Sweeping School Referendum Will Go To Florham Park Voters Nov. 5

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — A sweeping school referendum will go to voters Nov. 5.

If approved, the $24.8 million referendum will be presented to residents in two questions.

The first question would allocate $19.8 million in improvements to Briarwood and Brooklake Elementary School, and Ridgedale Middle School. The improvements include:

• Replacing the roof at Briarwood for $1.2 million
• Installing an HVAC system in Brooklake classrooms for $2.9 million
• Installing an HVAC system for $3.6 million and renovating the wellness center and the auditorium at Ridgedale for $2.1 million

The second question would allocate $5 million for various upgrades at Briarwood, Brookdale, and Ridgedale schools, including renovating bathrooms in three schools.

Florham Park schools date back to the 1950s and 1960s.

"The schools were designed for a different time, with different systems, materials and different approaches to teaching and learning," district officials said in an explanation of the referendum, the projects, and consequences. "Updated learning spaces will allow teachers the flexibility to group students and learning experiences according to the individual needs of learners and in ways that complement and/or enhance instruction."

Many of the systems pegged for replacement are past the end of their lives, officials said. Construction could begin next summer.

The State of New Jersey will cover approximately 40 percent of the projects' costs, but only if the referendum passes.

If both questions pass, the school portion of local tax bills would increase $13 annually for the owners of the average assessed home of $658,000.

Anyone with questions about the referendum should contact the Florham Park School District at 973-822-3880, email referendum@fpks.org, or visit a frequently asked questions page the district created for the referendum vote.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com