The Boonton Township School District is holding a referendum, or vote, to ask the community for permission to borrow $28.5 million by selling bonds. If voters approve the proposal, the district will use the funds to improve Rockaway Valley School and meet today's educational needs, in addition to unlocking $7.2 million in state aid.  

After the 2024 referendum failed, the district invited community input and held productive conversations with teachers, administrators, student reps, and community members across Boonton Township. We also held Community Connection meetings with residents. 

This became an important step for Board members and district leaders to listen carefully and take feedback into account as we balanced the needs of our school with our responsibility to the community. 

We are holding a referendum now because our building systems and equipment are close to or at the end of their lifespan. Long-term solutions are needed to create a more functional school and avoid building damage, as well as the cost and disruption of equipment failures. 

We have worked with our architect to carefully and strategically develop a plan that would maximize our existing space, update our aging facilities, accommodate enrollment growth, and maintain the quality of education that our community is proud of.  

The projects in this referendum focus on district needs while balancing our responsibility to the taxpayers of Boonton Township.  

If voters approve, the district will get access to $7.2 million in state aid toward the project costs, as well as upfront funding to complete the projects quickly and efficiently.  

While school parents, staff, and students would be most directly affected by building upgrades, the entire Boonton Township community and its residents benefit from having a strong public school district in a small town like ours, whether or not they have children attending. When people look for a place to live, public schools are one of the top considerations. 

The 20-year bond term plan means residents would contribute only when they are benefiting by living in Boonton Township. Plus, state aid would help offset the cost to taxpayers.  

If the bond referendum does not pass, the district will lack the funding to address all the time-sensitive building issues and enhance learning environments. 

An approved referendum provides upfront funding that spreads the cost over time. Without this, it would be challenging to fit any projects within the annual budget. The annual budget covers regular operating expenses such as healthcare, salaries, and academic programs. 

In addition, if any improvements are included in the annual budget, they will not be eligible for the state aid that comes with an approved bond referendum.  

The district has already lost the opportunity for more than $800,000 in state aid toward the school roof, which couldn’t wait for replacement. The risk for other costly breakdowns will increase as facilities continue to age. 

The Boonton Township School District is committed to sharing comprehensive information about the bond proposal with all Boonton Township residents prior to voting.  

In addition to this website, the district will keep community members informed through social media, a town-wide mailing, and other opportunities to answer questions. 

Follow this website for updates. 

Rockaway Valley School is making the best use of its existing space, but it is no longer meeting the needs of students and staff.  

Proposed projects would address critical needs to upgrade our facilities, meet the evolving educational needs of students, and maximize high-quality learning spaces. Project categories focus on two priorities: building /maintenance improvements and educational space upgrades. 

• The building addition would address the district’s increasing need for space, giving students the proper space to learn and grow. 

• The nurse’s office renovation would enhance accessibility, and art/science room renovations would create efficient and collaborative spaces. 

• HVAC system updates would ensure a comfortable working environment for students and staff, and adding air conditioning to classrooms would help students focus on hot and humid days.  

• Alarm replacements would enhance safety and ensure our building systems are up to date with the latest technology.  

Rockaway Valley School is already pressed for space. Classrooms are being used by 2-3 teachers simultaneously; windowless storage rooms have been converted for educational use; and enrollment is projected to increase in the next few years.  

Today’s schools also must support a wider range of programs which require more than just desks and a chalkboard. Flexible spaces are needed for group work, hands-on activities, and quiet study areas.  

The proposed addition would open the opportunity to better support modern teaching methods and avoid overcrowding. 

Proposed alarm upgrades would support existing systems to meet current safety standards and improve technological capabilities. Over time, hardware ages, software becomes outdated, and compliance requirements change, making it necessary to replace alarms to maintain effective protection for our students and staff. 

The current art room has not had significant upgrades since the original school building opened in 1959. As a result, the space is not configured for modern instruction. It lacks storage for projects and supplies, and the old sink is out of reach for the youngest students and too short for some of the older students.  

In addition, the current science room has no sinks and is not designed to match our curriculum’s collaborative, hands-on learning components. This means that lab time, a key component of learning science, is limited for students.    

Renovations to both spaces would support modern instruction by adding more adaptable environments that enhance collaborative and project‑based learning.  

Science room renovations would prioritize lab equipment and materials to enable experiments and real-world problem-solving. Art room renovations would provide ample space and storage for materials, encouraging students to explore creativity and technical skills. 

The original portion of Rockaway Valley School was built in the 1950s, when asbestos-containing materials were commonly used in construction. Contractors who work on renovations are required to remove or mitigate materials that could be considered hazardous.  

After the 2024 bond referendum failed, this new bond proposal includes abatement where projects are still proposed, and in any areas of the building where asbestos materials remain. This work should eliminate all asbestos materials and will save the cost of required annual monitoring. 

