Berkeley Heights Civic Watch

Berkeley Heights BOE

Referendum Tracker

This page compares the March 10, 2026 referendum promises against captured public records. It does not claim diversion unless the records prove it.

Updated 2026-06-19 26 evidence items
Project Cost$50,352,967.91
Bond Principal$50,352,000.00
State Aid$16,885,409.10
Local After Aid$33,467,558.81

Current Read

Promised Scope Not yet verifiable

The official scope is documented, but the captured public record does not yet show completion, deletion, or substitution of each promised project.

Financing In implementation

Captured BOE records include the April 16, 2026 authorization for $50,352,000 in School Bonds, Series 2026, for voter-approved capital improvements.

Vendors And Procurement Partial

The FAQ said no vendors were selected before passage and that projects would be bid or bought through approved purchasing vehicles. Captured records show Solutions Architecture references, but not a full referendum vendor ledger.

Spending Ledger Not yet auditable

No imported BOE bill-list batch is available in the tracker yet. Agenda attachments and check journals contain payment references, but they are not yet normalized into a referendum ledger.

Public Reporting Pending

The FAQ promised progress communication on the referendum webpage. The tracker has not yet found a public project dashboard with budget-to-actual, contracts, change orders, and completion status.

Diversion Test No finding yet

The captured record does not currently prove diversion. It also does not yet provide enough spending detail to prove all money is being used as promised.

How It Was Marketed

Core Pitch Documented

The referendum was marketed as a district-wide facilities renovation program under the theme 'Invested to Include, Inspire, and Empower,' with priorities around learning environments, safety, and aging building systems.

Planning Story Documented

The district said the scope came from a 2024 facilities evaluation, demographic work, two community surveys, staff input, DOE applications, and Board-approved project budgets.

Tax Message Documented

Question 1 was sold as zero tax increase on the average assessed home because prior debt service was rolling off. Question 2 was sold as an added $250.37 per year on the average assessed home.

State Aid Message Documented

The materials said the district had approved debt-service aid of $7,053,979.89 for Question 1 and $9,831,429.20 for Question 2, reducing the local cost after aid.

Procurement Promise Documented

The FAQ said no vendors were selected before passage and that post-vote work would be bid to the lowest responsible bidder or bought through approved cooperative or state-contract vehicles.

Public Reporting Promise Documented

The FAQ said success would be measured by project completion over a three to five year span and that progress would be communicated on the referendum webpage.

Oversight Findings

Promise Baseline Set

The tracker now has a voter-promise baseline: project totals, tax-impact claims, state-aid amounts, scope categories, schedule language, procurement language, and the public-reporting promise.

Confirmed Implementation Started

Captured BOE records include the April 16, 2026 authorization to issue and sell $50,352,000 in School Bonds, Series 2026, for voter-approved capital improvements.

Ledger Gap Open

The tracker does not yet have a clean BOE referendum payment ledger tying each invoice, purchase order, contract, or check to a ballot question, school, scope item, and funding source.

Vendor Gap Open

The public record captured so far has references to Solutions Architecture and contract review, but not a complete list of referendum vendors, bid tabs, contract amounts, change orders, or deliverables.

Diversion Question No finding yet

Nothing in the captured record currently proves diversion. The stronger conclusion is that the money is not yet publicly auditable at the level residents would need to verify every promise.

What Voters Were Sold

Question 1 1,797 yes to 751 no

Capital and educational projects presented as zero tax increase on the average assessed home.

  • Project cost: $21,226,999.69
  • Approved debt-service aid: $7,053,979.89
  • Local cost after aid: $14,173,019.80
  • Marketed tax impact: $0 per year on the average assessed home
Question 2 1,707 yes to 831 no

Additional capital and educational projects presented as an added tax impact if Question 1 passed.

  • Project cost: $29,125,968.22
  • Approved debt-service aid: $9,831,429.20
  • Local cost after aid: $19,294,539.03
  • Marketed tax impact: $250.37 per year on the average assessed home

Promised Scope

Question 1 Capital

Some related public references found

  • Site parking and drainage upgrades at all schools, including parking lots, drives, striping, walkways, and site stair repairs or replacement.
  • Partial Woodruff Elementary roof replacement, including drains, coping, and flashing.
  • Security-camera upgrades or expansion at all schools.
  • Clock, speaker, and PA upgrades or expansion at Governor Livingston, Columbia Middle School, and Hughes.
Question 1 Educational

No implementation record captured yet

  • Media-center renovations and upgrades at all schools.
  • Governor Livingston TV studio renovation.
Question 2 Capital

Some related public references found

  • Roofing-system replacement at Governor Livingston, Columbia Middle School, and Mountain Park.
  • Additional 200 kWh backup generator and surge protection at Governor Livingston.
  • Mechanical-system, unit-ventilator, building-management, piping, and related asbestos-abatement work at Columbia Middle School, Mountain Park, Woodruff, and Mary Kay McMillin.
Question 2 Educational

No implementation record captured yet

  • Science-lab renovations at Governor Livingston and Columbia Middle School.
  • Technology, robotics, and STEM lab work at Governor Livingston and Columbia Middle School.

