of projects you'll ever see in a
referendum, um, at all four buildings, spread evenly to increase the impact across all grade levels and all students. And our hope was that we would touch every facet of the student learning process as well as the staff well-being. So that way we could create
a place where people want to come and learn and grow and become strong adults in the future. Um Tom, did I miss anything you want to add anything? >> I think you great job. >> No, we are very excited.
>> We are excited. It's excited at this opportunity. Um it really was purposeful planning um and gathering the input from the stakeholders in our community to develop that list of almost 200 or over 200 projects um and then working it to
the 83 projects that made it into the referendum. Um those of you who may have given input uh on projects, don't worry. We still have that list of 200 projects and we will work on um accomplishing that list of some of the ideas that we that we received from uh from our
community. Um but here's the key. Um funding. Um and I'll have Jason talk about this uh in much more detail. Um and and Tony if he wants to weigh in as well. Um a referendum is borrowing money. So, so the question on the ballot is, can the Readington public schools
borrow $38 million for all of these improvements? Um, and the funding details are unique um because there's no impact to the taxpayer. Um, but I'll have Jason walk through the funding, how it works. >> So, our we currently have existing debt
and and taxpayers pay that debt currently. Um, and those project costs were about 40 billion um, over the 20-year life cycle. Those are expiring in 2027. Because they're expiring, that
debt is coming off of our books. And if we're able to pass this referendum, we will have $38 million, which is lower than the $40 million originally uh, that we pushed out 20 years ago, which will lower taxes. So the board was very
cognizant of the taxpayers and making sure that we drafted a re uh referendum that would lower taxes um so that way there's no impact to the taxpayers and as interest rates start lowering which they are now that the savings could be
more than what's even listed on these slides tonight. And you know I'd be remiss to saying that you know we've had a lot of referendums nearby. Most of them have been for increasing taxes and uh our board is very cognizant that you
know there's there's trying times right now and we want to make sure that we are lowering taxes um for for local taxpayer for this co. Tony, do you have anything that you would want to highlight on the bond?
>> I guess just two things when Jason is talking about lowering taxes. Thank you. Uh just two things. Uh the first thing when Jason was speaking about lowering taxes, he's talking about lowering the debt service levy portion of the taxes. There's obviously the general fund portion and then there's
the portion that the board doesn't control uh for the municipality in the county. And I think um if anybody's been aware throughout New Jersey over the last couple years, there's there's probably been 50 or so referendum and that's to take advantage of that debt
service aid. Um, so as you saw from the slide which Jason went over, you're going to get about $30 million worth of projects, but the local impact's only about $25 million. And without taking advantage of a referendum, if the district were to finance these projects
on its own, it would have to come up with $38 million. Uh, so that's really, you know, besides the debt falling off, when Dr. art showed that one slide of all the things that went into consideration that debt service aid is a
really huge component of this project. >> What I uh what I when we Jason and I present uh one thing that I'll tell um you know at faculty meetings or at board of education meetings um is that those of us all of us who live in New Jersey pay state income tax and that $12.5
million is at the state level. we can access it um through a referendum. And why shouldn't we get some of the money that we pay in income tax back for the kids of Readington? Um it's it's there and we're able to unlock that funding. The
only way we unlock it is uh through a referendum. Um just some information. If you want to learn more, please go to our website. our video FAQs as well as every newsletter that I've sent out to the uh parent and community um are on our
website um you know you can scan the QR code and um you can contact us directly um at um the information that's up on the screen if you go to the next slide you can go to our website email um referendum or Jason or you can give us a
call um if you want to you can always stop by the board of education office um here at 52 to Reington Road. But um this is a a general overview. I mean, we we we want to take time for those of you who are online to field your questions.