The Board of Education and district leaders evaluated ongoing building needs and reviewed community feedback after the previous 2024 referendum. An adjusted bond referendum remained the best approach to address the scope of improvements because of the availability of upfront funding.  

An approved referendum would also bring $7.2 million in state aid for projects to modernize our school building and optimize students’ educational experiences. Boonton Township residents have already contributed to this funding source through state taxes.  The only way to bring these dollars back to Boonton Township School District is through voter approval of a bond referendum.   

The NJ Department of Education oversees the process of public schools using bond funding. School districts can only spend the amount of money approved by voters and only on projects described for the referendum. Bond funding cannot be used for salaries or other everyday operating costs. It can only be used for long-term capital expenses. 

The Boonton Township School District has worked closely with our architects and financial advisers to arrive at realistic cost estimates for the projects and related fees.  

State law prohibits the district from spending more than the amount on the ballot, and cost estimates include a contingency amount that accounts for spikes in things like material costs, gas prices, and interest rates. 

If actual costs do exceed bond revenue, the district would search for more efficient means of achieving the referendum’s overall objective and/or reduce the scope of work. Cost efficiency is a priority for the Board of Education and our team of professional consultants.  

The district is not permitted to spend referendum funds on projects other than those included in the proposal. If costs are less than anticipated, state law requires the district to return all unused bond proceeds to the taxpayer in the form of lower taxes.   

The State of New Jersey will contribute approximately $7.2 million toward the total project cost of $28.5 million, helping offset local costs by approximately 25%. The Department of Education already confirmed the district’s aid eligibility based on the architect’s overview of the projects.  

Taxpayers across New Jersey pay toward the revenue that helps fund school construction projects, but the money only returns to communities where voters approve referenda. 

The owner of a home assessed at Boonton Township’s average of $533,155 would pay around $80 a month after state aid is factored in. The bonds would be repaid over a 20-year period, allowing the district to make critical improvements today while spreading the cost over time. The cost is shared among all taxable properties throughout Boonton Township.   

Use the tax calculator on the Funding page to determine what payment you could expect based on your home’s assessed value (which is different, and typically less, than market value). 

Assessed value is the basis for the estimated tax impact. In contrast, a property’s market value is the guesstimate of what it might sell for in the current real estate market. Searching for a service like Zillow.com provides a market value guesstimate.   

Interest rates for school bonds are tax-exempt and therefore lower than mortgage or other types of borrowing rates.   

Our financial advisers consistently seek cost-saving opportunities, including more favorable interest rates. Like other costs associated with this plan, the initial bond borrowing is done through a competitive bidding process to ensure the best deal for the district.   

The district can refinance bonds for an even lower rate during the 20-year term. Competition for the best rate is a benefit for taxpayers, especially when costs have been shifting.   

Many of the current systems at Rockway Valley School are outdated and inefficient. Proposed projects include the replacement of HVAC systems and boilers and lighting, all of which would contribute to long-term operational savings on energy costs.  

The annual budget covers costs of day-to-day operations such as salaries, supplies, utilities, and educational programs. There simply is not enough room in the budget to address every project proposed in the Nov. 3 bond referendum.  

Even if improvements were completed piece by piece over many years, the district would miss out on receiving state aid to cover a portion of the costs. The district would receive $7.2 million in aid for the project proposed in the bond proposal pending voter approval. State aid only comes with bond borrowing – not the regular taxes for the annual budget. 

The State of New Jersey offers a property tax reimbursement program known as "Senior Freeze." Once applicants are approved, their property tax payments are “frozen” at the current amount, and they will receive a rebate if taxes increase because of the bond referendum or any other reason.  

A new law increased the income limit for the program to $150,000 and eliminated the requirement that an applicant live in New Jersey for 10 consecutive years. Other requirements for age/disability and three years of home ownership remain.  

More information, including how someone qualifies for this program, is available through the state’s Senior Freeze webpage or by calling the Senior Tax Freeze hotline at 1-800-882-6597. 

This year's bond referendum will take place during the 2026 General Election. Anyone who is registered to vote can participate as long as your registration is up to date with your legal name and Boonton Township address.  

Check your registration status on the NJ Voter Search tool. You must have an updated registration by Tuesday, Oct. 13. 

Any registered voter can request a Vote by Mail ballot by mailing an application to the Morris County Clerk’s Office (applications are not accepted online). To receive a ballot by mail, your paperwork must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 27. After that date, the clerk’s office will continue accepting Vote By Mail applications in person through Monday, Nov. 2.  

Additional Vote By Mail information is available on the Vote page. 

There are two ways you can vote in person during the 2026 General Election.  

• Early voting will be available from Saturday, Oct. 24 to Monday, Nov. 1 in the Council Chamber Room (155 Powerville Rd., Boonton). 

• Day-of voting will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The district will add the poll locations and times here when available.  

If you are turned away at your polling place for any reason, ask for a provisional ballot. 

A provisional ballot is counted once election officials verify your voting eligibility and confirm that a valid ballot has not already been submitted.