Frequently Asked Questions

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Bond Referendum Background

How is a bond referendum different from the annual budget?

The annual budget must be used for regular operating expenses such as salaries, healthcare utilities and academic programs. There’s not much room left in the budget for building projects, particularly given the rapidly rising costs for healthcare and other essentials. The budget is largely funded by local tax dollars.

When voters approve a bond referendum, a school district borrows funds upfront to cover building needs and repays the amount over time, similar to a home equity loan. The state provides debt service aid toward the payments, which reduces taxpayers’ share of the costs.

How were the proposed projects selected?

Community members participated in Morris School District’s strategic planning process that resulted in identifying several key goals. Improving our buildings to enhance learning environments emerged as one of the priorities.

The district worked with professional advisors to thoroughly assess the buildings and consider changes that would meet the needs of students and the community.

Community members contributed additional input on potential projects through a survey and focus groups held in fall 2025. The project list will be finalized following the state’s review of the proposed improvements.

Why are improvements needed now?

The district has addressed capital improvements over time through responsible fiscal management. However, our aging buildings and infrastructure need more extensive attention after decades of normal wear.

For example, roofing is beyond its expected lifespan and some HVAC systems still run on steam, which is less efficient than hot-water heat. Those steam pipes are leaking and can only be removed by jackhammering the floor.

It has been nearly 30 years since the district held a bond referendum to make major building improvements. The current proposal is a comprehensive approach to address building needs while expanding opportunities for learning and activities.

What happens if the referendum is not approved?

If the bond referendum fails, the district will lack the funding to address all the time-sensitive building issues and enhance learning environments. The district would also not be able to provide air conditioning to all spaces in the entire district.

It would be a challenge to fit any projects into the annual budget that funds regular operating costs, including healthcare, salaries and academic programs.

If any improvements are included in the annual budget, they will not be eligible for the state aid that comes with an approved bond referendum. Also, the risk for costly breakdowns will increase as old roofing and HVAC systems continue to age.

Voting Information

Who can vote in the bond referendum?

The State of New Jersey requires all registered voters to be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old. Students can register at age 17 and vote if they are 18 by the referendum date—September 15, 2026. To participate in the Morris School District referendum, voters must be residents of Morristown or Morris Township. The state’s Voter Information Portal contains more information about eligibility. Check your voter registration status by searching the state’s online database.

Will I be able to vote by mail in this election?

If you have already applied to vote by mail in other elections, you will receive a ballot in the mail a few weeks before the election.

If you want to vote by mail but haven’t yet signed up, complete and submit a Vote-By-Mail ballot application in English or Spanish. The mailed application must arrive at the Morris County Clerk’s Office a week ahead of the election date to receive your ballot in the mail.

Voters may apply for a ballot in person at the County Clerk's Office anytime up to 3 p.m. the day before the election.

What if I go to a polling place and I’m told I can’t vote?

If you show up to your assigned polling place and are told you can’t vote because your ballot was mailed to you or for any other reason, ask for a provisional ballot. This type of ballot preserves your vote and the integrity of the election. If your eligibility is later verified and election officials confirm that you did not vote by mail, your provisional ballot will be counted.

Funding Facts

How has MSD strategically funded other capital projects?

Many districts across New Jersey go out for a bond referendum at least every 20 years. MSD has not held a bond referendum in nearly 30 years and is doing so now because we believe it is the best financial strategy to meet the large-scale capital needs throughout the district.

The board and district leaders have maximized our existing resources to improve our schools. Since 2014, the district has invested more than $55 million in buildings and grounds upgrades across the district, funded through the regular operating budget, periodic grant programs, and capital reserve funding.

Through capital reserve funds alone, the district completed infrastructure improvements, classroom renovations, and instructional expansions at MHS and other schools through capital reserve funds.

Now our aging facilities require more attention than the district is able to fund on its own, and a voter-approved referendum would address these needs within the next few years, with upfront funding and the help of state aid.

How long would it take to fund these projects without a referendum?

