Princeton Public Schools Strategic Plan and 2018 Facilities Referendum

The mission of the Princeton Public School District is: To prepare all students to lead lives of joy and purpose
os knowledgeable, creative, and compassionate citizens of a global society. To guide our work and ensure
that we are achieving our mission, the district has a Strategic Plan with five goals: Wellness; Every Child
Known; Closing the Achievement Gap; Innovation; Care, Connectedness, and Communication. The facilities
referendum will impact each goal.

Wellness
• More natural light, improved air quality, more access to water fountains
• Comfortable, accessible spaces to eat in a social and relaxed setting
• Outdoor learning spaces that incorporate nature and provide calm
• "Heart" spaces that foster collaboration and social connections
• Hallways that are better organized, less congested, and less stressful to navigate
• Entrances to schools will be both more welcoming and secure, helping students feel physically and
emotionally safe
• Open sight lines throughout a building reduce bullying behaviors
• Additional turf fields uncompromised by weather allow more time for practice and play
• Ergonomic furniture that can be easily moved and adjusted
• The 5/6 school supports the development of pre-adolescent students
• "Community school" concept connects local health and educational resources for students

Every Child Known

• Smaller learning communities within a larger school
• Flexible spaces for personalized learning and interaction
• Spaces for discussions, individual study, and reflection
• Hands-on maker space for expression and applied learning activities
• Spaces that accommodate all learning styles and encourage more student participation

Closing the Achievement Gap

• Flexible spaces that support individualized learning and provide more options for student
participation
• "Community school" concept brings teachers, parents, and community partners together to further
the physical, emotional, and intellectual potential of every student
• More opportunities for learning and engagement outside of school hours
• Air conditioning expands ability to provide instruction during summers
Innovation
• Collaboration, creativity, and authentic problem solving are supported by maker spaces
• More emphasis on problem-based learning, which asks students to study across disciplines
• . Flexible learning zones support small group collaboration and interdepartmental learning
• Positive impact of block scheduling at PHS enhanced by multiple space options
• 5/6 school will extend learning and engagement opportunities beyond the school day
• Sustainability through green energy, rain collection, solar panels, and rooftop gardens

Care, Connectedness, and Communication

• "Community schools" are hubs for families, with resources for healthcare and education
• Spaces in the new 5/6 school and at PHS will promote social engagement
• Comfortable places to connect during meals and breaks, and before and after school
• Flexible spaces more seamlessly accommodate students with special needs
• School "heart" spaces allow community to gather, and students and staff to connect
• Keeping a sense of community and connection even as enrollment grows
 Princeton Public Schools 2018 Facilities Referendum
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is the vote far the referendum?
Tuesday, October 2, 2018

What Is a referendum?
A referendum allows school districts to ask their community to approve funding to improve, upgrade, expand,
or add new school facllitles. Since New Jersey school districts are subject to an annual tax levy cap, adequate
funding to maintain, Improve, or expand facilities often cannot be absorbed within the district's annual
budget. Areferendum provides school districts with funding dedicated specifically for capital Improvement
projects separate from the district's annual budget Funding approved under a public referendum can only be
used for the projects that are part of the referendum.

Why Is a facllltles referendum needed?

• Enrollment: All schools In the district are currently at or over capacity. District enrollment has grown
by approximately 10% In the past five years, from 3,440 to 3, 769 students. Estimates indicate that
the enrollment will likely rise by another 10%, or 380 students, by 2022 and still another 8-10% by
2027, for a district-wide total of over 4,500 students. Princeton Hfsh School and John Witherspoon
Middle School are already out of dassroom space, and all of our elementary schools will be over
capacity within a few years.

• Maintenance: Updates are needed to maintain our facilitles, particularly for the mechanical systems
and roofing. Improvements also are needed at each school to bring security measures up to today's
standards.

