How much will you pay if voters approve the Morris School District’s $158 million bond referendum in September?

An online calculator has the answer.

Read more about the referendum in the recent article published by Morristown Green. 

 

The Morris School District Board of Education convened for its monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, held at the Morristown High School Learning Commons. While the agenda covered various district operations, the heart of the evening was dedicated to the celebration and recognition of this year’s staff retirements. 

Celebrating a Legacy of Service

The annual retirement ceremony, a cornerstone of the May board meeting, serves as a formal "thank you" to the teachers, administrators, and support staff who have dedicated years of service to the students of the Morris School District. 

Board President Dr. Vivian Rodriguez presented gifts of appreciation to each retiree, while district administrators shared brief remarks highlighting the specific achievements and lasting contributions each individual made to the Morris School District.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all departing staff. Among this year’s retirees are three individuals whose combined decades of service have left a profound impact on our community: 

Osvaldo “Ozzie” Pardilla - Director of IT Infrastructure 

As the backbone of our district’s technology growth for over 25 years, Ozzie has been instrumental in keeping our schools connected. We are deeply grateful for his expertise in navigating the district through the ever-evolving digital age.

 

Gregory DiGioacchino - Physical Education, Morristown High School 

Retiring after an extraordinary 50 years of service, Mr. DiGioacchino represents a rare milestone in education. A half-century of service is an exceptional and remarkable achievement. Mr. DiGioacchino has influenced generations of Morristown students and we wish him the best of luck in retirement. 

 

Chester “Smitty” Horton - Athletic Director, Morristown High School

A true pillar of our sports programs, Mr. Horton’s tenure was defined by dedication to the Morristown High School athletic program. He ensured our student-athletes succeeded both on and off the field, and we thank him for his tireless energy and leadership over the last 33 years.

The full list of retirees for the 2025-2026 school year can be found HERE.

More Information: 

View the Board of Education meeting recordings on MSD On Air within a few days after the meeting. Visit the Board of Education section of the website to learn more information about the BOE. 

The Morris School District Board of Education held a productive meeting on Monday, March 16th, in the Morristown High School Learning Commons, featuring two important presentations. 

To review the strategic priorities, Dr. Mucci, Mr. Kriley, and Mr. Manning provided an update on the district goals. “Progress presentations on district goals are presented twice a year, and tonight we will be sharing an update on what we have accomplished since we last presented in December," explained Dr. Mucci. 

Goal 1: Academic Programming, Teaching, and Learning

Advanced Placement & Honors Track Courses: 

Morristown High School earned a spot on the 2024-2025 AP School Honor Roll for its excellence in the Advanced Placement program, a testament to the launch of 14 new AP-credentialed courses across eight content areas. To continue with this momentum and success, MHS will introduce a new AP Business and Personal Finance course for the 2026-2027 school year.

Beyond AP, the district is increasing academic rigor with the addition of an honors track for World Language levels 3 and 4 at MHS and a Pre-Algebra Honors course at FMS. 

Elementary Progress: 

Mr. Kriley highlighted kindergarten literacy gains reflected in the mid-year DIBELS assessment. He explained that these assessments provide one-on-one, in-depth data that allows teachers to tailor instruction to each student’s specific needs as well as identify individual academic gains. In math, the number of K-4 students performing at or above grade level has more than doubled this year.

The Writing Revolution and AI: 

In response to teacher feedback, the district provided The Writing Revolution to all K–8 ELA staff. The program was so well-received that select teachers requested coursework to further integrate strategies into their teaching. This evidence-based instructional approach to teaching writing trains teachers to embed writing instruction directly into the content they are teaching rather than as a separate subject. 

Teachers are also participating in sessions on leveraging AI tools to enhance classroom instruction. “We want to stay ahead of the AI curve, and teachers are receiving training and support on how to use AI in their instruction," explained Mr. Kriley. Notebook LM and Gemini are district-approved platforms for all staff as well as middle and high school students. 

Goal 2: Learning Beyond the Classroom

The Artisan Academy at MHS:

Extensive planning and partnership development for the new Artisan Academy have been finalized, and with initial funding secured from the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF), the academy is on track to officially launch next year. The Artisan Academy will empower student creators to become entrepreneurs. By blending lessons in branding and marketing with practical internships, the program will provide the tools and mentorship needed to launch a successful small business. 

Enrichment Programs: 

MEF grants have significantly enhanced enrichment programs, providing new percussion instruments, theater microphones, and a unique "Colonial Immersion Day" at Normandy Park to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. Additionally, every elementary school has received a $1,500 grant from the MEF to support the annual district-wide science days. 

Life Design Lab: MHS Exhibition Night:  

At the MHS Exhibition Night held on March 4, 2026, more than 100 students presented to the public, showcasing over a year's worth of work. Through the Life Design Lab, students are empowered to share their own futures, learning to navigate real-world challenges and take ownership of their growth through the principles of design thinking. 

Leading with Empathy: MSD Gives Back 

MSD students and staff continue to lead with empathy, recently organizing a successful snack drive for Nourish New Jersey and a personal hygiene drive at the Lafayette Learning Center for the Interfaith Food Pantry. The Helping Hands Hub is a dedicated page on our district website for providing resources. 

Goal 3: Building Optimal Environments for Learning

The Morris School District is moving forward with strategic plans to modernize our facilities, centered on a fall 2026 referendum aimed at addressing key infrastructure priorities. This proposal includes an eight-classroom addition at FMS to replace the use of trailers, as well as a three-classroom addition at Sussex Avenue School to alleviate ongoing overcrowding. The referendum also includes a full replacement of the MHS pool, which has reached the end of its functional life. To view full details regarding proposed projects for the referendum, visit the Referendum Website Page. 