Based on our average capital spending rate over the last 12 years, it could take MSD at least 35 years to complete the building needs proposed in the 2026 referendum. Completing projects over such a long period of time is neither feasible nor efficient. Costs will only go up if projects are delayed, and the district will not receive the state aid that comes with a voter-approved referendum for individual improvements made through the annual budget.

Why would the proposed projects result in long-term savings for the district and the communities it serves?

Aging infrastructure makes up a significant portion of the project list. By replacing roofs, windows, electrical systems, and HVAC systems, the district will be able to avoid costly repairs and potential out-of-service conditions that could disrupt student learning. When aging equipment requires emergency repairs or replacement, the funds come from the regular operating budget and may negatively impact the funds available for student programming.

With a voter-approved bond referendum, it is anticipated that state aid may pay around a third of the infrastructure replacement costs. As the infrastructure projects are implemented, MSD can expect to receive lower utility bills over time - a long-term return on investment.

What if costs end up lower than estimates?

What if costs end up higher than estimates?

The Department of Education requires that cost estimates are in line with current market conditions, but also requires a built-in cushion to account for fluctuations that can happen with projects planned in one year and completed over the next two or three.

The district is not permitted to spend any more on the projects than the amount that was approved by voters. If costs start running high in one area, the district will seek a more efficient means of achieving the project objective. Our architects have extensive experience in the school construction process and how to accurately and responsibly plan for project costs.

How could a bond referendum give MSD access to more state tax dollars?

The NJ Department of Education partially reimburses school districts that fund building improvements through voter-approved bond borrowing.

Taxpayers across the state pay into the revenue that funds school construction, but only communities that pass referenda bring some of the money home to their districts.

MSD historically receives minimal state funding toward its annual budget; state aid represented only 7.65% of the nearly $135 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. However, the NJ DOE pays up to 34% of eligible costs for projects funded through a referendum.

School Bond Question Proposal

What is a referendum?

What is the process for authorizing bonds to fund a capital project?

A school district must have a long range facilities plan identifying the district’s facilities and capital work expected to be needed over 5 years. The plan must be updated at least every 5 years, and any capital projects the Board undertakes must be consistent with the long range facilities plan, which can be amended as needed. Before undertaking any capital project, the district must apply for review and various approvals from the Department of Education. The Department of Education will approve a project that is consistent with its long range facilities plan and planned in accordance with State guidelines and requirements. If the district intends to issue bonds to fund the project, the Department of Education will determine what costs are eligible for school facilities aid and issue a Preliminary Eligible Cost (PEC) letter and then a Final Eligible Cost (FEC) letter. Determinations in the approval letters serve as the basis for allocating state facilities aid for a capital project. For this district to authorize school bonds it must present a bond proposal to voters for approval or rejection. If the bond proposal is approved by the voters by a simple majority of voters voting, the bonds can be issued to fund the projects that have been approved.

Why is the district holding a referendum now?

The district cannot raise funds in the regular annual operating budget to fund large capital projects. By issuing bonds and borrowing money payable over time, the project can be undertaken now and paid over time in a way similar to how homeowners finance large improvements to their homes. The cost of the projects then can be paid for by the citizens who live in the district over the life of the bond issue. Bonds must mature within the expected average life of the projects funded within statutory guidelines. The school district expects to receive school facilities aid for the project in the form of annual payments that will reduce the amount the school district would have to raise to pay principal and interest on the bonds due annually. This aid is called debt service aid.

How is school facilities aid determined and provided?

School facilities aid is based on eligible project costs, a district’s district aid percentage and a statutory formula. As part of the process for authorizing and issuing bonds, the district has filed 4898-6606-7628, v. 1 applications with the Department of Education. The Department of Education as required by law has issued approval letters that determine compliance with the requirements for school construction, consistency with the school district’s long range facilities plan and the amount of the costs that are eligible for school facilities aid. Based on those approval letters the district is eligible for State school facilities aid to help pay part of the principal and interest that would be due on the bonds each year if the bond issue is approved by the voters and the bonds are issued.