What are the specific proposals that the referendum -ukl fund?
• PHS Renovation:
o Increase capacity at PHS and add more spaces for students to work in groups or study
Independently by turning the three outside courtyards Into usable learning spaces.
o Renovate current hallways and classrooms to create flexible, mufti-purpose spaces of
various sizes that alfsn with district's goals for teaching and learning

• 5/6 School at valley Road:

o Build a 5/6 school that will eliminate overcrowding at John Witherspoon Middle School and
all elementary schools
o Provide a smaller learning environment for pre-adolescent students Instead of expanding
John Witherspoon Middle School

• Safety and security:

o Create secure and welcoming entrances at each school building
o Update safety measures at all schools to meet today's standards, Including modem visitor
screening and management systems and door, hardware, and glass security upgrades.

• HVAC/Sustalnabllity/Maintenance:
o Replace aging HVAC units at all schools with more cost- and energy-efficient models
o Add air conditioning to rooms that currently are not air conditioned, lnduding classrooms,
cafeterias, multi-purpose rooms, and the PHS gymnasium
o Make Improvements around the dralnase basin at PHS to mltfsate costly flooding In the
performing arts wing

• Ath•et1cs:
o Install turf on existing lacrosse field and add safety netting
o Bulld a small bulldlns near athletic fields for bathroom, concession, and storase
o Add a motorized system to operate the bleachers in the PHS gymnasium that will reduce
wear on bleachers, extend their lifespan, and make It easier quickly to adapt the gym for
various needs
 o Create a partial second floor In the PHS fitness center to provide space for wrestling and
other activities

• Space for Valley Road Administration. Transportation and Facllltles

o Purchase 15 acres and two existing office buildings at Thanet Cirde for the employees, buses
and equipment currently housed at the Valley Road site
o The property also will provide future options to add athletic fields or expand the preschool
program

What wlll the facilities referendum cost?

The referendum will cost a maximum of $129 million. An estimated $20 million of the referendum costs wiH
be funded throush construction grants from the state and not by the Princeton taxpayers.

How will the referendum Impact praperty taxes?

Estimated annual additional costs• to taxpayers per every $100,000 of assessed home value:
ZOZO: $35,30
2021: $35.20
20ZZ: $82.70
2023: $26.30

The District's current debt service will retire In 2023, so district's old and new debt wlll overlap for a period of
four years. This means that the addltlonal cost to taxpayers will be higher In the first few years than In the
years after the District's current debt has been paid off. Over the llfe of the bonds, the estimated additional
tax Impact will continue to steadily decrease

•The cost of the referendum to taxpayers Is not cumulative - the referendum-related taxes In 2021 will not
be In addition to the amount of referendum-related taxes In 2020. These numbers are preliminary estimates
and will be revised after the State confirms the amount of construction srants. These numbers also depend
on Interest rates at the time that bonds are Issued.

can the district wait until after the current debt Is retired In 2023 to take on the addltional debt?
John Witherspoon and Princeton High School are already significantly over-capacity. Waiting to start
construction would mean continuing to squeeze students Into over-crowded schools, which Is not condudve
for teaching and leamlng. Waiting also Increases the risk of higher Interest rates and construction costs.

When will the construction, renovatlom, and Improvements be completed?

If the referendum passes, construction will begin In the spring of 2019. By August 2020, the new 5/6 school
should be completed, along with security upgrades at all of our schools and the updates to our athletics
facilltles. By August 2023, the renovations should be complete at Princeton High School.

What will Cranbury contribute?

Under New Jersey regulations, the tuition paid by Cranbury to Princeton Public Schools wlll be Increased
proportionately to Include a "bull ding use charge,• which represents the Interest on the debt service (minus
any state aid) for the PHS renovations. By law, Cranbury Is not allowed to pay for loan principle as the school
buildings belong to Princeton residents.

What happens If the facllltles referendum ls not approved?

If voters do not approve the Facllltles Referendum, the Princeton Public School District will still face a rapidly
growing enrollment across the district, and JW and PHS will still operate well over capacity with crowded
hallways and dassrooms. With more students but not more space, we would be forced to Increase ctass sizes,
reduce elective offerlnss, and take other actions to accommodate the enrollment growth. The District does
not have the 'ability to pay for safety and security uwades or athletic enhancements from the operating
budget. so we would not be able to make those Improvements.