Hillsborough Board of Education Releases Statement on December 10 Referendum
On Tuesday, December 10, the Hillsborough community will vote on a school referendum focused on addressing critical infrastructure and capital improvements to ensure a safe, healthy, and secure learning environment for the students and staff. Projects across the nine schools include roofing, air quality (HVAC), power and lighting upgrades, exterior repairs, and security, etc. This vote comes after the school administration and Board of Education have held over 25 informational meetings across the community to inform about the referendum. Additionally, the community has actively used the website that outlines the scope of the projects, tax impact, and addresses frequently asked questions - https://www.htps.us/repair_replace_revive.
If the referendum passes, the district will finance $35.4 million dollars in a twenty year bond, however special state aid will cover 40%. That state aid is not available if the referendum does not pass. The district is retiring previous similar debt next year, so after a brief overlap, taxpayers in Hillsborough Township will see a decrease in the debt portion of their taxes. Business Administrator, Aiman Mahmoud, noted “If this referendum passes, the taxpayers can take advantage of a 40% off coupon when the state aid kicks in and see that portion of their taxes go down for nineteen out of the next twenty years. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, the finances on this just make sense. Also, be reminded that if the referendum does not pass, the district will not receive that 40% coupon”.
The polls are open from 6am to 8pm for the community to cast their votes on Tuesday, December 10th.