Eligible costs are determined by the Department of Education in the approval letters in accordance with a statutory formula. All renovation costs needed for health and safety, code requirements or educational adequacy are eligible costs. Costs for new construction, which includes new schools and additions, are eligible for school facilities aid if needed to provide space for unhoused students. The statute determines a certain amount of space needed for each student based on the grade level of instruction. If the amount of space required exceeds the amount of space available in the school, the space is eligible for school facilities aid. However, the eligible cost for eligible space is calculated at $143 a square foot under the statutory formula. The statute was adopted a long time ago, and costs of new construction are much higher than $143 a square foot. Thus, even if all spaces are eligible spaces, and there are no excess costs determined by the Department of Education for the new construction project, all costs for eligible space will not be eligible costs for which state school facilities aid is available.

The district aid percentage is defined in the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing
Act as the ratio of the district’s equalization aid for the General Fund (aid for operating costs) to
the district’s Adequacy Budget. The Adequacy Budget is determined by the Department of
Education as the amount necessary to meet State Learning Standards in accordance with state
formulas. Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, the district aid
percentage for Morris School District as defined is zero percent, but the state share would be
the greater of the district aid percentage or 40%. This amount though is contingent on annual
state budget appropriations.

Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, districts were permitted to elect between (1) a set aside grant while issuing local debt for the local share and (2) debt service aid, which pays a portion of the debt service due annually. The amount of aid for a project would be about the same for grants or debt service aid. However, grants are no longer available because the State funded them with bonds issued by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and backed by the State of New Jersey, and that bonding amount has been spent or reserved for other projects. Currently, legislation has been introduced in the State legislature that, if enacted, would permit New Jersey voters to authorize more bonds to be issued by the Economic Development Authority backed by the State of New Jersey to fund grants. Many districts find debt service aid better anyway because the district does not have to borrow money in anticipation of those grants to keep the project going and apply for each payment with huge amounts of paperwork. 4898-6606-7628, v. 1

Additionally, the State has been cutting the amount of aid calculated under the original act by 15 % in the annual State budget enacted by the legislature for the past 15 years. If grants had been received, the State subtracts an amount from the district’s general fund aid equal to 15% of the amount it determines comes due each year on the portion of State bonds issued by the State to fund those grants. If debt service aid is received, the district receives the amount calculated under the original act reduced by 15%. Thus, facilities aid based on a district aid percentage of 40% would be estimated at 34% of the eligible project costs to acknowledge this reduction.

Based on this, the district expects to receive debt service aid annually if these bonds are issued in the amount of 29.33%. However, the full amount of aid expected is subject to appropriation by the State each year in the annual State budget.

What projects are proposed?

What will the bond proposal question look like?

BOND PROPOSAL QUESTION

The Board of Education of the Morris School District, in the County of Morris, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide for renovations, alterations and improvements at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, Alfred Vail Elementary School, Hillcrest Elementary School, Normandy Park Elementary School, Sussex Avenue Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School, Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown High School and Lafayette Learning Center, and the construction of additions at Sussex Avenue Elementary School, Frelinghuysen Middle School and Morristown High School, including acquisition and installation of equipment, fixtures and furnishings, site work and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $158,394,556 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district in the principal amount of $158,394,556.

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education are $136,629,115 (with $13,267,020 allocated to Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, $12,457,228 allocated to Alfred Vail Elementary School, $7,305,715 allocated to Hillcrest Elementary School, $5,091,050 allocated to Normandy Park Elementary School, $15,371,594 allocated to Sussex Avenue Elementary School, $12,437,540 allocated to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, $1,083,450 allocated to Woodland Elementary School, $24,099,015 allocated to Frelinghuysen Middle School, $34,076,320 allocated to Morristown High School and $11,440,183 allocated to Lafayette Learning Center). The projects include $450,450 allocated to Sussex Avenue Elementary School, $638,781 allocated to Frelinghuysen Middle School and $7,638,781 allocated to Morristown High School for elements in addition to the facilities 4898-6606-7628, v. 1 efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). Under state law the district aid percentage as defined is zero percent, but the state share will be 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects, contingent on annual state budget appropriations. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

Do you approve this bond proposal?