Um we have one person in the audience. He's our board president. So, thank you for being here and supporting us. Um but if there's any questions online, I'll have Dan click over and uh we will open the floor to any questions that we have posted. Uh so I'll I'll read the
questions and it it says are we adding funding for our neurode divergent kids and support for kids who don't qualify for special education? Have we considered incorporating Montasauri principles into our schools? Less screens and more tactile learning tools.
Uh so in regard to question number one um when it comes to funding for students in special education um this uh referendum specifically has enhancements to students experiences specifically to students that are in our
life skills program. Um to the extent this referendum um uh accomplishes the needs of special education students, we also will do enhancements to things like middle school furniture, um some of the outside play areas for students to be
able to play. Um recess fields and new playgrounds for children. The playgrounds will be handicapped accessible uh for all kids. So to the extent that we're considering neurode divergent kids and students with special needs um all of the accessibility features uh are incorporated into the
projects in this referendum. Um related to less screens, more tactile learning. Uh there are student enhancements for playgrounds, the outdoor track, um outdoor recess fields are all included in the referendum to ensure that we uh
promote um student wellness um including staff wellness because I know our staff and our community members also use our track for walking um uh so we're going to incorporate them that way. Uh the the
district and board of education adopts an operating budget every year as well. And within that operating budget, we include funding through IDEIDA um as well as through our pupil services budget um specialized programs for students with special needs. Uh so
students are eligible through their IEPs for programs um such as resource room programs, self-contained special education programs such as our autism program or ERRI program. Um and we do that through our general fund budget and we do that every year as well. Uh so I
think the answer to the question is sort of two things. One, yes, there are certain projects that promote student health wellness and and are geared towards students with special needs. But don't forget on our operating budget side, we also incorporate uh um you know
an operating budget through to IDEIDA and our general funded pupil services for students with special needs. >> Yeah. And I'll also add to that. I mean included in the referendum is also specialized furniture. So there's um students that have 504 plans and other
accommodations that they may need. And we've had a history of providing those devices or equipment or needs to help those students um learn and be their best. And as part of this referendum is to enhance those needs particularly at
the middle school um for upcoming students. Um kids in the preschool and kindergarten level. um any child in our preschool program, the preschool is funded through um pea, which is preschool education aid, and that's
completely separate from this referendum. Um kindergarten students uh are in our buildings and will benefit from our playgrounds, our upgraded systems, the safety enhancements. Um you know, all of [snorts] those students will be included. So really, our
referendum tackles grades K through eight. Preschool is separate funding. Um and I and I'll also just mention that uh preschool right now is 100% funded by the state. Uh there's no cost to the local taxpayers for that. Um so ages
three and four attend for free in the private provider classrooms. There's no Smartboards. Um so that was done purposely to encourage uh learn through play and other curriculum uh which is more hands-on with manipulatives. Um so
you know right now that is in place and separately funded and we do use that separate funding for playgrounds um as well as uh furniture and we um have special needs that are met through that funding which is not local tax levy at
all and is not impacted by the referendum. Um, but if you have specific ideas that you would like considered for that, I would tell you to also email me because uh we can separately do that without the referendum. >> Um, next question from the same individual
is, what about parents who don't want their kindergarten or first grade kids on screens? Uh, my recommendation would be for you to contact your child's teacher and discuss that option with your child's teacher. We do have some alternatives. We do have several
programs that are online and our math program um does have a learning path online as well as some reading that does occur um online as well. But if that's something that you would like um for your child, make sure you contact your child's teacher.
Uh the next thing is I have a neurode divergent kiddo and he has been rejected for he has been rejected for any accommodations. Can I can you comment on that? Um, I can't I don't know your child,
unfortunately. Um, so if you have a question about accommodations or modifications for your child's education, I would contact the pupil services office [snorts] um or your child's teacher. Um,
if you're contacting your child's teacher, you should send an email to your child's teacher. The next question is, what email should I send that to? Uh I I don't know who your child's teacher is. I would recommend that you uh contact your child's teacher directly.