While the district is planning for a referendum, significant corrective repairs are still being completed, including replacing 40 linear feet of underslab steam piping at Alfred Vail and repairing leaking boiler tubes at Alexander Hamilton. 

Implementation of the Smart Pass System: 

“We don’t do it often, but occasionally we are able to outsmart the students, and that has been achieved with the implementation of the Smart Pass system at both MHS and FMS," Dr. Mucci shared. This platform replaces traditional paper passes to improve safety, increase instructional time, and provide administrators with real-time data on student movement throughout the building. In just a short amount of time, both schools have reported that Smart Pass has significantly helped reduce unauthorized student movement. FMS has also completed a comprehensive overhaul of its arrival and dismissal procedures to further enhance student safety and efficiency. 

Goal 4: Communications to Foster Community and Partnerships

The district is prioritizing transparent communication and community engagement through several new initiatives designed to keep stakeholders informed and supported. A Referendum Communications Committee, comprised of residents and key stakeholders, has been established to facilitate direct feedback and ensure clarity regarding future infrastructure plans, a process solidified by the March 9, 2026, hybrid "State of Our Facilities" Presentation. 

The New Morris School District Website: 

To further centralize these efforts, the district launched a new, user-friendly website in early 2026, which features consistent branding to improve how we connect with the public. The website is also ADA compliant and includes AudioEye, an embedded tool that allows users to customize the screen to meet their individual needs. Curriculum documents and other PDFs are in the process of being converted to OCR PDFs to further improve ADA compliance. 

Mr. Kriley explained that the district has also expanded communications strategies to integrate the use of QR codes and a broader social media presence. Every school now has an Instagram account to share school happenings. “In the beginning of the school year, the district’s Instagram account had 17 followers and now has almost 600. Likewise, Facebook had 800 followers and now has over 1,000. " Reported Mr. Kriley.  

Goal 5: Career Readiness Skills 

The MHS College Promise, in collaboration with the County College of Morris (CCM), will be expanded. Three active cohorts are currently established, and preparation to celebrate the graduation of the first group of students this year is underway. A successful mini-college fair and field experiences with Sanofi have also introduced students to different career and college pathways. MHS also expanded its partnerships with CCM and the Workforce Development Board to offer more trade apprenticeships. A new program with H2M Architects gives students hands-on experience with real design and construction projects.

The Community School has launched a new lifeguard training and recertification program to create immediate employment opportunities for students. A new STEM Lab at FMS has been approved to provide a stronger foundation for students entering the MHS STEM Academy at MHS. 

Business Administrator Anthony LoFranco revealed the preliminary budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The county superintendent will now review the proposal, and the final budget hearing is scheduled for the Board of Education meeting on April 27th. 

Budget Presentation Highlights: 

In response to a decrease of 225 students in grades 6–12, the district is implementing strategic budget adjustments to remain within the state-mandated tax levy cap. Staff reductions are projected to generate $2.1 million in savings. These reductions will not impact current class sizes or elective course offerings. Additionally, the district has identified $2.2 million in further savings through a reduction in school and department allocations, decreased health benefit costs, and refined PERS pension contribution estimates. These necessary measures ensure the district maintains fiscal stability while continuing to provide a high-quality education for all students.

 

Despite significant cost-reduction efforts, fixed expenses and essential student investments continue to drive the district budget. Contractual salaries and benefits, including increases in health insurance premiums, occupy a substantial majority of the budget. To ensure facilities and technology remain modern, the budget also prioritizes critical capital projects, such as a multi-year refresh of student Chromebooks and copiers, a modernized bus fleet, and necessary groundskeeping equipment. Finally, the district maintains its commitment to student success through ongoing investments in updated curriculum materials and the replacement of K-12 musical instruments.

The Budget Proposal: 

To balance the budget and continue providing a high-quality education while managing rising costs, the district is proposing a 3.5% increase in the local tax levy. This is part of a balanced financial plan that relies on support from state aid, tuition revenue from other districts, and interest income. To continue to maintain fiscal stability, a portion of long-term maintenance savings and emergency surplus funds will be strategically utilized.

More Information: 

View the full meeting agenda to read about all the topics discussed at the March meeting. You can view the Board of Education meeting recordings on MSD On Air within a few days after the meeting. View the full presentation for the district goals and preliminary budget for additional details. 

 

State of Our Facilities Recording

State of Our Facilities Presentation

Morris School District administrators hosted a "State of Our Facilities" presentation on March 9 to share information on the most pressing needs across the district’s 10 schools. The district is planning a bond referendum in the fall of 2026.  

“Morris School District was built on the mission of creating greater opportunities for all students,” said Superintendent Dr. Anne Mucci. “This referendum would enhance learning environments in all schools throughout the district.”  

District leaders explained that buildings have been well-maintained and improved through the annual budget and funding sources outside of the local tax base. Over the last decade, Morris School District has invested $55 million through annual budgets, capital reserves and state grants to improve infrastructure and expand and renovate buildings. However, the district is now planning its first bond referendum in nearly 30 years to address large-scale needs and benefit from state aid that comes with voter approval. The district has submitted its proposed projects for required review by the New Jersey State Department of Education. That process, which will determine state aid eligibility and the estimated tax impact, is anticipated to conclude this summer.  

The proposed projects include:  

• Infrastructure improvements 

• 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 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 

• 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. 

• 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  

• 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.  

The district will continue to share more information and provide opportunities for community engagement. Please visit www.morrisschooldistrict.org/referendum for more information.