Superintendent's Update

Dear Hopewell Valley Regional School District Community,

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all of you who took the time to attend our information sessions, visit our website, and learn about the proposed Bond Referendum. Your engagement is vital to the future of our schools and our students. The conversations that we've had and the questions that you've asked demonstrate a deep commitment to providing the best possible educational environment in Hopewell Valley Regional School district. We appreciate you examining the details and weighing the impact this decision will have on our community.

Remember to Exercise Your Right To Vote!

Today, is Election Day. I urge every eligible member of our community to get out and vote, if you have not already done so. Regardless of where you stand on the Bond Referendum—or any other issue or candidate—your voice matters. Participating in the electoral process is one of the most fundamental and important ways we shape our shared future.

Please also take a moment to remind your friends, neighbors, and any eligible children to cast their ballots. An active, informed electorate strengthens our entire community.

Thank you again for your unwavering support of our schools and for being responsible citizens.

Sincerely,

Rosetta D. Treece, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

PENNINGTON BOROUGH, N.J. – Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) reminds residents of Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, and Pennington Borough to vote in the Nov. 4 bond referendum.

Residents are being asked to consider two questions that prioritize replacing old infrastructure and expanding instructional space to manage class sizes, move students out of modular classrooms, and accommodate enrollment growth from new housing. Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is also approved. If both questions pass, HVRSD will get $20.2 million in state funding toward $84.2 million in project costs.

“This is a school referendum, but it is also very much a community referendum,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rosetta Treece. “We worked closely with the community after the 2024 proposal failed to focus on the most practical needs. Together, Question 1 and Question 2 would continue the quality educational experiences that our district is known for. The draw of a top-notch district benefits everyone, not just school parents. All of the projects proposed will help provide that for our school community.”

Question 1 projects include:

Replacing roofing that is beyond its useful life; replacing obsolete HVAC equipment, some of which is already beyond repair; adding air conditioning to Timberlane Middle School gym; installing new classroom doors with enhanced fire resistance and security features; replacing deteriorated exterior doors; renovating the Bear Tavern cafeteria; modifying the Toll Gate driveway for improved access; repaving the Central High School solar lot; refurbishing entrance walkways at Timberlane and Bear Tavern; and improving drainage at Stony Brook

• Cost: $58.4 million

• State aid: $19.9 million

• Estimated annual tax impact: $248 for Hopewell Borough; $284 for Hopewell Township; $294 for Pennington Borough
  

Question 2 projects include:

Building a Bear Tavern addition with room for eight to 10 classrooms; building a Toll Gate addition for six classrooms; and other Toll Gate projects such as creating a larger nurse’s office with an ADA-accessible bathroom; converting the existing nurse’s suite to a small-group instruction room; restoring a dedicated faculty bathroom; and adding physical education storage space to better serve students and free up the school stage

• Cost: $25.8 million

• State aid: $333,321

• Estimated annual tax impact: $164 for Hopewell Borough; $188 for Hopewell Township; $194 for Pennington Borough
  

Tax impact is based on the average assessed value of $408,445 in Hopewell Borough, $477,718 in Hopewell Township, and $488,135 in Pennington Borough.

Tax impact estimates are based on each town’s average assessed property value, which is the amount that appears on municipal tax bills, rather than the market value, which is the potential price of a home.

“We are proactive in maintaining our buildings and seeking funding sources beyond the local tax base for capital projects,” said Assistant Superintendent Robert Colavita. “But age eventually takes its toll on building systems and equipment. An approved bond referendum would fund critical improvements with the help of state tax dollars we could not otherwise access.”

District and Board of Education leaders say the Question 2 projects to add classroom space have become even more urgent since the start of the school year, with enrollment at both Bear Tavern and Stony Brook up 25 percent over last year. The district has used targeted redistricting to manage growth.

“Our schools are already pressed for space, and more students are on the way,” said Anita Williams Galiano, president of the Hopewell Valley Board of Education. “The expansions at Bear Tavern and Toll Gate would benefit all elementary schools by keeping class sizes manageable and preventing widespread redistricting. We want to continue providing the very best for our students.”

Voters registered in Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, or Pennington Borough can vote in person or by mail.

• Early voting locations will remain open until Nov. 2. (Pennington Fire Company, 120 Broemel Place, is the local site.)

• A voter can request a mail-in ballot in person as late as 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, at the County Clerk's Office (209 S. Broad St. in Trenton).

• Vote By Mail ballots must be submitted in drop boxes or by mail by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

• Regular polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the General Election – Tuesday, Nov. 4.

• If you go to the polls and are told you cannot vote, request a provisional ballot.

Visit hvrsd.org/vote for short informative videos, project breakdown by school, and much more.

NJDOE Commissioner Kevin Dehmer posted the following broadcast message today regarding the SNAP freeze and links to food assistance information and other resources that may be helpful.

Because of the ongoing federal government shutdown, there is uncertainty about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and other supports. Since many schools will be closed for some or all of next week, free school meals may not be accessible. Here are some resources that can help.

Food Assistance Information and Links:

• New Jersey Basic Needs Information Hub: Get Food This Week

Food pantries and soup kitchens are available for anyone who needs quick access to food—including students and their families. This resource includes general information about food pantries, a county-by-county list, and four easy steps for visiting one.

• NJ211 Hotline Provides Local Resources to Help Residents with Food, Housing, Crisis, and Health
• NJ211 Food Pantry Search
• New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Additional Resources:

• Office of the Food Security Advocate: SNAP Benefits and Food Assistance
• Community Food Bank of New Jersey

As we encourage our young people to walk, bike or roll to school, it is important that we are teaching them how to stay safe. Join Mike Gray from Sourland Cycles and Officer James Klesney as they present on the safety measures regarding E-bikes and scooters on Monday, Nov 10th, Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, 6:30-8:00 pm, Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

There will be e-bikes there to view and try. This presentation is open to parents, teens and tweens. Pizza will be provided. Please, register here to attend!

We invite you to an essential community webinar detailing the updated Demographer’s Report.

Building on the findings shared last year, this presentation will provide the most current data and enrollment projections for our school district. We’ll specifically analyze how recent and proposed residential development in our community is expected to impact future student growth over the next decade.

Please join us to review the updated report and learn about the growth drivers. The session will be recorded for those who can not attend. See registration information below:

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!

When: Nov 11, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: HVRSD Demographer's Report 2025

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:

https://hvrsd-org.zoom.us/j/91642379132

Early Dismissal--Monday, 11/3/25 through Wednesday, 11/5/25

Parent Teacher Conference--Monday, 11/3/25 through Wednesday, 11/5/25

NJEA Convention (Schools Closed)--Thursday, 11/06/25

Veteran's Day (Schools and Offices Closed)--Friday, 11/07/2025

Regular Board Meeting--Monday 11/17/25--Regular Board Meeting @ 6:30 PM at HV Central High School

Early Dismissal--Wednesday, 11/26/25

Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)--Thursday, 11/27/25 and Friday, 11/28/25

Email: rosettatreece@hvrsd.org
Website: https://hvrsd.org/
Location: 425 South Main Street, Pennington, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-737-4002 ( 2301)
Facebook: facebook.com/HVRSD