February 11, 2025
In a special election last week, voters overwhelmingly supported the Pitman School District, approving a $21.3 million bond to finance major improvements at two of its campuses.
The district had long recognized serious infrastructure requirements in its facilities, and the result, based on unofficial counts from Tuesday’s election, represents a significant step forward.
Pitman Elementary School and Pitman Junior/Senior High School will be the primary targets of the proposed enhancements.
New Jersey will contribute around $7.2 million toward the entire cost of the projects, and the district will borrow the necessary funds.
In addition to addressing long-standing facility requirements, this state funding collaboration will assist in lowering the local tax burden on households.
Superintendent Robert Preston highlighted the teamwork that went into the preparation and conveyed gratitude for the community’s participation in the process.
The district collaborated closely with an architectural team, and community input throughout the Strategic Planning phase assisted in identifying critical areas that required enhancement.
There were two distinct questions in the bond referendum.
By a vote of 895 in favor to 428 against, the first question, which addressed improvements for Pitman Elementary, such as installing air conditioning, remodeling bathrooms, and installing new heating and boiler systems, was approved.
The proposal asks for renovations at the high school, such as roof repairs, track and drainage repairs, and the building of a security vestibule, in addition to these necessary enhancements.
With 878 votes in favor and 442 votes against, the second question—which sought additional financing for the installation of air conditioning in the elementary school and the high school security vestibule—passed.
The results indicate a strong desire to implement these important changes, even if mail-in and provisional ballots are still being counted.
Starting in 2026, when the district’s current bond is redeemed, this will result in an average annual increase in property taxes for Pitman households of almost $314.
Although homeowners may have to pay more in taxes as a result, this is an essential investment in the district’s infrastructure.
Pitman Elementary School will get $17.5 million of the $21.3 million project, which will be used for improvements to the school’s restrooms, heating and air conditioning systems, and other critical areas.
The high school will receive around $3.7 million, much of which will go toward roof repairs, the security vestibule, and track and drainage construction.
In particular, $6.7 million is set aside for the installation of air conditioning, and $10 million is allocated for the elementary school’s boiler and heating systems.
The project also includes $700,000 for upgrades to the elementary school restrooms and $2.3 million for roof repairs at the high school.
Voters in a number of districts in New Jersey have supported similar proposals for school infrastructure improvements, making this bond part of a broader trend.
The advantages of obtaining state money and guaranteeing the long-term health and safety of school facilities make these projects essential, even though they frequently entail raising property taxes.
The upgrades in Pitman are making sure that the educational institutions are prepared to serve the needs of students in the future.
The district plans to proceed by setting up bond sales, creating comprehensive project specifications, and requesting contractor bids.
With state financing, school officials hope to finish these improvements without placing an excessive financial strain on local taxpayers.
This is a critical time for Pitman Schools, Superintendent Preston has underlined, demonstrating the district’s dedication to giving its children high-quality facilities.
Approximately 1,200 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are served by the district.
Pitman Schools will provide its employees and children with a more contemporary, secure, and cozy learning environment if these improvements are approved.
In addition to Pitman, comparable school expenditure plans were passed by voters in Princeton, Mendham Borough, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood during Tuesday’s election.
Pitman sees this remodeling project as the start of a new era in the district’s history, and local schools have a bright future thanks to community support.