Captured Implementation Evidence

Vendor/professional service 2026-06-19

Combined Attachments A-L

oo 141 lntergovernmental - State $3,461,r29.00 142 lntergovernmental - Federal (s196,479.20) 143 lntergovernmental - Other $831,768.00 153,154 Other (net of estimated uncollectable of $0.00 $4,096,417.80 Loans Receivable: 131 lnterfund $0.00 151, 152 Other (Net of estimated uncollectable of $ $0.00 $0.00 161 Bond Proceeds Receivable $0.00 171 I nventories fo...

Open source
Public-reporting reference 2026-06-11

BOE Meeting 6-11-26

on June 11 and spent much of the public session recognizing Governor Livingston student representatives and swim coach David Clauss, while also hearing end-of-year updates from district leadership. The transcript notes the district has adopted its 2026-27 budget and is beginning next steps after a successful referendum, but no dollar amounts or tax impacts w...

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2026-06-01

June 1, 2026 Agenda

nd Fees for Commission Programs and Services, as presented. (Attachment W) Agenda BOE MEETING June 1, 2026 Page 10 of 32 15.​ APPOINTMENT OF SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT Resolved that the Berkeley Heights Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the School Business Administrator, appoints Solutions Architecture, LLC, 96 Pompton Avenue, Ve...

Open source
Security/camera reference 2026-06-01

BOE Meeting 6-1-26

BOE Meeting 6-1-26 ## 1. Headline Berkeley Heights BOE Discusses Facilities, Technology Renewals and Referendum Contract Review ## 2.

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2026-05-28

May 28, 2026 Agenda

nd Fees for Commission Programs and Services, as presented. (Attachment W) Agenda BOE MEETING May 28, 2026 Page 10 of 32 15.​ APPOINTMENT OF SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT Resolved that the Berkeley Heights Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the School Business Administrator, appoints Solutions Architecture, LLC, 96 Pompton Avenue, Ve...

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2026-05-26

Combined Attachments A-AI 5.26.26

its your needs, to coordinate the financing process, to take an active, constructive role on your behalf in the execution of the transaction, and to provide post-issuance analysis and administration. As Municipal Advisor for an issuance of debt, we perform the following: 1.

Open source
Referendum reference 2026-05-06

BOE Meeting 5-06-26

attendance data during enrollment and attendance data during the budget development pro... - Central office continues to work Central office continues to work Central office continues to work collaboratively on planning and collaboratively on planning and collaboratively on planning and coordination for the referendum projects coordination for the...

Open source
Referendum reference 2026-04-30

BOE Meeting 4-30-26

I have a motion to enter an Can I have a motion to enter an executive session? - >> Okay, can I have a motion to return to >> Okay, can I have a motion to return to public session?

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2026-04-28

Combined Attachments 4.28.26

1 lntergovernmental - State $2,035,964.00 142 lntergovernmental - Federal ($352,802.04) 143 lntergovernmental - Other $436,670.07 't53,154 Other (net of estimated uncollectable of $_) $0.00 $2,119,832.03 Loans Receivable: 131 lnterfund $0.00 151, 152 Other (Net of estimated uncollectable of $ $0.00 $0.00 161 Bond Proceeds Receivable $0.00 171 lnventories for...

Open source
Bond authorization 2026-04-16

April 16, 2026 AGENDA

AL OF FEBRUARY 2026 TREASURER'S REPORT RESOLVED that the Berkeley Heights Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Business Administrator, accepts the financial report of the Treasurer of School Funds for the month ending February 28, 2026. (Attachment C) 4.​ FORM AND SALE OF SCHOOL BONDS The Board of Education of the Townshi...

Open source
Bond authorization 2026-04-14

Combined Attachments A-E 4.14.26

WASTE MANAGEMENT OF NEWJERSEY, INC 12358.76 213985 WB MASON CO.,INC. 48.5 213986 WE CARE AUTISM SERVICES s040 213987 XTEL COMMUNICATIONS 4797.83 213988 YABLA,INC 99.95 $ 1,692,590.69 $ 1,710,993.04 a: Attachment D RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE FORM AND OTHER DETAILS OF $50,352,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2026 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION...

Open source
Referendum reference 2026-03-26

BOE Meeting 3-26-26

ontinuously monitor our spending, continuously monitor our spending, continuously monitor... - And as Jenn has said multiple times, we And as Jenn has said multiple times, we are really grateful to the community for are really grateful to the community for are really grateful to the community for passing the referendum because that $50 passing the re...