If you go to our school website, uh you'll be able to identify your teacher and there will be an email address and you can contact them directly. Are there any other questions from those online?
Any other information from our panel here tonight? >> Just a little ju [clears throat] just a comment with regard to project timing. >> Yeah. Um we uh based on the projects that are here, we would look at projects during the summer of 26 and the summer
of 27 with longer lead items such as HVAC. So it's important to understand that that uh should the referendum be successful in uh next week. Uh projects would happen over time. Um some sooner and some later and then we would do do
with minimal impact to the district. um some uh some after hours but mostly during the summers for the next two years. >> Yeah, I think that's a great point. On our website, the priorities are listed in each individual project one, two, and three. And you can see the priorities in
there. And with these items that are out exterior, because we try not to do interior renovations as best as possible to not disrupt the students and staff with exterior innovations, those are possible all year. So, not just summer
of 2026 and summer of 2027. For example, we could redo the track during the school year. We can redo the recess fields during the school year. And we can redo the lighting at White House and Three Bridges to allow for block parties at night and also dim the lighting automatically
um so that way it doesn't disrupt neighbors. We can do all of that throughout the entire school year. So, you know, we try our best to not disrupt the education process, but also uh to accomplish things as quickly as um you know, is desired.
>> Uh there was uh one additional comment that just appeared online and the comment is uh thank you for all of your work on this referendum. I hope it passes. Um thanks for your
comment. Another comment from Queen B. Can you elaborate on what additions and amendments you will include when you speak about making playgrounds inclusive? Um, actually, Kevin, can you talk I I know. Can you talk a little bit about how
playgrounds are now designed to be more inclusive in terms of the equipment and the surface? this the surface uh the access to the playgrounds will be uh barrier free which means there'll be no uh you won't have to overcome any any curbs curb
heights so there'll be uh a smooth access from the adjacent walkway to the playground um and all playground equipment will be barrierfree or ADA accessible in accordance with the with the current code in addition am I
correct in saying that on the playground it will also be a flat surface not like a grass surface or anything like that. So that if children need to access it, I don't know, wheelchair or something like that, >> service will be wheel wheelchair compliant and it will just slope slightly to drain.
>> Okay. And there's a variety of equipment uh that we can select for the playground that includes um playgrounds specific to students with neurode divergent needs. Um and our plan would be uh should the referendum pass to have a committee of
parents work with the principal and select specific equipment uh to make sure that there were no barriers, make sure that the surface allows for handicap accessibilities and make sure that there's equipment um that meets the needs of all children. And we'll work work with the equipment vendors and the
manufacturers to make sure that that's those are done and complete and all accessible. Sure. Uh, is this in regards to White House specifically? Yes. So, the playground upgrades are for both Three Bridges and White House schools, our preK through
three buildings. And and a lot of our outdoor spaces that are included in the referendum, like Dr. Hart mentioned, are used by the community. So, you may have a one, two, three year old that may not be yet in our buildings that will use the White House playground. It's a walking school.
Uh there's a lot of people that's where they congregate to meet other parents before they're in school district. So, you know, having these things be there for the community on Saturdays and Sundays at night for them to use, I think, is critically important. Um, you
know, and as Dr. Hart mentioned stakeholder input will be uh part of this. You know, I mean, there's things that can be enhanced at the middle school playyard that definitely can be used by our community. Currently, there's basketball courts, but there
could be a a variety of other things placed in there um that the public is free to use on weekends and week nights. >> The next comment is a thank you. Uh you're welcome. Um
any other comments uh from individuals online. We appreciate um the questions uh and the engagement from folks online. Please uh remember that more information can be found on our website. Uh if you have
further questions uh our website can answer many of them for you through our FAQs. Um our video is there as well. Uh a week from today is election day. Uh please don't forget uh this is your opportunity
to go and vote on November 4th. Um, and we appreciate your engagement and you being here uh to gather more information. So, thank you. Thanks everybody.