Pitman voters are considering $21.3 million referendum to improve aging schools

Voters in Pitman are deciding a $21.3 million school bond referendum that would raise property taxes to fund repairs that officials say are desperately needed for its three aging buildings.

Superintendent Robert Preston was cautiously optimistic as voters in the Gloucester County community were heading to the polls Tuesday to consider the first bond referendum there since 2009 to fund new boilers, bathrooms and upgrades. If approved, the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $238,209 would see an annual property tax increase of $264.

“I’m definitely eager and excited,” Preston said. “It’s the culmination of a lot of work from a lot of people.”

Pitman is the only South Jersey district with referendum questions in Tuesday’s special election, one of five times during the year that school boards may ask voters to approve a bond issue or special question.

Statewide, Pitman and two other districts are seeking approval for bonds for $129 million. The state would contribute $27.3 million if local voters approve the spending measures.

Like the other districts in North Jersey, Pitman has two proposed questions on the ballot. Preston said the district selected projects addressing critical needs in order to qualify for the maximum in state aid — $7.2 million.

The proposed projects in the first question would fund much-needed improvements, such as replacing 80-year-old steam boilers at Pitman Elementary with high-efficiency hydronic boilers. Seven bathrooms would also be renovated in the century-old building.

Under that proposal, the track at Pitman High, which is sinking, would be reconstructed. Half of the school’s 20-year-old roof, which is no longer under warranty, would also be replaced. Repairs would be made to fix drainage issues between the track and parking lot.

The second question asks to fund the installation of air-conditioning at the elementary school. The district would also install a security vestibule at the high school to better screen visitors. The district said it plans to use budget funds to put a security vestibule at the elementary school by 2026; that is not part of the referendum.

The projects proposed in the second question would go forward only if voters approve the first ballot question. The district said it would take years to finance the projects through its annual operating budget and without state aid. The district enrolls 1,200 students in pre-K through 12.

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Pitman, which relies heavily upon property taxes for its funding, was among 100 districts that were notified in 2024 that they would receive less state aid. The Legislature restored some funding for the current school year.

“We’ve lost millions,” said Preston said.

Preston said the district would be forced to go “back to the drawing board” if voters fail to approve the referendum. The board has tried to make its case with presentations and town hall meetings to inform residents about what is at stake.

Voting was scheduled to continue until 8 p.m.

“The vote is really the collective vote of the community,” Preston said. “God forbid it gets kicked down.”

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Elsewhere in the state, Princeton has two proposals totaling more than $75 million to pay for projects at its high school and middle school for HVAC improvements and renovations. If approved, the state would contribute about $13.8 million.

In Morris County, the Mendham Borough school district is asking voters to approve two questions for work at its high school and middle school, including adding a new auditorium. The bonds total $18 million, with the state contributing $3.9 million.