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT

If approved by the voters, the bond proposal will authorize the Board of Education to issue school bonds in an amount not to exceed $158,394,556 to fund school capital projects and to be able to receive school facilities aid to offset the school district’s costs. As required by law, the bond proposal discloses the district aid percentage and eligible project costs determined by the New Jersey Department of Education in project approval letters. District aid percentage is a term defined in law, and the reference to 40% in the proposal is not the State share of the project costs. The district aid percentage and eligible project costs are used by the State as part of a formula to distribute school facilities aid to help pay principal and interest due on the school bonds each year. The percentage of principal and interest the school district receives each year as school facilities aid from the State also depends on the amount the State legislature appropriates in the annual state budget to pay the school facilities aid due each year for all eligible New Jersey school districts. The funds raised by the issuance of the bonds will be used by the school district to implement the projects. The total cost of all the projects cannot exceed the amount authorized to be spent.

Why is it written this way?

The bond proposal question is written in the form required by State law.

The first paragraph of the bond proposal question provides the purpose of the bond issue in very general terms. It would be impossible to itemize all the project costs in a bond proposal question. Details about the improvements are available in the applications to the Department of Education for approval of the projects, the PEC letters issued by the Department of Education for the projects and public information the school district provides. The first paragraph of the bond proposal question also provides the amount the district may spend for the improvements and the amount of bonds authorized to be issued to fund the improvements.

The second paragraph of the bond question includes required language identifying the amount the Department of Education has determined in its approval letters as the total cost eligible for state facilities aid and the total amount of costs in addition to facilities efficiency standards or ineligible excess costs by each school. The excess costs are determined in accordance with the statute in the PEC letters as not permitted for State aid. Please note, the eligible costs and ineligible excess costs do not add up to the full project cost. Some costs not used to calculate 4898-6606-7628, v. 1 State aid do not count as excess costs under the law. Certain costs are eligible costs but only for limited amounts of funding. For example, new construction is only funded at $143 per square foot for each square foot that the statutory formula determines is needed for each unhoused student based on the grade level of instruction under the state facilities aid formula. This is true even though it is much more expensive to build now. Land acquisition is an eligible cost for a new school, not an excess cost, but the new school, including the land acquisition, is funded only as permitted for new construction. The Department of Education considers each school to constitute a separate project so costs for multiple approvals for each school are aggregated.

The bond proposal question must provide the district aid percentage determined in the Department of Education approval letters in the manner set forth in the bond proposal. As noted, the district aid percentage is used as part of the state’s funding formula, but it is not the percentage of costs that the State will cover.

The language about transferring the funds among projects is required by the Department of Education regulations to clarify that the district is permitted to spend more on one project and less on another than identified as eligible costs for each project if the bids for some work come in higher and other bids come in lower. This flexibility is necessary; otherwise, the district might not be able to do all the work required for some projects even if money is available because other projects were completed for less than expected. The amounts in the approval letters are based upon initial schematic plans for planning purposes, and final costs are determined by final construction plans developed after a successful referendum and actual bids that are received. More complete plans consistent with the intent of the referendum are completed once voter approval has been obtained with funds available from the approved bond issue. The district cannot transfer funds away from the work approved in the referendum. The district cannot spend more than the total amount approved by the voters and under state law.

What were the excess costs?

What if more money is needed?

The amount can only be increased through another voter approved proposal or the annual budget process, but no additional state aid would be available for any increased cost. The architects and construction managers have built in contingencies to cover potential cost increases, and the board would be required to make sure the projects come within the authorized amount by sizing back design details or plans.

What if the projects come in under budget?

Project Details

What key categories do proposed projects address?

We considered the infrastructure, instructional, and experiential needs across our schools when we formed the list of proposed projects with help from our professional advisors.

The categories include:

Improving and maintaining our buildings
- HVAC system upgrades, all spaces air-conditioned
- Roofing and window repairs
- Restroom renovations
- Fire alarm upgrades
- Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Interior finishes
Advancing academics
- Full MHS and FMS auditorium renovations
- Science lab modernizations
- Classroom additions (3 - Sussex Ave; 8 - FMS)
- Media center renovation (MHS)
Enhancing the student experience
- Replace swimming pool at MHS, end of life
- Cafeteria expansion (MHS)
- Auditorium improvements (MHS & FMS)

Will all spaces in the district be air conditioned, if the referendum is approved?