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2026-03-24

Combined Attachments A-C 3.24.26

ES 112825 03t26t26 1,232.00 PO 602066 02110126 MKM;CLEANINc SUPPLIES 2,150.20 1't-000-261-610-000-01-000 REQ MATNT SUppLtES - MKM 1 1 6382 03t26126 2,'150.20 PO 602261 02127126 CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES CMS 1,472.62 11-000-262-610-660-09-000 CUSTOD|ALSUpp-COLUMBtAM.S. 1 1 6639 03t26t26 1,472.62 214077 03t26t26 2624 SOLUTIONS ARCHITECTURE 4,318.14 PO 502925 06t10t25...

Open source
Referendum reference 2026-03-12

BOE Meeting 3-12-2026

energetic game. - Um, I'd like to thank the board for all Um, I'd like to thank the board for all Um, I'd like to thank the board for all the support throughout um these last the support throughout um these last the support throughout um these last couple of months with rega...

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2026-02-26

Regular Meeting Minutes February 26, 2026

ance and Facilities Committee Report: Mrs. Joly, Finance and Facilities Chair, provided a repoft from the February 20,2026 meeting.

Open source
Debt-service-aid reference 2026-02-24

Combined Attachments B-H 2.24.26

141 lntergovernmental - State $2,511,645.00 142 lntergovernmental - Federal ($1e3,032.1e) 143 lntergovernmental - Other $536,952.55 153,154 Other (net of estimated uncollectable of $0.00 $2,855,565.36 Loans Receivable: 131 lnterfund $0.00 151, 152 Other (Net of estimated uncollectable of $_) $0.00 $0.00 161 Bond Proceeds Receivable $0.00 171 I nventories for...

Open source
Referendum reference 2026-01-22

Meeting Minutes 1.22.26

fication to ensure that notification is both prompt and accurate when any threat, real or procedure, is directed towards a student. 4.

Open source
Referendum reference 2026-01-22

BOE Meeting 1-22-26

BOE Meeting 1-22-26 # Meeting Summary: BOE Meeting 1-22-26 Berkeley Heights Board of Education held or posted a meeting on 2026-01-22. The transcript points to discussion around budget, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, referendum.

Open source
Debt-service-aid reference 2026-01-20

Combined Attachmenst A-I 1.20.26

1 lntergovernmental - State $2,833,309.00 142 I ntergovernmental - Federal ($2e2,eso.e6) 143 lntergovernmental - Other $63s,811.4s 153,154 Other (net of estimated uncollectable of $_) $0.00 $3,176,169.49 Loans Receivable: 131 lnterfund $0.00 151, 152 Other (Net of estimated uncollectable of $ $0.00 $0.00 16r Bond Proceeds Receivable $0.00 171 lnventories for...

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2025-12-11

Combined Attachments A-F 12.9.25

1 lntergovernmental - State $3,150,431.00 142 lntergovernmental - Federal ($194,312.37') 143 lntergovernmental - Other $714,500.35 153,154 Other (net of estimated uncollectable of $_) $0.00 $3,670,618.98 Loans Receivable: 131 lnterfund $0.00 151, ',t52 Other (Net of estimated uncollectable of $0.00 $0'00 161 Bond Proceeds Receivable $o.oo 171 I nventories lo...

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2025-11-20

November 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes

ning on the Hill. Pippa Raøijmakers gave the followìng report: Hello everyone.

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2025-11-20

November 20, 2025 Agenda

BOE MEETING November 20, 2025 Page 2 of 24 V.​ RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION MOTION to return to Public Session. Voice Vote Moved ____________ Seconded _______________ Vote _______________ Time _______ VI.​ REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT -Report of the Student Representatives: Pippa Raaijmakers and Howard Acheson -Referendum Presentation - Solutions Architecture/ T...

Open source
Referendum reference 2025-10-16

Regular Meeting Minutes_ October 16, 2025 (Signed Copy) (1)

t on the budget season, gathering information for the forecast we'll need next year, reviewing processes, staying on top of reporting deadlines, and making sure the district's operations continue to run efficiently, responsibl¡ and with the student's best interests in mind. Planning for the upcoming district referendum is moving forward.

Open source
Vendor/professional service 2025-09-18

Regular Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025

sent out as well. I took the advice of the student representatives and made sure to text students because they told me that the students read texts more than email so I was happy to get that advice.

Open source

Records Still Needed

The next step is to tie each contract, payment, and change order back to a ballot question, school, scope item, and budget line.

Official Sources

Official source

Referendum 2026 document folder

Official district folder for the presentation, quick references, tax impact, project scope, project finances, FAQs, and question-specific PDFs.

Official source

Quick References PDF

Marketing overview: goals, priorities, planning timeline, presentations, and state-aid explanation.

Official source

Project Finances PDF

Official cost, debt-service-aid, and local-cost tables by question and facility.

Official source

Tax Impact PDF

Official tax-impact presentation for Question 1 and Question 2.

Official source

Facts and FAQs PDF

Official answers on cost limits, vendor selection, schedule, progress reporting, and use restrictions.