The Harrison Township School District continues to make steady progress toward its November referendum, with key developments formally approved at the March board of education meeting.
The board approved the comprehensive Scope of Work for the referendum, representing a strategic investment in the safety, functionality and longevity of district facilities.
Approved upgrades include improved security cameras in both Harrison Township and Pleasant Valley schools, replacement of the latter’s roof, new HVAC systems at both schools, replacement of the boilers/chillers at Pleasant Valley and Harrison, improved fire alarms in both buildings, miscellaneous classroom upgrades in the district and replacement of public address systems in both buildings.
The district’s architect – Regan Young England Butera: Referendums, Engineering, Architecture, Design (RYEBREAD) – is finalizing the project application for submission to the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Facilities. It reflects the board-approved Scope of Work and is a critical step in advancing the referendum process.
The district will also apply for debt service aid from the Department of Education. While it must plan financially for the full cost of the projects, securing debt service aid could offset up to 35% of the total eligible project cost, significantly reducing the long-term tax impact on our community. We believe all of our proposed projects will be eligible.
District leadership has heard questions from community members regarding the anticipated future growth in Harrison Township and whether it would be more prudent to eventually expand our Pleasant Valley vertically – specifically by adding a second floor to accommodate increase enrollment – rather than investing in roof replacement now.
But based on thorough evaluation by the district’s architects and engineers, that idea isn’t feasible. The building’s foundation, constructed in 2001, was not designed to support an additional second level, and the existing roof structure was not engineered for the load required for walls and flooring associated with a second story.
Even if such a project were structurally possible, it would present significant logistical challenges. The scale of construction would render Pleasant Valley uninhabitable for about a year and would expose its interior to the elements, creating the risk of damage.
For those reasons, the district affirms that replacing the school’s roof is a necessary and responsible investment at this time.
As Harrison Township continues to grow, the district will continue to evaluate long-term capacity needs, including construction of a third elementary school if enrollment warrants it. Such a project would be separate from the current referendum, which is focused on addressing essential maintenance and improvements to existing facilities.
The district remains committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility and ensuring safe, modern learning environments for all students. Additional updates will be shared as the referendum process progresses.
For more information, please contact my office at (856) 478-2016, ext. 7123, or visit our information page on the district’s website, which is updated regularly with details of the referendum before the November vote.
As always, we thank the Harrison Township community for your continued support of our children and their growth.
