Morris School District's $158.4M Referendum: What To Know

MORRISTOWN & MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Morris School District is looking to make $158.4 million in upgrades to its schools; however, the decision lies in the hands of the taxpayers.

This referendum is the district's first in nearly 30 years, and while $158.4 million sounds like a hefty number, $46.4 million would be covered by the state. That leaves $112 million up to the taxpayer.

Governor Mikie Sherrill’s recently proposed state budget calls for a roughly $21,000 loss in state aid for the Morris School District, a less than one percent loss compared to last year. School officials told Patch that the “slight reduction” in state aid will not impact the district’s proposed projects.

What Are The Upgrades?

1) Infrastructure:

○ New windows would let in more natural light and provide improved security and insulation
○ Roofing would be replaced where it is at the end of its useful life, putting buildings at risk for leaks and costly repairs
○ HVAC projects would enhance comfort and efficiency

○ Building management systems monitor equipment to reduce
unnecessary use and utility costs
○ New boilers
○ Conversion from steam to water heat
○ Classroom unit ventilators that bring in fresh outside air, and provide heating and cooling

○ Electrical upgrades would enhance safety and efficiency, and support the modern demands of educational technology. Emergency generators and fire alarms
would be upgraded where needed.
○ Bathrooms would be modernized with touch-free technology, and improved ventilation and accessibility

2) Expanded space

○ The Morristown High School (MHS) cafeteria has seating for 300, around a fifth of the school’s enrollment. Expanding the cafeteria would ensure students have adequate time and space for lunch.
○ Frelinghuysen Middle School (FMS) holds World Language instruction and other classes in trailers because of a longstanding space shortage. The workaround is less than optimal for instruction, and transitions to and from the trailers cut into learning time. An eight-classroom addition would bring all students under one roof.
○ Sussex Avenue School had to shift World Language to a cart and might need to repurpose other learning spaces to keep up with high enrollment. A three-classroom addition would relieve crowding and create room for accessibility and safety upgrades.

3) Educational experience

○ The FMS addition would create room for a STEM lab to support modern curriculum standards and prepare students for the STEM Academy at MHS
○ The FMS auditorium has outdated and poorly functioning seats, lighting, and other equipment. A plan to renovate the space and add air conditioning would provide a better experience for students and the community throughout the
year.
○ Renovations at the historic MHS auditorium would include ADA-accessible upgrades, new lighting, and a modern climate control system to create a better experience for students and the community
○ The MHS media center would be transformed into a modern, digital-focused space that aligns with the way students work and study
○ Science lab renovations to create spaces that support STEM learning are proposed at Alexander Hamilton, FMS, and MHS

4) Pool Replacement

○ The Morristown High School pool provides endless opportunities for our students to achieve, stay active, and work as a team. The pool has become part of the district’s identity and serves swim teams throughout Morris County, which would have no home base if the pool closes.
○ The pool is at the end of its life and will close if it is not replaced. If voters approve the referendum, the district receives state aid toward the cost of the replacement, and the pool will continue to serve as a school and community resource, as well as a source of community revenue.

Click here to learn more about the infrastructure upgrades and see a school-by-school breakdown of improvements. Or, view the video below:

How Will It Affect Me?

If the bond referendum is approved, the average Morristown homeowner could expect to see a tax increase of roughly $38. Morris Township residents would see a slightly higher increase of roughly $41 per month.

“If approved, this bond referendum would help us improve our schools to give our current and future students a place they can thrive academically and socially,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anne Mucci.

The district added that the voter-approved referendum would be more cost-effective compared to having to pay for emergency repairs.

How Do I Vote?

In-person voting will take place on Sept. 15 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will have to have been registered to vote by Aug. 25 to participate in the bond referendum election. Click here to check your registration.

See polling places below:

Morristown

• Ward 1; District 1, 2, 3, 4: Municipal Building (200 South Street, Morristown)
• Ward 2; District 1, 3: Speedwell Avenue Fire House (161 Speedwell Ave, Morristown)
• Ward 2; District 2: Lafayette School (31 Hazel St, Morristown)
• Ward 3; District 1, 2: Alexander Hamilton School (24 Mills St, Morristown)
• Ward 3; District 3: Petrone Towers (39 Early St, Morristown)
• Ward 4; District 1, 2: Senior Citizen Housing (29 Ann St, Morristown)
• Ward 4; District 3, 4: Thomas Jefferson School (101 James St & Ogden Pl, Morristown)

Morris Township

• District 7: Convent Railroad Station (1 Convent Rd, Convent Station)
• District 1, 2, 20, 23: Fairchild Fire House (2 Burnham Rd, Morris Plains)
• District 13, 14: Hillside Fire House (132 Western Ave, Morristown)
• District 3: Mennen Sports Arena (161 E Hanover Ave, Morristown)
• District 4, 5, 6: Morris Museum (6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown)
• District 17, 18: Morris View III Nursing Home (540 W Hanover Ave, Morristown)
• District 11, 12, 21: Mount Kemble Fire House (216 Mount Kemble Ave & Springbrook Rd, Morristown)
• District 8, 9, 10: Municipal Building (50 Woodland Ave, Morristown)
• District 16: Seeing Eye Building (1 Seeing Eye Way, Morristown)
• District 19, 22: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Rd, Morristown)
• District 15: Villa Walsh Academy (455 Western Ave, Morristown)

Vote By Mail

Residents are also able to vote on the bond referendum by mail.

Those looking to do so must submit an application no later than Sept. 8. Once you've received your mail-in ballot, you can either mail it to 10 Court Street in Morristown or deliver it in person.

Click here for more info about voting by mail in Morris County.