How would replacing the pool benefit the community beyond MSD?

The Morristown High School indoor pool has been a source of activity, enrichment and opportunity for students—and not just those who attend MHS. Swim teams throughout Morris County use the pool and would have no home base if the pool closes, as noted by North Jersey Aquatics owner and former Division I swimmer Leighann Day.

The pool is at the end of its lifespan and will close for safety reasons if it is not replaced. A closure would mean the community not only loses the pool as a unique aquatic resource for both local and county swimmers but will also have to pay the cost of decommissioning it. The district would also lose a source of revenue if closure becomes necessary.

Through a voter-approved referendum, MSD will receive state aid toward the cost of replacing the pool.

How would MHS cafeteria renovations support students’ needs?

Would renovations change the MHS auditorium’s historic architecture?

The proposed improvements would ensure the auditorium better serves students and visitors while preserving the venue’s historic aspects.

Renovations would bring the auditorium into compliance with modern ADA accessibility standards, improve ventilation and comfort, and replace the failing, obsolete lighting system.

The district currently spends ticket revenue on lighting rental. Not only would renovating the auditorium save on that expense; it would open opportunities to earn rental revenue.

Why would FMS auditorium improvements ensure the space is used year-round?

The FMS auditorium lacks air conditioning, making it unusable during some months of the school year.

The addition of A/C is only part of the plan to modernize the auditorium. The space also would receive new seats, floors, ceilings, wall finishes, curtains, stage, a sound system and house lighting. Renovations are a more sustainable option than repairs, which are costly and often require hard-to-find parts.

Best of all, students and the community could use the auditorium all year.

How would MHS media center renovations enhance educational experiences?

How would renovating science labs better prepare our students?

Science lab renovations are proposed at Alexander Hamilton Elementary, FMS and MHS. The upgrades would support collaborative STEM learning in flexible spaces. The science lab improvements at FMS would provide students with tools and hands-on experiences that are similar to the high school’s STEM Academy. Students would gain the confidence to explore MHS’s STEM Academy, which also would be updated to align with the latest instructional practices.

How would additional classrooms improve FMS students’ educational experiences?

FMS lacks adequate classroom space and must rely on trailers to accommodate all students.
Students go back and forth from the trailers in all types of weather, and the transition cuts into instructional time. This literally detours them from the school day and it’s harder to focus on key subjects like World Languages, which are held in the trailers.

Inside the school building, music class is held in a former teacher's lounge. The proposed addition would provide students with a much more effective educational experience, all under one roof.

How would an addition improve the educational experience at Sussex Avenue School?

High enrollment is leaving Sussex Avenue short on space. The school needed to put World Language class “on a cart” because the space was needed for a 5th-grade section, and other dedicated classrooms also could be lost without more space. A three-classroom addition will help the school keep pace with enrollment needs without sacrificing the educational experience.

The proposed improvements also would ensure that Sussex Avenue is safer and accessible for all students. An elevator would be installed to meet ADA standards. Plans also call for moving the visitor area to a secure vestibule and shifting classrooms away from exposed windows.

What projects are proposed at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Alfred Vail Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Hillcrest Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Lafayette Learning Center?

What projects are proposed at Normandy Park Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Sussex Avenue Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Woodland Elementary School?

What projects are proposed at Frelinghuysen Middle School?

What projects are proposed at Morristown High School?

If the referendum is approved, what will the construction timeline look like?

The referendum includes a wide range of projects such as roofing, HVAC, ceilings and lights, and building additions that will require extensive construction over several years.

We will work as much as possible over the summer months, but many of the construction projects will take over a year, so they will continue throughout the school year. Any work during the school year (other than additions), will be done after instructional hours to avoid disrupting students and staff. The district anticipates completing the entire scope of the referendum within 4 to 5 years.